Millions of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits, and other pets enter shelters and rescues annually. They’re often victims of cruelty or simply surrendered by families who can’t afford to care for them.
Preparing for Your New Pet
When you’re ready to adopt at an HSNY shelter, take a few steps to prepare your home and life for your pet. Ensure you know the pet you want to bring in, including what kind of care it will need. Also, consider how a pet will fit into your family’s daily routine and whether you can accommodate its needs.
For example, will your spouse, roommate, or other household members be able to tolerate hair and dirt? Are there any existing pets in the house who may be frightened by a new animal? If you’ve lost a previous pet, remember that the grief process varies from person to person.
However, it’s essential to be emotionally prepared for the adoption process so that you can begin creating happy memories with your new pet.
Some shelters require potential adopters to submit an application and verify their income or landlord’s permission to have a pet. In contrast, others perform a home visit before allowing someone to leave with a pet.
Bringing Your New Pet Home
Every year millions of animals enter shelters and rescues, looking for their forever homes. Some are strays, some are surrendered by families who can no longer care for them, and some are victims of cruelty or illness.
Many need a new home, medical treatment, and behavioral rehabilitation. Visit a shelter to see the pets available, and consider what you want from a pet. Make sure the whole family is on board with the decision to adopt. Even if your kids have never asked for a dog, they should participate in the decision so that everyone will feel invested in the pet’s success.
Bring all family members to the shelter to meet the pet, and let them interact with it. Then the animal can become accustomed to the smell of his family and learn that humans are his leaders. If you have other pets at home, prepare separate areas for them to avoid fighting over food or toys, and introduce the pets slowly.
Training Your New Pet
Millions of shelter and rescue pets are waiting for loving homes each year, from adult cats and neonatal kittens to dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and other companion animals. Animals from shelters and breed-specific rescue groups tend to cost less than pets purchased at pet stores, and they often come with spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations, and flea and tick treatment included in their adoption fee.
Once you bring your new dog home, help him adjust to his new life by keeping him socialized with people and other pets on a leash and taking him for brief outings in areas where he usually would not find himself, such as the post office, dry cleaner, and bank (if he is allowed).
Make sure he feels physically comfortable by adding a comfy bed or crate to his room, and be sure he can’t get into dangerous things, like cleaning equipment, houseplants, or trash containers.
Taking Care of Your New Pet
When you adopt a pet, you are responsible for their well-being. Pets require a place to sleep and eat, attention, training, exercise, and medical care. Animals that have lived in conditions of neglect or abuse often need a lot of patience and time to trust people again. Consider how your family will support your new pet.
Children can be a great help in making sure your new pet is well cared for and loved. They can also help feed, brush, and play with your pet. Ask about shelter policies for pets and kids if you have young children.
Some shelters do not allow young children to meet animals to prevent them from feeling disappointed if they don’t develop a connection. Some shelters also have wait lists or euthanasia policies that can affect how long it takes for an animal to find a home. Ask about these before you visit shelters with your family.
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