SVFA Paws to Consider: Are you ready to adopt a pet? Tips for getting ready...

Bringing a new pet home is an exciting time for individuals and families. Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals (SVFA) wants to share some tips for a successful adoption experience.

Please consider these factors before you adopt:

Landlord approval. If you are renting an apartment or house you need to get your landlord’s approval to have a pet. There may be a deposit required in the event your pet causes damage to the home. This can be an expensive lesson if you’re forced to return the animal to the rescue since most times the adoption fee in non-refundable. Plus, being returned to the shelter can be a stressful experience for the animal.

Other household members. Other household members should meet the pet before you decide to adopt and approve of you bringing a new pet home. You should also consider anyone’s allergies, fears or discomfort associated with animals, or expectations in sharing pet care responsibilities.

Cost. Consider the initial and ongoing costs of a new pet. These costs may include food, grooming, obedience training, pet supplies, licensing, and veterinary care.

Other pets. SVFA recommends that you don’t immediately expose your existing pets to a new one. Consider how you’ll manage an isolation period and be sure all existing pets are up to date on vaccinations and other routine health care before bringing a new pet home. Facilitating positive pet-to-pet introductions will require some management on your part, too. Not all pets are instant friends and may require temporary or intermittent separation to ensure a smooth transition. Some pets are happy to share their home within a week or two, others may take a month or longer to adjust. Talk with your rescue facility for tips on introducing your pet to its new environment.

Time commitment. All dogs and cats making the transition to a new home will need time to adjust to a new family and may require housetraining and behavior training to correct problem behavior. If you aren’t prepared to invest time to teach your new pet appropriate behavior and helping the animal adjust, you should not adopt a pet.

Positive reinforcement-based training is recommended for all newly adopted dogs and cats. Dogs and cats may live 12 to 15 years or more, and providing them with basic needs (food, water, shelter), medical care, and loving attention is important until the very end.

Pet supplies. Before bringing your dog, cat or critter home, make sure you have the supplies to properly care for the newest member of your household. From toys and leashes to treats and litter boxes, being ready to meet your pet’s needs is crucial.

Family introduction. All family members, children especially, should be aware of how to interact with a new pet. It is important that children understand that it is intimidating to most animals if people try to “kiss” or nuzzle them face to face. Children have been bitten on the face when they innocently try to do this. Animals also dislike when people try to stare them down. In nature this is a dominant or aggressive gesture between animals. Always supervise children when they interact with a new pet. Children also watch adults to get tips on properly playing with pets, so be a good influence on them.

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Mark your calendars for SVFA’s upcoming Wags and Whiskers annual fund raiser on Saturday, April 8, from 5-7 p.m. at the Eagles. Among the events being planned are a Norwegian raffle, silent auction, cake or “dessert” walk, and free-will spaghetti supper. All fund-raiser proceeds go directly to benefitting homeless animals in our area. We use these funds for veterinary care, spaying/neutering, microchipping, foster care supplies, and providing animal care (as funds are available) for individuals who need emergency care for their pet and cannot afford it. Applications are available online for anyone considering adoption, foster care housing, or who want to become a member of Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals. Go to www.svfanimals.org to find these applications or for more information about SVFA. We are also on Facebook.

We hope you will join us on April 8. It’s a great opportunity to feed your Easter guests while helping out homeless animals!