Get in line if you’ve been having dreams about walks and fetch lately. As people around the nation prepared to hide in place and wanted a dog to give them an excuse to see the sun a few times a day, adoption rates soared tremendously through the spring at many animal shelters (and a new pal, of course). For instance, compared to the prior four weeks, adoption queries on Petfinder.com increased by 122% between March 15 and April 15. Foster applications increased as well, as more people found themselves unexpectedly with plenty more free time to spend with puppies.
That can mean that your adoption or foster care journey will require some patience, depending on where you live. Particularly small or independent shelters and rescue groups frequently lack the infrastructure needed to promptly process applications. Not to mention, all animal shelters, rescue organizations, and puppy foster parents have had to create new procedures for interviewing and vetting prospective pet owners. However, you are not required to pass the time while you wait for your application to be approved. Before you take Fido to his forever home, you will need the following, according to the experts.
Bell advises stocking up on a few necessities before taking your new dog home. First, especially if you’re bringing home a puppy, make sure your home is dog-proofed. Moving any cords or wires, toys, ornamental things, or shoes out of reach of chewing mouths is a good idea. Also, make sure your cabinets and any exterior escape routes are secure. Additionally, you should find a veterinarian for your pet; the rescue or foster home can frequently make recommendations. A vet can also make a diet recommendation that is suitable for your pet’s stage of development, nutritional requirements, and way of life.
Start them off with a Kong or something chewable, but hold off on shopping any toys until you have a better idea of the kinds of games your dog enjoys. Bell additionally advises transporting them home while wearing a martingdale or harness, which tightens around their neck without having the “choke” effect of a chain collar. That will prevent them from escaping if they decide to run away from something by slipping out of a typical collar.
Even if you chose to get a dog because you are now spending more time at home, keep in mind that this won’t always be the case. Bell advises crate training so they have a safe and secure area to relax if they need some alone time as well as while you’re away. Bell advises leaving your pet alone for varied durations of time multiple times during the day. Put the dog in the crate at various times, for lengths varying from 5 minutes to many hours, when they can see you, when they cannot see you — and always put a favorite toy or safe chew item in there with them. Dogs catch up on routines very fast.
Consider fostering if you’re seeking for a pet right now but aren’t sure if you can commit to having it forever. Fostering is a wonderful experience for those who decide to take on the role of caretakers and can provide you the chance to significantly improve the life of an animal. There is no better setting than a loving home for a dog or cat to become accustomed to the sights, sounds, and experiences that will prepare them for a successful adoption in the future.
