#1 Jedo Had A Reduced Adoption Fee At The Shelter Where I Foster. He’s A Senior Gentlemen Doing His Best To Be Handsome! He's Just Been Adopted
Adopting a pet entails so many benefits for both of the involved parties. Welcoming a critter—be it a dog, a cat, a parrot, or any other, for that matter—into their home can improve the owner’s mental and even physical well-being; while for the critter itself, it means finally being cared for and loved.
“Pets are great nonjudgmental companions for both adults and children. It’s also been shown that having a pet reduces stress and reduces risk from heart disease, obesity, asthma, and other health threats,” Fran Marino Endowed Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education Julie Levy told Bored Panda in a recent interview.
#5 Adopted James. He’s About 5 Years Old. He Has Stomatitis And Had To Have All His Teeth Pulled. His Tongue Sticks Out All The Time. He Lost All Of His Hair. It Has Grown Back Except By His Ears. He Has To Take Two Medicines Daily Forever. But, He’s Got A Forever Home To Do It In
It’s clear that no matter how hardworking and loving shelter employees are, such a habitat can’t even come close to the environment in a loving home. “No matter how hard shelter workers try to make the pets comfortable, it’s still an institutional setting that can lead to stress behaviors and illnesses,” Professor Levy said. “That’s why we work so hard to place them in new homes as quickly as possible. That can be a foster home or a forever home.”
#6 We Adopted This Big Guy This Past Weekend, Was Told He Would Hide And Burrow As He Was Quite Timid. This Was Day Two At His Forever Home
#8 Finally Adopted Some Kitties Since Wanting Them All My Life. I Haven't Felt This Happy In A Long While
Animal welfare policies and animal sheltering expert Laura Reese seconded the idea that staying in a shelter is far from the best scenario for any animal. “Animal shelters are very difficult places for pets—lots of noise and stress, limited exercise and interactions with humans and other animals.
“Getting into a home makes a world of difference for their emotional and physical well-being. Being placed in a foster home until adoption helps them a lot, but the goal is to have them adopted.”
#9 Our Senior Shelter Dog Rufus Adopted A Baby Goat Who’s Mama Didn’t Take Her
#10 My Wife Has A Tabby Addiction. All Stray Cats She's Rescued In The Last Year
Both of the experts agree that a pet’s personality tends to change after transitioning into a loving home. “There is a lot of change in behavior and it's difficult to tell in a shelter what a pet's behavior will be like,” Laura Reese pointed out.
She explained that shelter behavior tests are not particularly valid indicators of a pet’s behavior once they get into a home and can relax, as there is always an adjustment period in the new dwelling.
“My dog was very fearful of humans when I adopted her seven years ago. She is still improving even after all this time,” Prof. Reese shared. “Dog personalities are pretty malleable, open to changes in training and treatment. Cats are a bit less so but I regularly foster them, and though they usually come into my house hissing and hiding, working with them slowly and gaining trust allows them to come out of their shells. This will happen in an adoptive home as well.”
#13 Meet Teddy. He Was A Surrender To A Local Shelter Because Of "Behaviors". Their Loss. Just Goes To Show Any Dog Can Be A Good Dog With Training And Love
#14 Rescued Squirrel (Named Cricio) Falling Asleep In My Mum's Lap (Oc)
“We have to remember to give pets some grace when they’re transitioning from a shelter to a new home,” Julie K. Levy emphasized. “There’s a lot to take in—new people, a new house, and sometimes other pets to make new friends with. But it’s remarkable how quickly a pet’s personality can change from a reactive or depressed shelter pet to a happy and relaxed family member in a ‘real home’.”
#15 My Newly Adopted Dog. She’s Very Energetic And Playful. Loves The Ocean
#17 When I Adopted Toby They Said He Was Vicious... The Only Thing Correct About That Is He Is Viciously Cute 💕
After bringing our family dog home from a shelter just over three years ago, I have seen with my own eyes the change he went through. Shy and fearful at first, he is now… still shy; but far less fearful. Over time, he started to show off his personality more and more, and figure out what to do with these unflavorful knick knacks I give him—it’s safe to assume that he hadn’t had that many toys in his life before the shelter or before the forever home. Needless to say, the situation is much different now.
Expert in shelter animal wellness Julie K. Levy pointed out that when it comes to a dog’s adjustment to the new home, shelters often refer to the ‘3-3-3-Rule’. “A good rule of thumb to remember is it takes about three days to decompress from shelter life and the big transition; they may be scared or confused. Give them space, let them rest, do not force interactions, be patient and positive.
“It takes about three weeks for the dog to understand the new routine,” she continued. “Be consistent in feeding and play times and set boundaries and expectations using only positive reinforcement as they let their guard down.
“It takes about three months for the dog to fully bond with and become part of the family. They feel trusting and secure in their new routines and their true personality shines through.”