{"id":3268,"date":"2019-11-19T20:15:29","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T01:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=3268"},"modified":"2019-11-19T20:16:52","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T01:16:52","slug":"challenges-with-shelter-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/challenges-with-shelter-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Challenges with Shelter Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Adopting a new pet<\/a> is an exciting time, especially when you\u2019re also doing good by choosing a shelter dog or cat. Adoption helps free up rescues and shelters, provides love, housing, and care to homeless pets, and creates an awareness of the importance of adopting versus buying pets<\/a>. Some of our most loving and loved pets have come from shelters or rescues, but these pets can also come with challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services<\/a> wants to cover a few common challenges with shelter pets or rescues, in order to better prepare you for a successful and informed adoption process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Behavioral Issues Among Rescue Pets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Behavioral issues are common among the homeless pet population. Many of these animals have faced traumatic and abusive backgrounds<\/a>, or have experienced some degree of neglect. It will take extra care at first to help them adjust to family life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety and Fear<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most pets will be apprehensive when you bring them home. Rescued animals often react more fearfully than a normal pet might. Much of this has to do with a lack of socialization or stress. Those who have been at the shelter longest usually have the most anxiety. As you might imagine, a shelter is loud, bright, noisy, and chaotic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will take time to get your pet acclimated to their new home. Create a calm, quiet, secure place for them while they adjust to your home. Introduce other pets slowly, preferably after a week of adjustment, so that your new pet will be more laid back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggression<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A big proponent of aggression is an underlying fear. If you introduce your pet to other animals in the home, there may be immediate conflict<\/a>. Your resident cat or dog will try to protect their territory if a new pet suddenly is there, in \u201ctheir space\u201d. Reduce this reaction with how you introduce your new pet. We recommend a slow introduction, in a neutral spot like a park, when bringing in a new dog to meet other resident dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accidents and Marking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not being litter box trained or housebroken is a big problem for shelter pets, and one that ends up landing them back in the shelter. Understand that your pet will be afraid and may not know where to \u201cgo\u201d until you train them. They may even be afraid to go in certain places if another animal in the home is dominating them or marking territory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other issues that contribute to litter box or housebreaking problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n