Things To Know Before Adopting a Cat!
Important Facts About Adopting from Stray Haven
We cannot place an animal on hold, if we receive multiple applications on the same animal in a short time frame we choose the home we feel most closely matches the needs of the animal.
All of our cats are as unique as the people looking to adopt. The majority of our cats are housed in communal cat enclosures and are well socialized with people and other adult cats.
Cats and kittens will likely go home the day of adoption, for this reason, we suggest that you prepare your home in advance. Consider having a litter box, food, bedding, and a "safe space" prior to coming to the shelter day on the adoption day. If you have any questions about how to prepare for your new pet please call, our staff is happy to help!
I just adopted a kitten/cat, help!
Each animal is different and adjusts differently however there are some general guidelines. We can tell you our experiences with your pet, but we ALWAYS RECOMMEND that if you have any health concerns contact your primary care veterinarian. We do NOT have a veterinarian on site, nor do we have 24/7 staffing. Please, make sure you're keeping in contact with your primary care veterinarian.
1. Remember the rule of 3. Cats are VERY sensitive it takes about 3 days for cats to adjust to new smells, sounds, tastes, textures, and surroundings. It takes about 3 weeks for cats to adjust to new people and animals. They need to realize their new family is not in competition with them for resources, or a danger to their safety. It takes about 3 months for cats to feel like they fully and truly belong.
2. If you're concerned about a behavior; document, document, document. What time of day did it start? Is it reoccurring? What was the animal/family doing in the 30 minutes prior? Has anything else changed in the last 3 days (remember that rule of 3 for cats to adjust!); i.e. food brand, storms, temperatures, guests, etc.? Keep in mind a veterinarian will usually start with the same questions to establish a baseline, so until you're able to get to a veterinarian consider making notes for yourself to streamline your visit;
a.) Is the animal eating/drinking regularly, or has there been noticeable changes/inconsistencies?
b.) Is the animal urinating/defacating regularly, has there been a change in amount/color/consistency of urine or feces?
c.) Has the animal's routine or environment changed in the last three days?
d.) Has the animal's energy level significantly changed recently?
e.) Has the animal begun to avoid previously appreciated activies; i.e. they used to jump on the counter and have stopped, they used to enjoy scratched behind the ear, but now pull away?
3. We feed our kittens/cats purina kitten/cat chow. If your animal ate something differently, the staff will have told you during the adoption process; other foods are only provided in the event of health/weight loss concerns. Kittens are fed a quarter can of Friskies pate once a day. Adults receive treats and wet food for enrichment or medication. We use wood pellets (available anywhere heating pellets are sold) as our litter, if your animal required a specialty litter for allergy reasons you will have been told during the adoption process.
Things To Know Before Adopting a Dog!
Important Facts About Adopting from Stray Haven
We cannot place an animal on hold, if we recieve multiple applications on the same animal in a short time frame we choose the home we feel most closely matches the needs of the animal.
Our dogs are primarily housed in our kennel building. We do not allow the public in our kennels to reduce the stress levels of our dogs. We have multiple location options for meet and greets at our facility indoor and outdoors. A staff member will bring the dog of your choosing to meet you as quickly as they are available to do so. **Please remember our staff is expected to leash train and extensively walk each dog each day, so there may be a waiting period before the staff member and dog are available. We recommend scheduling a meet and greet ahead of time.
If you have another dog we WILL REQUIRE that the dogs meet on our site prior to your application being approved. You will need to provide proof of rabies prior to the dogs' meeting.
We suggest that you prepare your home in advance. Consider having a crate, or other quiet space to allow for decompression, food, bedding, and a considerable span of time to observe and support the dog's transition. If you have any questions about how to prepare for your new pet please call, our staff is happy to help!
If this is your first dog, or your first time with a new breed, please research the breed and consider signing up for training/support classes as you and your new companion learn to communicate and set boundaries with one another.
I just adopted a puppy/dog, help!
Each animal is different and adjusts differently however there are some general guidelines. We can tell you our experiences with your pet, but we ALWAYS RECOMMEND that if you have any health concerns contact your primary care veterinarian. We do NOT have a veterinarian on site, nor do we have 24/7 staffing. Please, make sure you're keeping in contact with your primary care veterinarian.
1. Remember the rule of 3. Dogs are sensitive it takes about 3 days for cats to adjust to new smells, sounds, tastes, textures, and surroundings. It takes about 3 weeks for dogs to adjust to new people and animals. They need to realize their new family is not in competition with them for resources, or a danger to their safety. It takes about 3 months for dogs to feel like they fully and truly belong.
2. If you're concerned about a behavior; document, document, document. What time of day did it start? Is it reoccuring? What was the animal/family doing in the 30 minutes prior? Has anything else changed in the last 3 days (remember that rule of 3 for dogs to adjust!); i.e. food brand, storms, temperatures, guests, etc.? Keep in mind a veterinarian will usually start with the same questions to establish a baseline, so until you're able to get to a veterinarian consider making notes for yourself to streamline your visit;
a.) Is the animal eating/drinking regularly, or has there been noticable changes/inconsistencies?
b.) Is the animal urinating/defacating regularly, has there been a change in amount/color/consistency of urine or feces?
c.) Has the animal's routine or environment changed in the last three days?
d.) Has the animal's energy level significantly changed recently?
e.) Has the animal begun to avoid previously appreciated activies; i.e. they used to jump on the couch and have stopped, they used to enjoy scratched behind the ear, but now pull away?