Congrats on deciding to adopt a shelter animal! Shelter pets are so fortunate whenever a compassionate animal lover decides to give them a new chance at a happy life, and today that compassionate animal lover is you!
There are several factors that can impact this big decision; for example, the size of your household, your different family members’ animal preferences, and your own past experience with pets. Whether or not you’ve adopted a rescue pet before, there are some basic things that are helpful to know prior to embarking on this new adventure.
- You Can Take Your Time
There are so many homeless pets living in shelters that you may feel overwhelmed during your initial visit. With all of these fur babies that are in need of a new home, you might even feel pressured into making a quick decision.
It will be much better, for both you and your future furry friend, if you put more time and thought into your decision. Some things to consider could be your current living situation – do you live in a house with a yard or an apartment? If you get a dog, will you be able to let it outside to use the bathroom? Who will let your dog out when you’re away? Do you travel a lot? Another thing to note about these lovable rescue animals is that you might not know what the breed is, and that is okay!
- Be Prepared for the Costs of a Pet
There are a lot of initial costs that can catch some new animal owners by surprise. Both dogs and cats require a lot of care, which can add up very quickly. For example, microchipping your pet is always smart, and you should be prepared for regular and emergency veterinary visits. Bedding for your new family member is a common expense, and you will also need a leather dog collar and leash set, harness, toys, grooming, the list goes on and on.
It is also so important to get your rescue pet spayed or neutered. The awful truth is that millions of cats and dogs are put to sleep every year because there are simply not enough homes for them, and nobody wants to adopt them. The only way to prevent the unnecessary killing of these animals is by doing your part in ensuring that you won’t contribute to the number of unwanted kittens or puppies being born.
- Your New Pet Will be Scared
If you’ve ever seen a cat or dog in a shelter, you probably already know just how stressed and scared they get when in such an anxiety-inducing environment. This is completely normal, even expected. And when you bring your pet home, they will still be scared; after all, a stranger came and picked them up from a loud, stressful environment and put them in a strange car that they’ve never been in before, and then they were released in a whole other brand-new location. Because of this ordeal, you should be sure to give your new pup or kitty plenty of time to find their way around your home and get acclimated to the new environment.
- You Should Begin Training Immediately
When you get a new furry friend, whether it is a cat or dog, you should begin their training right away. The key to having a happy animal is laying down the clear lines and ground rules and guiding them by rewarding positive behavior. If you praise them, they will continue to repeat their good behavior. Consistency is the key to training your new furry friend.
Even consistent feeding is important. Finding a healthy, reliable food option like Visionary Pet will help keep your pup or kitten happy and healthy for a long time. To find the best food option, you can ask a veterinary doctor or do some research yourself by checking out some different brands on the internet and social media, such as Twitter.
