You may have heard the phrase, “Adopt, Don’t Stop” but what does it mean? This slogan is used to encourage people to buy from animal shelters, instead of the pet store or online. Pet store animals often come from mills, where our four-legged friends can be treated poorly and unethically.
Rather than support these practices, many people are choosing to support local shelters that treat their animals with respect.
Before you adopt, what should you know?
Animal’s History
It’s a common myth that all shelter animals have experienced abuse. Some dogs are taken in because of a divorce, cross-country move or the owner’s death. However, it’s still important to ask if the animal displays any signs of physical or emotional abuse.
Learn as much as possible about the animal’s background, so you can make sure your home is prepared.
Ask About Routine
Talk to the shelter workers about the animal’s everyday routine. Eating, sleeping and play times should be kept the same, so as not to disrupt the normal order. Especially for older dogs, sudden changes can be difficult to adapt to, which can compromise trust in the new owners.
Interactions
Get an understanding of the dog’s interactions with other animals and people in the shelter. If you have a family, it’s important to know if the shelter dog will respond well to young children, other pets and new environments. The more you understand her tendencies and preferences the better.
Adjustment Period
Many animal lovers dream of a “love at first sight” meeting with the dog they’re meant to adopt. Yet it takes time to get comfortable with one another. Before going out in public or inviting the whole family over to meet your pup, make sure she is acclimated to her new home and properly socialized with the people who will be in her everyday life.
Being Patient
The virtue of patience is most important under these circumstances. It’s likely you won’t know everything about the dog’s history, so you need to be mindful of how she reacts in new situations. It might be scary for your shelter dog to meet new people or harder to adapt to different styles of training, based on her past experiences.
Once your new pup is ready for daycare, Paw Play For Dogs offers an exciting, comfortable and fun environment while you’re away from home. To learn more about our services, contact us today!