Acclimating Your Rescued Pet To Its New Home

Guest article.

So, you’ve rescued a pet. Congratulations! Not only have you gained a new family member, you’ve also saved the life of an animal, giving it a fresh start and a new chance at a happy life. No doubt you’ve chosen the perfect pet for you and your family, and are looking forward to bringing it home. At this point,  you may be nervous and excited. You’ll want to give your new friend a warm welcome into its new home.

Before you bring your pet home, make sure that your house has been “pet-proofed”. This will vary depending on the type of pet you have, but some basic principles apply to a variety of species. First of all, if you have houseplants, do some research. Many common plants are toxic to animals, so take care to place these where they are not accessible to your new pet. Exposed wires should be covered and tucked away; many pets love to chew on or play with exposed wires, which is dangerous to their health and the safety of your home. Make sure that any cleaning products, chemical substances, and medications are out of reach.

It’s okay to be exuberant at the arrival of your pet, but try not to overwhelm them. Using happy tones and being playful are okay, but you should try to avoid being loud and making quick or jerky movements. Even for the friendliest pet, this is a big and scary change. There are a lot of new things to get used to! Different smells, different objects, different people… a lot for your new friend to process all at once. Try to remain calm, but friendly.

It’s important that you allow your pet to get used to its new environment at its own pace. If your pet wants to hide out in its cage or under the furniture for a little while, that’s okay. He will come out when he is ready. Allow your pet to explore its new environment. Keep a close eye out, but don’t yell or startle them. They’re emotionally fragile at this point, especially if they were abused by their previous owner.

Above all, be patient. You may have to prove to your new pet that people can be trusted. Adopted pets often have a deep mistrust of humans. They can’t be blamed… it’s all they’ve ever known. Discouraging unwanted behavior is okay, of course, as long as you go about it in the right way. Using a loud, angry tone of voice or hitting your animal will only serve to confirm that distrust, and may lead to aggressive behavior that is difficult to correct. Discipline techniques will vary depending on the species of your new pet, but offering alternatives to the negative behaviors is an excellent way to get started. When your pet does this new activity, rather than the old, “bad” behavior, reward them with praise or a special treat. This kind of positive reinforcement is very effective.

If your pet does begin to show aggressive behavior, don’t write them off as a bad pet. Don’t give up on them. The emotional scars that these animals carry can take quite a while to heal. Stay dedicated. Remember that their life has been a hard one, and be understanding. Rehabilitating an emotionally or physically scarred animal is a very rewarding experience.

“A house is not a home without a pet.” ~ Anonymous