What to Expect From Your New Companion
The staff at North Shore Animal League America provides the best possible care for all our animals during their stay at the shelter. Despite our best efforts to make their environment as comfortable and pleasant as possible, living in a kennel is stressful.
Some of our animals come to us from other animal control facilities, while others come from regular families that can no longer take care of them. Some have recently been separated from their mothers and littermates, and some from families they had learned to trust. Some have recently been spayed or neutered, while others may have ailments such as upper respiratory infections due to weakened immune systems caused by stress. Their ages range from infants to seniors. However, one unfortunate common denominator is that they have all experienced loss and are probably confused and/or scared.
Lucky for them, there are people like you. You come along and instantly fall in love with these adorable, vulnerable animals, and you bring one home. While he is certainly happy to be out of a cage, he still can feel lost and confused. It’s important to realize that “home” is just another new place to the animal. He does not know you and is unsure of your intentions. Go slow.
Please remember...
Do not attempt to over compensate for any hard times he may have experienced in the past by being too permissive. You are not responsible for this animal being in the shelter. You are responsible for taking him out of the shelter.
There is no need to entertain your new pet. Moving from a cage into your home is stimulating enough for the time being.
Limit the amount of company you have for the first few weeks.
Do not expect instant devotion. You are strangers. He is in a strange place. Do not force yourself on the animal. Since he is unsure of your intentions, attention can be perceived as confrontational, especially to a frightened animal. The less interest you show him the more interest he will show you. "Less is More."
Give him time to adjust. Like any new relationship, this one also requires time, patience and understanding. The animal will warm up at his own pace, which may differ from your expectations.
Ask for help. The staff at North Shore Animal League America is committed to the successful placement of each animal in our care. We offer support with behavioral issues through free orientation classes, low-cost group classes, private in-home training, and educational literature and phone support.
For more information on this service & our individual package prices please call (516) 812-7264. Fill out our In Home Training Questionnaire!
Your Pet's Behavior
A change of environment often triggers temporary behavioral problems such as inappropriate urination.
Some animals will feel overwhelmed at first and want to hide or escape; this is especially true of cats. Kittens may be more resilient.
A dog may become defensive, taking on the position, "the best defense is a good offense." In other words, "I'll show them how tough I am so they don't hurt me."
As "pack animals," some dogs may "test" to find out where they stand in the social hierarchy of your family.
Living alone in a cage provides little stimulation. In a new environment, the animal may become easily over-stimulated and become "testy" or hyperactive.
How quickly the animal adjusts to your home is dependent on the animal's individual personality and your behavior.
Your Behavior
Make sure your new pet is secure in your car for his journey home.
When arriving home, make sure the animal is secure before opening the car door.
As soon as you arrive home, show your new pet to his toilet area .This may be a litter box, paper or one spot on your property, depending on the type and age of the animal.
Show him the location of his bed, food and water dishes.
While supervised, give him space to explore his new surroundings. If you have planned ahead, your home should be puppy or kitten proof and free of any potential hazards.
Provide your pet with his own area, a safe haven where he can go and be left alone. This should not be an isolated area such as a basement. Never confine a dog behind closed doors.
Cats should initially be confined in a quiet room with a closed door and a window to look out. This will provide a stress-free environment where the cat can become accustomed to the smells and sounds of the household. He should have his food, water and bed on one side of the room and the litter box on the other side.
Be especially careful around doors to prevent escape. Do not allow a cat to go outside and a dog should not go out unsupervised for the first few weeks. Be aware of any small spaces in your home where a cat can become trapped.
Keep a leash or a tether (a light cotton rope) on the dog or puppy when you are home. This provides you with control without having to grab or startle the dog. Be sure to soak the leash/tether in nasty tasting mouthwash first, to keep the dog from chewing it.
Dogs are pack animals and live by a social hierarchy. Establishing consistent rules such as forbidding the dog to be on the furniture, will help the dog to understand that you are "the pack leader" and authority figure.
Establish a schedule for feeding and appropriate play. Cats should always have access to a litter box and dogs should be taken out on a schedule to the same spot to eliminate. Dogs should be taken for walks off your property as well to diversify their environment and allow for proper socialization.
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516.883.7575