After Adoption, We Recommend That You DO The Following....
* Identify Your Pet. A collar & tag with your current contact information should be placed securely on your pet as soon as possible. Tags are available at most pet stores such as PetSmart, Pet Food Express, and PetCo locations. You can also find many websites offering tags at lower costs such as www.pettags.com. If your pet has multiple collars, remember to either affix the tag to whichever collar is currently in use or purchase a separate tag for each collar. That way, you don't have to remember to change them when chaging your pet's collar.
* Register His/Her Microchip. Microchipping is an important tool in keeping your pet safe and locating him/her in the event that he/she is lost. However, microchips do not work if they are not registered. You can find the information needed to register your pet's microchip in your adoption packet. There may be a fee for this registration and you need to be sure that if there is any change in your contact information at any time, that you update the microchipping company promptly. It is also important that your pet wear his/her microchip tag at all times.
* License Your Dog. Once your dog/puppy has received his/her rabies vaccination, he/she will need to be licensed. This is done through your county's animal services department. Licensing is mandatory by law and if found to be unlicensed, dog owners can face large fines. In addition to being a legal matter, current registration provides even more of a defense should your pet become lost. The shelter can identify your dog by his/her registration number as well. Your dog should wear his/her rabies tag on it's collar at all times.
* Establish A Veterinarian. Even though your pet has been recently examined by a veterinarian, it is a good idea to set up an appointment to have your own veterinarian examine the animal within the first week of adoption. If you need suggestions for a veterinarian in your area, we can provide them to you. We also suggest visiting client reviews websites such as www.Yelp.com before visiting an unfamiliar veterinarian.
* Sign Up For Formal Training Classes. Puppies & adult dogs alike need at least basic obedience training. We recommend that this is started dhortly after adopting your new dog. Training provides your dog with confidence, and makes him/her easier to integrate into family life. We would be happy to recommend a trainer in your area.
* Consider Your Pet Insurance. Pet insurance can be extremely helpful when it comes to being able to afford your pet's medical bills. Purchasing an insurance plan is recommended sooner rather than later in order to maximize the coverage allowed. Free qoutes are available in minutes online at www.veterinarypetinsurance.com OR www.trupanion.com
* Feed A Well Balanced Diet. Your pet's diet has a large effect on his/her overall health and is completely controllable by you. We recommend that you take serious consideration in deciding on your pet's diet and remember that the diet should be age apropriate (puppies should have puppy food, adults should have adult food, and seniors should be fed senior food.) In general, new studies are showing that canned food is healthier than dry for pets, therefore we suggest that you feed a mainly canned food diet. We recommend feeding the following brands: Wellness, Primal, Honest Kitchen, or Blue Buffalo animal foods. These brands are of a high natural/organic qaulity and promote optimal health. Most of them can be found at big name pet stores as well.
* Make Your Pet's Dental Care Part Of Your Routine. 80% of all dogs & cats over the age of 2 years have some form of dental disease. Dental disease can cause inflamed & sore gums, rotten & loose teeth, inability to eat, lethargy, pain, and heart/organ failures due to plaque in the bloodstream. Luckily, there are easy ways to help keep your pet's mouth happy & healthy. Brushing his/her teeth is the most effective form of oral care and should be done daily for best results. You can also use a mouth rinse, dental chew, or certain toys made for breaking down tartar. After the age of 2 years, your pet will need his/her teeth cleaned to maintain a sparkling smile.
* Provide Your Dog With Adequate Exercise & Attention. Commit to dedicating time with your pet on a daily basis. Exercise makes for happier pets with less chance of developing behavior problems. We recommend utilizing interactive toys to keep your pet stimulated. Check out your local pet store or search on websites such as www.amazon.com for lower costs on the best toys!
* Invest In A Crate For Your Dog. Crate training can be a useful tool in housebreaking and acclimating your dog to his/her new environment. The key is to use proper crate training methods (Available on our website.) Your dog's crate should be big enough for him/her to lie down, stand up, and turn around. This should be used as a 'safe zone' for your dog and is a one time investment that will serve as your dog's 'room
for his/her lifetime. We recommend a sturdy, wire crate over a plastic one.
* Use A Monthly Flea/Tick & Heartworm Preventative. It is important to keep your pet protected from these parasites year round. Although more prevalent in certain areas, or certain times of the year, it is recommended by the center for disease control and UC Davis veterinary guidelines that ALL dogs/cats have a parasite prevention plan in place on a monthly basis. (It is not necessary for cats living in the bay area to be on a heartworm prevention.) Discuss with your veterinarian which parasite products are right for your pets. Remember that even indoor only animals can become infested with parasites and should be treated monthly to maintain health. Also, parasite prevention products should be purchased directly from your veterinarian and you should avoid buying them from grocery stores or online pet pharmacies. We'd be happy to provide you with more information about this if you are interested!
* Visit Your Veterinarian Annually. This is the most important thing you can do for your pet. Because they age faster than we do, a lot can change in a year's time in regards to your pet's health. Annual examinations are imperitive to the health of your pet.
