Helpful Tips

Helpful Hints Once You Are Home

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/steps-to-take-before-during-and-after-adoption-save-the-shelter-pets/57432/

Go to a training class

Puppies aren't always easy to train, especially when their cuteness gets in the way of efforts to establish boundaries and rules. Taking an obedience class is a simple way to teach an animal the proper way to behave, while also creating an important bond between the animal and its family. “The more you can share a language with your dog, the less behavioral issues there are later on,” Bernstein said. “Making sure the pet is healthy, happy, and taking a training class as a whole family makes it a more enriching experience, and everyone will be happier in the end.”

Don't sweat it if youR new pet is shy

Dogs, tend to want to hide when they first get in a new environment. Shelters recommend leaving shy animals alone to get used to their new home on their own terms, which means not following the pet around as they explore. Also, even if they were housebroken in the shelter, animals can revert back to old behavior when scared. “If you see a dog acting funny, it’s most likely because of their new environment,” Knight said. “It’s important to remember they do grow out of it.”

Keep asking questions

Many shelters encourage families to call when they need anything -- these are the places that know a lot more about the animal than their new family. It's also good to keep up-to-date with your vet. They can answer health-related questions, as well as give the recommended yearly vaccinations. “We have a behavior department that will answer any questions the adopters have,” Knight said. “Also follow up with your vet, make sure you have your vaccinations every year.”

Track your animal

Animals can stray away from home and get lost, and to make sure it's easier to find your beloved pet, experts recommend registering your animal, or putting a microchip in them. This way if someone finds them and returns them to a shelter, an employee can scan for the pet's unique ID number and contact the pet recovery service, which will connect them with the owner.

Send pictures

An easy way to say thanks to a shelter for all their hard work: send photos of the animal in its happy new home. Many workers don't get to say goodbye to animals before they get adopted, so keeping up-to-date with them is affirmation that they went with the right family. “A lot of adopters really understand how much we put in to the animals we care and get attached and want us to be reassured they went to a good home,” Wong said. “This is very thankless job, and it’s such a nice morale boost to hear success stories.”

Coffey, Lauren. "Pet Adoption 101: What to Do Before, During and After a Shelter Visit." NBC 10 Boston, NBC Universal Media, 25 July 2018, www.nbcboston.com/ news/local/steps-to-take-before-during-and-after-adoption-save-the-shelter-pets/ 57432/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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