Bringing a new pet home is an especially exciting event. We want all adopters (and their new pets) to have the best adoption experience possible!
Preparing for adoption can help set both you and your new family member up for success.
Landlord approval
If you lease your home, check with your landlord before adopting to be sure you’re allowed to have a pet and can afford any required pet deposits.
Pets are sometimes returned because of lease restrictions and/or landlord disapproval. This can be an expensive lesson — adoption fees are non-refundable. Plus, being returned to the shelter can be a stressful experience for the animal.
Other Household Members
Other members of your household should meet the pet and approve of you bringing a new pet home before you decide to adopt. You should also consider:
- Allergies
- Fear or discomfort associated with animals
- Expectations in sharing pet care responsibilities
If you have children in the home, having a pet can be a wonderful experience, but it’s also important to understand how to foster this new relationship between your pet and your children.
Costs
Consider the initial and on-going costs of a new pet. These costs may include:
- Adoption fees
- Food
- Grooming
- Basic skills training
- Pet supplies
- Licensing (These fees apply to the City of Baraboo. You will need to research fees for your area.)
- Veterinary care (these costs can easily amount to $400 or more within the first few weeks of adoption)
Other Pets
We recommend that you don’t immediately expose your existing pets to a new one. Consider how you’ll manage an isolation period and be sure all existing pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and other routine health care before bringing a new pet home.
Time Commitment
All dogs and cats making the transition to a new home will need time to adjust to a new family and may require housetraining and behavior training to correct problem behavior.
If you aren’t prepared to invest time into teaching your new pet appropriate behavior and helping the animal adjust, you should not adopt a pet. Positive reinforcement-based training is recommended for all newly adopted dogs and puppies.
Dogs and cats may live 12 to 15 years or more, and providing them with basic needs (food, water, shelter), medical care, and loving attention is important until the very end. Your thoughtful consideration, preparation, and commitment will help ensure a happy home for your new pet.
With all of that said, being a pet parent doesn’t mean you need to be at home 24/7. Many pet parents work full-time, and there are lots of resources available to help your pet adjust to their alone time. Our staff are happy to offer tips and resources to help you make your transition to pet parenthood.
Pet Supplies
Before bringing your dog, cat, or critter home, make sure you have the supplies to properly care for the newest member of your household.