* Pet-Proof Your Home. Simple measures can be taken to ensure that your pet stays safe inside your home. We recommend that you keep medications & cleansers in a secure place where your pet cannot reach them. Restrict his/her access to household plants which are known to be poisonous to animals. Shut the bathroom door when you have the tun full of water and keep your toilet lid closed to prevent drowning of small animals. Hide or cover electrical cords and keep materials such as yarn & string away from your pet. Make sure your fireplace is screened and keep your washer & dryer doors/lids closed when not in use.
* Invest In A Scratching Post For Your New Cat. A scratching post of any size sprinkled with catnip is an essential for your kitty. As scratching is instinctual for cats & kittens, it is important to supply your cat with a designated area to fulfill his/her scratching needs.
* Clip Your Pets Nails On A Monthly Basis. Nails that are uncared for can actually grow into your pet's feet or be torn by an active pet and become a medical issue. You can either clip his/her nails yourself or have them professionally done at either a groomer or your veterinarian's office.
* Desensitize Your Pet. This can be done in just a few moments each day. We recommend that you play with your pet's feet, toes, ears, eyes, and mouth. The goal is to make your pet not sensitive to being touched in just about any place. This will come in handy when your pet's nails need clipping or he/she needs to be given medication.
* Keep Your New Dog On A Leash. When away from the security of your home, we recommend that you keep your new dog on a leash for the first 6 weeks after adoption. Research shows that it takes a minimum of 6 weeks for an animal to become fully comfortable with his/her new surroundings.
* Consider Keeping Your New Cat Indoors. It is well known that indoor only cats live longer and are healthier animals. They are not subjected to disease, wildlife, cars or other misfortune common among outdoor cats. We suggest that you strongly consider keeping your new cat strictly indoors. If you have adopted a cat whom you plan to allow outside, you should not do so for a minimum of 2 months after adoption. It takes at least this long for a cat to acclimate to jis/her new surroundings. Please realize that if you have adopted a kitten, the time span that he/she should remain indoors may be much longer. We will have discussed this with you at the time of adoption.
* Read Our 'Resources'. We strive to make every adoption as easy as possible for all involved and try to help in the transition wherever needed. In doing so, we have provided a wealth of useful information available on our website at www.theresnoplacelikehomerescue.weebly.com. Simply use the 'Resources' tab to find all of our articles that can be helpful in integrating your new pwt into your home.
* Feed Healthy Treats. Although there is a wide variety of animal treats on the market, we suggest that you only feed high quality treats such as freeze dried liver, dried yams or sweet potatoe, dried chicken jerky or flaked fish for cats. Stay away from things like bones or rawhide chews which can splinter and cause devestating gastrointestinal issues.
* Register His/Her Microchip. Microchipping is an important tool in keeping your pet safe and locating him/her in the event that he/she is lost. However, microchips do not work if they are not registered. You can find the information needed to register your pet's microchip in your adoption packet. There may be a fee for this registration and you need to be sure that if there is any change in your contact information at any time, that you update the microchipping company promptly. It is also important that your pet wear his/her microchip tag at all times.
* License Your Dog. Once your dog/puppy has received his/her rabies vaccination, he/she will need to be licensed. This is done through your county's animal services department. Licensing is mandatory by law and if found to be unlicensed, dog owners can face large fines. In addition to being a legal matter, current registration provides even more of a defense should your pet become lost. The shelter can identify your dog by his/her registration number as well. Your dog should wear his/her rabies tag on it's collar at all times.
* Establish A Veterinarian. Even though your pet has been recently examined by a veterinarian, it is a good idea to set up an appointment to have your own veterinarian examine the animal within the first week of adoption. If you need suggestions for a veterinarian in your area, we can provide them to you. We also suggest visiting client reviews websites such as www.Yelp.com before visiting an unfamiliar veterinarian.
* Sign Up For Formal Training Classes. Puppies & adult dogs alike need at least basic obedience training. We recommend that this is started dhortly after adopting your new dog. Training provides your dog with confidence, and makes him/her easier to integrate into family life. We would be happy to recommend a trainer in your area.
* Consider Your Pet Insurance. Pet insurance can be extremely helpful when it comes to being able to afford your pet's medical bills. Purchasing an insurance plan is recommended sooner rather than later in order to maximize the coverage allowed. Free qoutes are available in minutes online at www.veterinarypetinsurance.com OR www.trupanion.com
* Feed A Well Balanced Diet. Your pet's diet has a large effect on his/her overall health and is completely controllable by you. We recommend that you take serious consideration in deciding on your pet's diet and remember that the diet should be age apropriate (puppies should have puppy food, adults should have adult food, and seniors should be fed senior food.) In general, new studies are showing that canned food is healthier than dry for pets, therefore we suggest that you feed a mainly canned food diet. We recommend feeding the following brands: Wellness, Primal, Honest Kitchen, or Blue Buffalo animal foods. These brands are of a high natural/organic qaulity and promote optimal health. Most of them can be found at big name pet stores as well.
