When to Know That You Need to Return the Adopted Cat

As long every bit your reason for returning the domestic dog or cat is reasonable, yous'll exist welcome to adopt from that shelter over again. Photo: speculummundi

We'd all like to believe that every adoption story has a happy ending.

Merely the truth is, not every pet adoption is a perfect match — and sometimes returning a pet to the shelter is the only option an adopter has.

After the excitement of an adoption, bringing your pet dorsum to the shelter can be a humiliating job. Even if you're non at error, you can yet be left feeling miserable and aback.

Though the experience can exist rough to manage, keep in mind that you're making the decision for the welfare of the pet.

A good shelter's staff will understand and won't endeavour to shame you.

Behavioral Changes in a Pet Later on Adoption

Usually you lot tin can spend some fourth dimension with your potential pet at the shelter and get a good thought of their personality — free energy level, attentiveness, manners, etc.

But occasionally, pets only don't behave the aforementioned in a shelter as they do in a dwelling.

Maybe your dog was shy and quiet in the shelter because they were uncomfortable or nervous around new people and animals. That dog was your perfect match.

But after a week in your habitation, the dog is blooming into a rambunctious and loud puppy — not so perfect for your piddling apartment.

Dogs aren't the merely ones whose personalities tin take a bit of a twist in new surroundings. Cats respond to their environments as well.

Sometimes a true cat who has go comfortable within the confines of a shelter cattery may seem more outgoing than they are in a new abode.

Just considering this cat sought your manus for endless scratches during your meet-and-greet session doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't the blazon of kitty to dart under the couch for hours on end later on hearing the doorbell.

These are changes that you can't anticipate without a "trial run." And because a trial run isn't an option in most shelters, you lot might accept to consider returning the pet.

To reduce the possibility that you'll have to return the pet to the shelter, visit your potential new family member multiple times in the shelter earlier adopting. Photo: fabicanosa

Don't Arraign Yourself for Returning a Pet to the Shelter

It'south easy to feel responsible for having to return a pet, no matter the circumstances.

If adopting your new puppy was saving them, is returning that puppy dooming them?

In nearly instances no, it's not. Unless yous're returning the pet for unprovoked aggression or an untreatable affliction, they are probably going to find a new dwelling house where they fit right in.

Even knowing that they'll be adopted again, you lot're still going to feel crummy. That's normal.

A Contractual Obligation

A lot of people adopt to rehome their pets themselves.

It'due south a way to salvage the responsibility from the shelter also as meet your pet's new family personally.

Believe information technology or not, though, you might exist breaking your adoption contract if you rehome your adopted pet.

Many pet adoption contracts require you lot to return the pet to the shelter if the adoption doesn't work out. Shelters take a vested interest in every one of their animals, and these are the types of steps they take to ensure those pets are placed in qualified homes.

1 more than thing: "Nether no circumstances should yous sell your dog online or requite them abroad on Craigslist," advises Dogtime editor Mike Clark.

Even if you feel a little hesitant most taking your canis familiaris back into the shelter, as long as your reason for returning them is reasonable, you'll be welcome to prefer from that shelter once again.

The staff would never blacklist a potential adopter considering of an unforeseen hiccup in a previous adoption.

As Inga Fricke of The Humane Society of the The states puts it, shelter returns are not "inherently bad."

"Why, if the relationship doesn't work out, practice nosotros condemn the person who returns the pet and call it — and them — a failure?" she says. "Life happens, circumstances change, and fifty-fifty with the best of intentions, things don't always piece of work out."

"Fifty-fifty with the all-time of intentions, things don't always work out," says Inga Fricke. Photo: Smitherine

How to Avoid Returning a Pet

You shouldn't feel embarrassed for returning an adopted pet, but y'all should accept steps to avoid being in the position of having to render them.

"People actually need to do their research before coming in," Wake County (North Carolina) Animal Services Director Dr. Jennifer Federico, DVM, told The Dullard. "Be honest about the time that yous have to spend with a pet, because that's a big factor in your decision making."

Accept these precautions:

• Foster. Not all shelters allow fostering, simply if it's possible you can provide a temporary home for pets who are looking for their forever homes. You'll take the chance to fall in dear with a furry friend who's already at your house.
• Multiple visits. Nigh shelters volition encourage you to spend lots of time with the pet you lot're interested in. Don't just visit them in ane room for 20 minutes. Go exterior. Go for a walk, if possible. Visit multiple times earlier adopting.
• Professional grooming. If you see a problem arising after the adoption, consider your options before returning your pet. Is this a business organisation that is temporary, like a teething puppy? Is information technology something you tin hire a professional trainer to work with?

Fifty-fifty with all these precautions, your newest addition might just non exist a practiced fit.

In that situation, y'all should reach out to your animal shelter and schedule an engagement to render the pet.

This video offers some myths and facts about adopting a canis familiaris:

Final Thoughts on Returning a Pet to the Shelter

Having a pet adoption get wrong is a lousy experience.

After returning your pet to the shelter or rescue, you may not be immediately ready for another pet.

But afterwards some time, consider trying over again. The perfect pet could still exist waiting for you lot in your local shelter.

* * *

This article was written by Allison Gray, a one-time pet adoption counselor and staff member of an fauna shelter. This article was originally published in 2016. It was concluding reviewed for accurateness and updated Aug. 26, 2019. Allison'due south previous articles have included "How Farthermost Feet and Fear Almost Ruined My Dog" and "How Strict Animal Shelter Policies Can Cause Pets to Suffer."

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Source: https://www.petful.com/animal-welfare/ashamed-to-return-shelter-pet/