It happens all too often: you find a partner for your rescued pet, walk them through the application process, provide them with all the resources and knowledge possible to help them become pet owners. …and you get a call about two weeks later saying things aren’t working. Too often new adopters come to the rescue with the best of intentions and the most loving hearts, but they are unable to reconcile their expectations of what having a new pet will be like with what it is. really. For some reason people expect pets to fall into this category of expectation as if they don’t have a personality of their own and the reality often manifests in post-adoption remorse or a ” puppy blues”.
And now ? Obviously the animal would be better off with the rescue rather than a family that doesn’t want it, right? But hold the phone! It’s easy to judge this family or this adopter, but having already approved the application, we know that this adopter has the potential to bring so much love and joy to this animal. So how can we help you?
Knowledge is power
You’ve already made your adopter recognize that new pets require a period of adjustment, but have you made sure they understand what that means? Shout out to the rule of 3s here, because it’s something simple to keep in your adopter’s mind that will help them get into the cold reality of the situation. They may already love their new pet, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready to love them back. This is the first thing they must understand. It will only get better if given time.
Moreover, by referring to a practical guide to bring their new kitten Or puppy at home can help them figure out what questions they need to ask you as a rescue! People don’t know what they don’t know, do they? And on adoption day, how many adopters actively listen to what you say instead of imagining what they think bringing Fluffy home will be like? Remind them of the resources available to them and encourage them to ask more questions.
They are only human
Remind your adopter that this feeling is temporary. They are probably exhausted, especially if they have adopted a puppy or a pet that is only partially educated. We’ve all experienced the “not yet” headache that appears after the same dog’s third cleaning because he’ll spray a little on the outside but won’t empty the tank. But even if they have adopted a cat or a rabbit, they still change their daily routine. Such changes take time and patience, and even if a new habit forms, they may feel stressed. Sympathize with them, sympathize with them, this East your daily life! They’re not the only ones feeling overwhelmed.
Support network
Now is a great time to ask your adopter if their family is keeping up their end of the bargain or is part of the problem being that only one person is facing the effort? Many of us are familiar with shows like “My Cat From Hell” or “It’s Me or the Dog” and the number one thing they stress is that everyone needs to be involved. Behaviorists are another great resource you can introduce to the family! Research your local coaches to find someone you like and see if they would be willing to extend a partnership with your rescue. Or if your animal shelter uses Pawlytics as management software, you can also use OUR partnership with animal academy! They are a fantastic company that provides text support for behavioral issues faced by adopters and foster families. What’s even better is that rescues are set up with a dashboard where they can monitor communication to make sure their advice aligns with your values.
progress is progress
At this point, they have the tools they need. They feel confident again now that they know this is not a unique case and everything is getting better from now on, but they are still a little worried. “What if those feelings come back? What if I do all the right things and the situation still doesn’t improve?
First, reassure them that you are a non-judgmental zone and only want what is best for the animal. Second, challenge them to track their efforts. Gamify the integration of their new pet into their family. Tell them to identify two or three main problems that they really want to improve and the steps to take to get there. By monitoring their progress over a few weeks, they will be able to prove that things get better, instead of just guessing.
At the end of the day, we all want the best for the pets in our care, and if the adopter they’re with just isn’t the furry-tailed partner you were hoping for, that’s okay! You now have more information about the type of house and lifestyle that will best suit this animal!