Adopting a new pet is EXCITING! But please take the time to ensure your new dog or cat is given the appropriate time and chance to become adjusted to their new home. Some pets are immediately returned to shelters, when all your new pet needed was more patience and understanding.
City of Garland Follow-up Actions:
600 Tower Street
Garland, TX 75040-6718
(972) 205-3570
1. File your adoption paperwork in a safe place; you will need this information (city health/shot record) to present to your personal vet. The city health/shot record also notes your pet’s shelter ID number (A######). You will need this should you have any questions to the City regarding your pet.
2. If your pet needs to be spayed/neutered, call the shelter to schedule an appointment. Your Adoption fee includes the spay/neuter, which is performed by Garland’s on staff Veterinarian.
3. Check your pet’s City health/shot record, it will indicate if our pet has any immediate health issues and when their next booster shots are needed by your personal vet.
Adjusting to their new home and existing pets at home:
Here are helpful links to other sites with valuable information on how to make our new pet’s transition into a new home successful. Remember, your pet has been in a shelter for some time – it is normal for it to take a few days to months for a new pet to adjust to a new home situation.
For Dogs: If you have other dogs at home, have someone else bring your existing dogs outside and off your property. With the new dog on a leash allow the dogs to briefly sniff (one dog at a time) each other, then take a nice walk. Arrive back at home, allowing the NEW dog to enter first. Repeat walks often. Leave the leashes on all dogs while inside the home. It is normal there may be posturing and adjusting until they find their pecking order. If they get into a 'scrap' you can grab the leashes to separate. If no leashes, it is safest to have two people grab the dogs by both their back feet (like a barrel) and separate the dogs. Have them calm down, divert them into other activities, crate them both. But DO NOT throw one outside or locked up and let the other remain in their usual territory.
It is not unusual for two dominant dogs go get into 'scraps' as they go thru their settling in period. Most scraps only occur during feeding of when giving snacks, so feed them separately (across the room from each other) and do not feed snacks for the first week. Provide snacks only when requiring the dogs to sit and be calm. With patience and understanding the dogs WILL get along.
Helpful links:
Pledge for new dog owners
Bringing a new dog home
Introducing dogs to other dogs
Dogs - understanding their signals and body language
General Care - Dog
Cat supplies and other tips for cats
General Care - Cat
Cats and Dogs can get along
Bringing a new cat to existing cats and dogs