rehomed

Everyday

1. (euphemism, everyday) of a pet: given away to new owners because the old owners could not or would not keep it. tree →
2. of a person or thing: moved to a new home. tree →

In the lessons

Used by pet owners, shelters and parents to make giving a pet away sound caring; everyday, all regions, especially UK. Sometimes parents use it to hide that a pet died or was put down.

Examples

• Our old cat was rehomed when we moved to a flat. tree →
• The shelter rehomed fifty dogs last month. tree →
• "Biscuit has been rehomed to a farm," Mum said, and we never asked again. tree →
• The rabbits need to be rehomed together. tree →
• The charity rehomes ex-racing greyhounds. tree →
• A rehomed dog may be nervous at first. tree →

Note

Not the same as "adopted", though close. Children's trap: "sent to live on a farm" is sometimes a story told instead of saying a pet died. In maths, rehomed animals are often taken away from a total.