02/02/2021
BOON. Puppies, and pets in general, have been a boon to us during the quarantine. Whether it’s a desire to add some company to a quiet household, to fill the void left by a previous pet who is no longer living, or simply to keep the family occupied with a new family member, pet adoptions across the nation have exploded.
Puppyhood during a pandemic (or anytime) can be stressful. In fact, adoption of any new animal - cat, dog, scorpion, bearded dragon - can be stressful. A recent survey found that 73% of those who became pet parents for the first time this year have considered re-homing once the pandemic ends; 25% claimed they didn’t have enough information to properly care for their dog; more than half (58%) say they wish taking care of their pet’s health didn’t take so much time; and 33% were surprised to find out how much it costs to care for their pet.
Here are my Top 5 Ways Avoid Being Re-Homed (If You’re a Dog)
1. Make sure your prospective parents thoroughly understand the energy level you need. Thousands of dogs a year are relinquished to the shelter or re-homed because the energy level of the dog and the family don’t match.
2. Remind your new family to focus on training. A well trained dog is a happy dog. Undesirable behavior is one of the leading causes of adoption failures.
3. Your family hopefully understands the cost of having a non-human family member. Veterinary visits can be expensive; it's helpful to accurately determine your financial wherewithal before adopting. Veterinary health insurance, a pet health savings account, or another option, make sure you’re financially prepared for unexpected health events.
4. The 4 -ize’s. Exercise, Socialize, Immunize, and Deparasitize . Have your family focus on these four from the moment you come home to keep you healthy and out of the doctor’s office.
5. Hopefully your family is on watch for scammers looking to capitalize. A “donation” to adopt a rescue dog may inadvertently support unscrupulous breeders. 4,300+ complaints about puppy and kitten fraud were logged by Dec. 31, with losses topping $3.1 million. So always do your research.
Lean on your veterinary medical team. We are here to help.