Tips for Adopting a Rescue Pet

Tips For Adopting A Rescue Pet
Share!

Tips for Adopting a Rescue Pet

Rescues and shelters are home to several wonderful pets so congratulations on bringing one home. While shelter animals come from several backgrounds, they all share one important fact: they are all furry creatures in search of a home. Animals crave for the attention of their owners and long to be understood and treated like they are part of a family. Just like humans, pets need order and leadership. Here are a few tips that will make adopting a rescue pet a more enjoyable experience:

Tips For Adopting A Rescue Pet

Do Your Research

Before you bring a rescue pet home, make sure you do your research about the particular animal. For example, if you are bringing a dog home read up on information about his breed and try to find information about other attributes that seem important.

Take appropriate measures around the house if your pet is hypoallergenic or sheds. If your pet suffers from allergies, you will have to be more mindful about cleanliness and vacuum the house regularly.

Be mindful of selecting a pet breed that is compatible with your lifestyle.

For example, an independent dog breed is better suited for people who have to go to work.

Also brush up on other important details, such as common health issues and exercise requirements.

Offer Love and Support to Your Pet

Animal shelters are often overflowing with different kinds of dogs and cats. Unfortunately, pets with special needs are deemed as unadoptable even though they’d make great pets.

Consider bringing home a cat with special needs. You might have to slightly modify your home environment but your pet’s love and companion ship with surely make up for it.

Pet -Proof Your Home

Prepare your house to welcome your new guest. Since pet -proofing the entire home is not possible, work on the area your pet will be spending most of his time in.

This may mean storing household chemicals in cabinets, removing plants, storing away valuables, installing gates near the stairs, setting up a crate and most importantly, taping up loose electrical cord to baseboards.

Also talk to your kids about bringing a new pet home. And purchase necessary items for your pet including a collar, ID tags, dog toys, basic grooming tools, water bowls, pet food, a crate and anything else that will make your pet’s welcome more comfortable.

Don’t forget a litter box if you are bringing home a kitty!

Limit Guests for a Few Days

Does your pet seem uneasy around humans? For the first few days, it is best you limit guests. Allow your dog to get comfortable with his new lifestyle by taking things slowly.

When you do have to introduce new people, ask them to cooperate and give them instructions on how to behave in front of your pet. For example, you can ask the guests to offer your dog a treat. This might help your pooch grow more comfortable around different people.

Don’t Make Excuses for Your Pet’s Behavior

Do not make excuses for your pet. Sure, he may have had a rough past but things are different now.

Develop a bond of trust with your animal and house train them. Offer them love, companionship and plenty of exposure to the outside world.

If necessary, take your pet to a professional and talk to the people at the shelter about his background and experiences.

Remember this is a stressful time for your new pet

Your new pet will find their way in their new home, with their new family … but remember that they have had a stressful time being in a shelter. Give them time to decompress.

Who knows how they ended up at the shelter in the first place. Did their family dump them? Imagine the stress and sadness they have felt.

Allow your new pet to adjust in their own time. Give them everything they need, play and also give them their space if they need it. They will come around in time.

Keep these useful tips in mind while adopting a rescue pet.

Have you recently adopted a new pet? Was there anything that happened that you were unsure about? Post in the comments!

Related Blog & Article