Taking on the responsibility of adopting a pet is commendable. But before doing so, you must first check if you’re suited for it. For Queenstown Veterinary Hospital owner Dr. Marianne Bailey, your lifestyle is the number one factor to consider. 

“If you work long hours or you travel a lot, getting a dog that has a lot of energy [and] needs a lot of exercising might be a mismatch,” Dr. Bailey told WMDT.

However, many people subscribe to several myths about pet adoption. One of them is that pets in a shelter aren’t domesticated enough to be adopted into someone’s home. 

Pet behaviorist Dr. Tammie King debunked this, saying behaviors can be modified. As she pointed out in an interview with Mars, newly adopted pets won’t feel at home for the first three weeks. 

She says, “Be mindful of this and work with your new adopted pet to bring out their best side.”

Many people are apprehensive about adopting a pet from a shelter because of the uncertainty of their behaviors. This may be especially true for previously abused animals. 

Dr. King advises creating a routine involving many positive pet experiences in such cases. She recommends establishing consistency in where pets eat, sleep, and go to the toilet while encouraging desirable behaviors such as chewing and scratching appropriate items.

While there are specific behavioral issues among pets adopted from a shelter, Dr. King points out that cats and dogs, for example, have needs and personalities specific to them. To avoid potential problems, she urges allowing new pets to express themselves naturally. 

Dr. King suggests providing mental stimulation through food-dispensing toys, scratching posts for cats, and physical exercise. But if you need professional assistance, you can always consult shelters for advice on individual pet traits. 

Now, we’d like to hear from you, readers. Do you have any helpful pet adoption tips to share? What would be your best advice to first-timers considering welcoming a new furry friend into their home? Share them in the comments!