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Resources for HSSW Adopters
Congratulations on welcoming a new family member into your home! Adopting a new pet is an exciting time. Along with that excitement, you might find you have some questions or need a little additional help. Below, you'll find links to helpful tips and information that can help with common questions after adopting.
Post-Adoption Concerns
Many pets need a little time to adapt to their new environment. Remember: moving to a new home is a big change and can be stressful. And while many things may be expected when you take a new pet home, you may also end up with some questions! We're here to help with general guidance for post-adoption resources. If you have questions about behavior or medical issues, please see below.
Having a sick pet can be stressful, but it's not uncommon. Upper respiratory viruses in dogs and cats (much like the common cold in humans) can be transmitted easily in the shelter environment. In many cases, symptoms may not be visible at the shelter, and develop days later after the pet has arrived home.
Adopters are encouraged to visit their primary vet for a wellness visit as soon as possible after adopting. Included in the HSSW Adoption Packet is a certificate for free wellness exam at local VCA hospitals. This certificate applies to exams within 14 days of adoption, and can be extended to cover the first available wellness appointment should one not be available within 14 days of adoption.
If you have a post-adoption medical concern, call us at 360.213.2618 or email [email protected].
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please seek professional medical support from your family vet or nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
We are unable to provide medical care to owned pets. We may be able to provide general advice related to questions about your pets general health or any signs of respiratory infection; guidance for any medication your pet was prescribed by HSSW staff and sent home with you when you adopted; questions related to any surgical or medical procedures your pet underwent at HSSW prior to adopting (post-adoption care for dental extractions, spay neuter, etc.).
After heading home, it takes some time for pets to adjust to their new environment. Make sure to give your pet plenty of time to get used to this new, exciting life. Remembering a few simple guidelines can help:
Keep it simple. Your pet will want to settle into their new home so try to limit any extra excitement until they've had time to adjust.
Play it safe. If you adopted a dog, make sure he always wears his collar and stays on-leash when you're in an unfenced area. We recommend you do not visit a dog park or other areas with lots of dog traffic right away.
Go slow. Your pet has just experienced a lot of change. While it's important to introduce habits like house-training and establish boundaries for acceptable behavior in the home, try not to overwhelm them with more than just the basics of home life in the first few days.
You'll find a list of tips and strategies for managing common behaviors, training resources, and more on our Resources Page.
If you have a post-adoption behavior concern, or you need a little help, call us at 360.693.4746 or email [email protected].
Adopted Dogs
During your adoption process, you likely received information about what to expect when you come home with your new dog. Things like introducing them to your resident pets, establishing a new routine, and more. And you may find that you have more questions! Take a look at the links below for more support.
In-Person Dog Training Classes
Help your new best friend be their best with dog training at HSSW. We have classes available to help with basic manners, resources to help your new puppy settle into their home, and even support you and your dog with classes for reactive dogs and one-on-one support. Classes at HSSW utilize positive reinforcement training methods to shape and modify behavior and build a strong foundation of respect between you and your dog. Learn more about dog training classes and other resources at the link below.
Virtual Dog Training
Some dogs learn best in a comfortable, familiar environment. And we know that pet owners need training options that work for them. To help our community of pet owners access training on demand, HSSW has partnered with the professionals at GoodPup to offer comprehensive and accessible one-on-one training with a certified trainer. Sessions are entirely virtual and performed through the GoodPup app or website and can be scheduled at your convenience.
When you register for GoodPup at this link, you'll receive your first week free and 10% off for life. And best of all, when you register through the link, GoodPup will make a donation to HSSW.
Adopted Cats
Now that you're home with your new cat or kitten, they may be purring contentedly on your lap, chasing around their new toys, enjoying the view, or hiding under the bed (or all of these throughout the day). Settling in to a new environment takes time, but some of the information below could help you better support your new feline friend.
Questions?
Contact our team at [email protected]
