General Tips for Bringing Home A New Pet

Anytime you are introducing a new animal into your home there are many things to consider. Though some of those things are certainly species, breed, and situation specific there are some general guidelines that really apply to ANY new introduction.

Prepare Ahead for Your New Pet's Arrival

• Have a plan in place for integration.

• Have the physical space prepare prior to bringing the new animal home.

Get Everyone On Board

• Make sure the entire family knows the plan.

• Be clear about who the leader is for this happy event.

Go Slowly When Introducing Your Pet

One of the MOST common causes of failed adoptions is impatience when introducing more than one animal. TIME is a critical component of success. Make sure to allow your new animal to learn your routine and develop trust.

Be Consistent With New Animals

• Your new family member will learn your routine, and learn to trust you most quickly if you are consistent

• It’s much easier to settle in and to trust when you know what to expect

Limit Company (at least at first)

We know you want to show off the newest love of your life, but company in the early stages can be disruptive

Imagine if you were visiting a friend in a foreign country where you didn’t speak the language. Imagine that before you even knew where you’d be sleeping they had a house full of visitors (who you cannot understand), trying to touch you and talk to you.

Offer Safety and Security When Bringing Pets Home

When you bring home any new animal it takes TIME for the relationship to develop.

Shelter animals have often been through so many things before getting to your loving home that they might need a little “extra” time to adjust. It’s not always easy to know who to trust, and it will take time!

Giving them a safe place, being consistent, and affording them the opportunity to learn that your home is a loving safe haven can go a LONG way to making this a successful match.

These tips might seem simple, but they can make a tremendous difference is how seamlessly your new family member fits into your home. They can sometimes be the difference between adoption success and adoption failure so we urge you to consider all of these elements as you form your new Fur-ever family! If you believe that you're ready to take on a new animal, consider fostering or adopting from the Little Guild.