I found a fascinating statistic the other day that I wanted to share about adopted animals.
Now, I know, especially in today’s world, that statistics can be manipulated to show pretty much anything you want them to show, but this one struck me as important – and valid.
According to the ASPCA, an adopted cat or dog typically takes three days to decompress, three weeks to learn routines and up to three months (or more) to feel fully secure in a new home.
We talk to potential adopters all the time about how significant patience is when bringing a new animal into your home – and I think those numbers definitely show that.
Let’s talk about the first three days. Your new pet will be fresh from shelter life, which can be difficult for a four-legged soul who wants to be around people and not live in a cage.
Do you remember a time in your life when you moved? I’m talking picked up your whole life – furniture, clothes, electronics – and moved into a new home?
What were the first few days like for you?
That’s what a newly adopted pet is experiencing in your home.
Everything is different to them – smells, sounds, even the size of the rooms. It will definitely take time for them to acclimate to the new environment, so make sure you give them that.
Routines are something that I think every person and animal needs. Structure in life is important. It helps us feel rooted and secure.
I’m going back to the moving scenario from before. Do you remember how long it took you to develop a routine in a new home? Heck, how long did it take you to find your silverware from the boxes?
I remember the times I have moved and I swear, even a month in, I felt like I was still looking for stuff.
For animals, learning a routine they aren’t use to will take time – just like it does with us. Please don’t expect a dog to immediately understand housebreaking, or for a cat to adjust to the litterbox.
I know when I bring a new cat into my home, even the sleep schedule can be a bit messed up for a while. An animal from a shelter won’t be used to when you sleep and when you get up in the morning right away. That will take time for them to adjust to.
Again, please make sure you give them that time.
Here’s the bottom line for animals in shelters – they’ve likely been shuffled around a lot in their relatively short lives. They don’t end up in an animal shelter for no reason, after all.
Some of them have spent time living on the streets, which can be insanely stressful for them.
Some of them have been back and forth to different homes because relatives thought they could help, but it didn’t work out.
Some of them have even been back and forth to the shelter because certain situations weren’t a good match.
That kind of instability can make them incredibly unsure. As a result, they won’t be completely confident in a new home for quite a while. Animals will take time to become accustomed to their new surroundings. Trust can be a very gossamer-like feeling. It takes a while to build into a truly solid foundation and for an animal who has been let down in the past, it will take time for trust to evolve.
Four-legged souls can be remarkably resilient. Many of them will click with a new home probably much faster than some people.
Each and every one of the babies in our kennels is different and their reactions to new situations will also be different.
It’s often difficult to predict what they will be like in a home, but the rule of threes from above makes a lot of sense to me and I think it’s important for potential adopters to truly understand what they’re getting into when a new animal comes home with them.
Animal shelter pets aren’t instantaneously perfect. I’ve often said if you’re looking for a perfect pet, go buy a stuffed animal. That’s the only way I can guarantee you’ll get what you’re looking for.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a friend with a personality all their own who will love you unconditionally after they feel safe in your home, please consider adopting an animal.
If you give them the time they need, I truly think you will find a best friend for life.
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Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, readers may call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
