It’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!
It’s officially October 1st, and you know what that means. It’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! For another year and every year, we encourage you to learn about Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. It’s a month where dog parents and anyone who’s thinking about bringing home an adorable doggo can turn their hearts towards the many dogs who need a warm and loving home. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) sponsors and promotes this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month each year.
In addition, since 1981, the American Human Society has celebrated a month-long campaign encouraging people to adopt shelter dogs. If you decide to adopt a shelter dog, here is what you need to know about bringing a new canine companion home and how to adopt a dog from the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS).
The First Few Days of Introducing a New Dog to the Home
Think back to when you moved into your first or current home or apartment. Most people would agree that it takes time to become acclimated to a new place. The same idea applies to a new dog. Before introducing your new dog to family or friends, allow your new pet to get used to being in a new home. Keep the house cool, calm, and collected for a few days and limit too much excitement.
If you’re a parent to younger children, ensure that they don’t overwhelm the new family member. Teach your kids not to wake a new dog up or startle them by hugging them. It would also be best to pay close attention to if your dog shows their teeth or growls during playtime. These are indicators that there is discomfort or they might bite. Other tips include:
- When picking your dog up, find out what foods they ate and at what time to avoid gastrointestinal issues. If you want to switch to a new brand, you might want to wait at least a week. When that time comes, you should do so gradually.
- Secure your new four-legged friend in a crate on the way home.
- Upon bringing a new dog home, take them to the toileting area right away. Note that even the best-trained dogs might experience accidents as they try to become comfortable living in a new place.
- If you decide to crate training your dog, keep it open to enable them to go in there whenever they feel overwhelmed.
- Have patience. Every shelter dog has a story, and depending on that narrative, there may have been a lot of mixed communication. You never know how the previous owner trained or socialized a new dog will impact their receptive to their new owner or home. Give things time because sometimes it takes weeks or even months for a dog’s true personality to develop within a new home.
BARCS’ Dog Adoption Information
The website doesn’t fully represent how many shelter dogs need a new home. If you don’t see what you like on the website, you can visit this shelter to find the best canine companion for you! The adoption hours are on weekdays 2:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. BARCS offers many adoption packages to fit your pet parenting needs. If you find a dog you think you’ll love on the website, fill out the application form. Upon filling out the form, you’ll meet with a BARCS Adoption Counselor.
Besides an adoption, if you don’t have room for a new dog, you can honor Adopt a Shelter Dog Month by sharing this content and volunteering or donating to local shelters. BARCStoberfest runs this entire month and all proceeds go to the animals at BARCS. You can donate to our team to help us reach our goal of $1000. We will match every donation dollar for dollar!
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!