Module 8: The Case of the Barking Dog

The Ultimate Goal: Forever Homes

In addition to behavioral care and monitoring in the shelter, post-adoption follow-up is another important means of monitoring and support. Follow up phone calls with newly adoptive owners can identify behavioral challenges faced in new situations and enable staff to assist with emerging problems. Follow-ups also allow staff to validate observations made during the animal’s stay in the shelter. 

 

Cat laying on back on a couch.
Finding a home for a shelter pet is simply life-saving. Following up with new owners helps to ensure a smooth transition into the new home. By asking about and addressing any concerns or problems, shelters can promote and protect the human-animal bond and greatly improve the odds that a new pet stays in his/her home.

Providing sound advice and resources will help many new adopters to succeed with their new pet. The shelter veterinarian can help identify information and resources for adopters that are humane and scientifically valid. The first 3-6 months following adoption are especially crucial—the goal is to help people and pets to build strong bonds which will help prevent relinquishment!

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Integrating Veterinary Medicine with Shelter Systems Copyright © 2020 by University of Florida is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.