Dogs, cats or small animals: adopting a new furry friend is a very exciting decision! You will soon be faced with a variety of new experiences and emotions. From the moment you return home with your newly adopted friend, there are many things to consider in order to help your pet settle into his or her new home. Here are seven quick tips to consider, to make the transition easier on both you and your animal friend.
- If you’re a homebody who loves to curl up on the couch, make sure you get an animal who has a personality to match. Take our fun, science-based Meet Your Match® survey first to see if you and your potential new furry friend are compatible.
- Integrating your new furry friend into your household takes time, especially if you have other animal companions already at home. Check out our blog for tips on introducing your cat to your home.
Learn how to help your new dog or puppy adjust to their new home.
- Be sure to have a primary care veterinarian lined up before you bring your new furry friend home. That clinic down the street from your house may not be accepting new patients! Getting in touch with a local veterinarian BEFORE your new furry friend is due for their annual checkup is a good idea. (Your new furry friend from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society will be up-to-date on their vaccinations, spayed or neutered and microchipped, but an annual health checkup will keep your companion animal happy and healthy for years to come!)
- Letting animals loose in vehicles is not a safe idea for people or animals. Have a dog or cat crate ready (for inexpensive options, ask to borrow from a friend, browse garage sales or search online) to transport your new furry family member home.
- Select a quiet, cozy spot in your home for your new furry friend’s bed and possessions. It can take time to get used to a new household routine. Having their own space away from high-traffic areas of your house will give them a safe place to rest until they’re ready to confidently explore.
- Talk to your adopted animal’s caregivers about his or her current pet food. Making a sudden switch can be hard on an animal’s digestive system. If you are planning on changing food types or brands, mix the old food to the new in incremental ratios to prevent stomach upset.
- Give your furry friend time to adjust to their new house and the people in it. Quality time together, whether it be playing, grooming or just resting in the same space together, will help build that bond that will last a lifetime.
We are so excited that you’ve opened your heart and home to an animal in need of a loving home. Congratulations on your new addition, and with our adoption tips you’ll be well on your way to adoption success!
Learn more about our Adoption Process.
iAdopt for the Holidays
Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? With many people enjoying time off during the holidays and being home together as a family, the holidays are a great time to do so with our iAdopt for the Holidays campaign. Together, you can spend time with your new furry friend and help them settle into their new home.
To give an animal in need the gift of a loving forever home this holiday season visit iadopt.ca
Already adopted an animal? Enter to win Ontario’s Cutest Adopted Animal Photo Contest. The contest will run from Nov. 14 to Dec. 18, with weekly prizes to be awarded, as well as one grand prize, as voted on by our followers. Contest entrants will upload a photo of their pet. The photo with the most votes wins the grand prize. The weekly prize winners will be randomly selected, one per week.
Share a picture in our gallery at iadopt.ca.
If you’d like to make a lasting difference in an animal’s life, consider donating today. Visit ontariospca.ca for all of the ways you can give to animals in need this holiday season.
