Kelsey Dickerson, AHS’ Media Relations Specialist, told us that when welcoming a new pet into our homes, it’s essential to realize that each and every animal is different and will go at their own pace.

“Although we may be ready to welcome our pets with open arms and lots of cuddles, our pets may not be on that level yet so it is important to give them time and space to acclimate to their new surroundings, becoming comfortable in the home and have time to decompress and de-stress if needed,” she pointed out that we have to be very patient and understanding of our rescue pets.

Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help this process along. “Make sure your pet has a comfortable, safe, and quiet space they know they can go if they need time away or time to themselves. If there are young children in the house, it also is important to ensure that they understand the do’s and don’ts of interacting with pets (i.e. letting pets come up to you for pets/cuddles, don’t get too close to their face, don’t interfere with feeding times, etc.).”

Welcoming new pets into their new forever homes means taking care of their physical and mental needs, too. So have lots of fresh food, water, and proper shelter prepared in advance. Also try to have a safe space for your new pet, some toys, treats, and (most importantly)—plenty of love and care.

Kelsey from the Arizona Humane Society said that adoption doesn’t just add a furry friend to your family; it also supports your local animal shelters in their mission to save lives.

“When looking to adopt a pet, it is extremely important to do your research about not only the type of pet you’d like but also the care and needs of that particular pet. Many shelters and rescues are very open and transparent about a pet’s medical and behavioral background, so it is important to fully understand what a pet will need to ensure it has the best quality of life with your family. If you have questions about a pet’s history or the care it will need moving forward, do not be shy to ask the adoption’s counselors or employees helping you with the adoption process,” she explained.

Kelsey added that it’s vital to be realistic about what you can provide your future best buddy “in terms of resources, space, time, and any ongoing medical or behavioral care it may need.” So a husky puppy will need completely different care from a fully-grown cat. And a rabbit will have different needs from a guinea pig.

“At the end of the day, it is OK if you decide you are not ready to commit to adopting. There are many different ways you can still support your local rescues and shelters and help save the lives of pets that don’t directly involve adopting including volunteering, fostering, becoming a donor, and advocating for strong animal protection laws.”

Meanwhile, ASPCA Adoptions Promotions Manager Kelly DiCicco told Bored Panda that sometimes matches between shelter pets and new owners don’t work out and that’s ok.

“We encourage any pet owner looking to rehome an animal to first reach out to their local animal shelter, who can often provide assistance to enable the pet to stay in a safe and loving home,” DiCicco said.

“Even as they adapt their policies in response to COVID-19, animal welfare organizations are still following effective protocols to ensure pets match their adopters’ lifestyles and can stay with their owners, even when those owners return to a post-pandemic schedule.”

She revealed that the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City hasn’t seen an increase in owner surrenders or stray intakes when compared to the same time period a year ago, in 2019. The same seems to be true for the rest of the country.

“However, during any disaster situation, there’s always a risk that pet owners will not be able to provide adequate care for their pets, so it's important for people, shelters, and communities to prepare for any animal welfare consequences that may result from this crisis.”