What an exciting time in a new pet parent’s life! And with kitten season still in full swing, the timing couldn’t be better! When you adopt an animal from our shelter, you bring love and hope into a homeless animal’s life.
Now that you’ve decided to bring in a new family member, it’s time to prepare. Keep in mind that it’s totally normal for animals to act shy or nervous once they leave the kennel. It takes time to adjust! While this can be unsettling, there are ways for you to help ease some of the stress for your animal.
Here’s what to expect and how you can work with your newly adopted friend(s)!
If you’re taking home a cat:
- Cats need 5 to 10 minutes to adjust to their new surroundings and feel safe. Place the cat’s carrier on an elevated surface & cover the front and two sides with a towel (a pheromone-infused towel is even better!). If they need to wait for longer than 10 minutes, they should be placed in a kennel with access to water, a hiding space and a litter box.
- During an exam or when handling, place a nonslip surface for cats or dogs to stand on. This will help them feel more comfortable in a stressful situation.
- Best practice for transporting a cat in a carrier:
- Place a small blanket or towel at the bottom of the carrier.
- Once the cat is inside, place a towel over the carrier to reduce visual stimuli.
- Support the base with your hands and wrap your arms around the carrier to prevent excessive shaking and the feeling of unsteadiness while walking.
If you’re taking home a dog:
- Approach slowly and calmly without looking directly at the dog. Allow them time to approach you to see if they are interested in interacting.
- Approach dogs offering your side rather than head on.
- Looming over or leaning in can seem threatening.
- Avoid reaching into a dog’s personal space, this includes not reaching your hand out to allow a dog to sniff it.
- Always give yourself freedom of movement when interacting with a dog. Use a chair to sit on rather than kneeling or sitting on the floor.
Adopting from Heidi’s Village has perks!
When you adopt an animal from Heidi’s Village, you adopt an animal that’s been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped, and more. Their medical records are also prepared and ready to take home, so your veterinarian will have everything they need to care for them moving forward!
Where can I learn more about working with my new animal?
In our adoption process, our staff will be available to answer questions about an animal as it may pertain to your unique situation. If you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll get more tips and tricks on how to work with them, too!