* Make Your Pet's Dental Care Part Of Your Routine. 80% of all dogs & cats over the age of 2 years have some form of dental disease. Dental disease can cause inflamed & sore gums, rotten & loose teeth, inability to eat, lethargy, pain, and heart/organ failures due to plaque in the bloodstream. Luckily, there are easy ways to help keep your pet's mouth happy & healthy. Brushing his/her teeth is the most effective form of oral care and should be done daily for best results. You can also use a mouth rinse, dental chew, or certain toys made for breaking down tartar. After the age of 2 years, your pet will need his/her teeth cleaned to maintain a sparkling smile.
* Provide Your Dog With Adequate Exercise & Attention. Commit to dedicating time with your pet on a daily basis. Exercise makes for happier pets with less chance of developing behavior problems. We recommend utilizing interactive toys to keep your pet stimulated. Check out your local pet store or search on websites such as www.amazon.com for lower costs on the best toys!
* Invest In A Crate For Your Dog. Crate training can be a useful tool in housebreaking and acclimating your dog to his/her new environment. The key is to use proper crate training methods (Available on our website.) Your dog's crate should be big enough for him/her to lie down, stand up, and turn around. This should be used as a 'safe zone' for your dog and is a one time investment that will serve as your dog's 'room
for his/her lifetime. We recommend a sturdy, wire crate over a plastic one.
* Use A Monthly Flea/Tick & Heartworm Preventative. It is important to keep your pet protected from these parasites year round. Although more prevalent in certain areas, or certain times of the year, it is recommended by the center for disease control and UC Davis veterinary guidelines that ALL dogs/cats have a parasite prevention plan in place on a monthly basis. (It is not necessary for cats living in the bay area to be on a heartworm prevention.) Discuss with your veterinarian which parasite products are right for your pets. Remember that even indoor only animals can become infested with parasites and should be treated monthly to maintain health. Also, parasite prevention products should be purchased directly from your veterinarian and you should avoid buying them from grocery stores or online pet pharmacies. We'd be happy to provide you with more information about this if you are interested!
* Visit Your Veterinarian Annually. This is the most important thing you can do for your pet. Because they age faster than we do, a lot can change in a year's time in regards to your pet's health. Annual examinations are imperitive to the health of your pet.
* Pet-Proof Your Home. Simple measures can be taken to ensure that your pet stays safe inside your home. We recommend that you keep medications & cleansers in a secure place where your pet cannot reach them. Restrict his/her access to household plants which are known to be poisonous to animals. Shut the bathroom door when you have the tun full of water and keep your toilet lid closed to prevent drowning of small animals. Hide or cover electrical cords and keep materials such as yarn & string away from your pet. Make sure your fireplace is screened and keep your washer & dryer doors/lids closed when not in use.
* Invest In A Scratching Post For Your New Cat. A scratching post of any size sprinkled with catnip is an essential for your kitty. As scratching is instinctual for cats & kittens, it is important to supply your cat with a designated area to fulfill his/her scratching needs.
* Clip Your Pets Nails On A Monthly Basis. Nails that are uncared for can actually grow into your pet's feet or be torn by an active pet and become a medical issue. You can either clip his/her nails yourself or have them professionally done at either a groomer or your veterinarian's office.
* Desensitize Your Pet. This can be done in just a few moments each day. We recommend that you play with your pet's feet, toes, ears, eyes, and mouth. The goal is to make your pet not sensitive to being touched in just about any place. This will come in handy when your pet's nails need clipping or he/she needs to be given medication.
* Keep Your New Dog On A Leash. When away from the security of your home, we recommend that you keep your new dog on a leash for the first 6 weeks after adoption. Research shows that it takes a minimum of 6 weeks for an animal to become fully comfortable with his/her new surroundings.
* Consider Keeping Your New Cat Indoors. It is well known that indoor only cats live longer and are healthier animals. They are not subjected to disease, wildlife, cars or other misfortune common among outdoor cats. We suggest that you strongly consider keeping your new cat strictly indoors. If you have adopted a cat whom you plan to allow outside, you should not do so for a minimum of 2 months after adoption. It takes at least this long for a cat to acclimate to jis/her new surroundings. Please realize that if you have adopted a kitten, the time span that he/she should remain indoors may be much longer. We will have discussed this with you at the time of adoption.
* Read Our 'Resources'. We strive to make every adoption as easy as possible for all involved and try to help in the transition wherever needed. In doing so, we have provided a wealth of useful information available on our website at www.theresnoplacelikehomerescue.weebly.com. Simply use the 'Resources' tab to find all of our articles that can be helpful in integrating your new pwt into your home.
* Feed Healthy Treats. Although there is a wide variety of animal treats on the market, we suggest that you only feed high quality treats such as freeze dried liver, dried yams or sweet potatoe, dried chicken jerky or flaked fish for cats. Stay away from things like bones or rawhide chews which can splinter and cause devestating gastrointestinal issues.