Embracing imperfection
As the saying goes, good things take time, and building a lifelong bond with a new furry friend is no different. Pet parents are often consumed with the initial excitement of bringing a new pet home, but that excitement can fade as a pet experiences the normal challenges of adjusting to a new environment, sometimes leading adopters to return pets to the shelter.
However, the Hill’s Pet Nutrition 2024 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report showed that 2 out of 3 people who did surrender a pet said intervention, like shelter support or pet food pantries, could have prevented the surrender. Consequently, many shelters and communities are responding with support that focuses on pet retention, however, the best strategy to reducing pet surrenders is through education and awareness: pet parents should approach adoption with knowledge and understanding that there will be bumps in the road. As you welcome a furry friend into your home, remember that your pet is experiencing a big change. And though adopted pets will come with varied backgrounds and temperaments, pet parents can use the handy 3-3-3 rule as a framework to set expectations and work towards realistic goals for a smooth transition: 3 days for adjusting, 3 weeks for training and bonding, and 3 months for routines and socialization.