Aarp smart guide to pet adoption | members only

MAKE THAT FIRST VET APPOINTMENT Don’t wait till your pet comes home to find a veterinarian. Ideally, your cat or dog should have their first vet appointment within three to five days of

adoption, says Charles McMillan, the medical director and owner of GoodVets in Atlanta. “Your veterinarian will tailor a vaccine program based on your pet's age and prior vaccine

history.” For puppies and kittens, an initial vaccine schedule includes doses every two to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. After that, booster vaccines are typically given

annually or triannually. That first visit is also a good time to get your pet started on preventative treatments for heartworm, fleas and ticks, and to get them spayed or neutered if it

wasn’t done by the shelter. (Six months is the standard age for spaying/neutering, but it can vary based on a pet’s size.)  For adult pets, McMillan recommends semiannual (twice a year)

visits rather than the typical once-a-year appointment. “This proactive approach allows us to catch potential issues early, establish health baselines, and help your pet acclimate to the

clinic in a low-stress environment,” he says. DECIDE ON YOUR PET’S EMERGENCY CONTACT Even if you’re retired or work from home, it’s important to have a support system in place to help with

pet care when you’re away. That could include everything from a professional pet sitter to a trusted friend or family member. Weitzman also strongly recommends planning for the unthinkable.

Establish an emergency contact for your pet if you’re unable to get to them. “Make sure this person has access to your pet’s medical records, veterinarian contact information, and any

special care instructions,” he says. If you live in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, earthquakes or other disasters, he also suggests preparing a pet emergency kit, which should include a

two-week supply of food, water and your pet’s medications in a sturdy container. YOUR NEW PET AT HOME Remember, adoption isn’t just stressful for you. For your pet, their entire world has

been upended, so give them plenty of space and quiet time to adjust. Getty Images/Cultura RF BE PATIENT (ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING) Your pet won’t acclimate to their new surroundings

overnight. Rodriguez suggests setting low expectations for your animal during the first few months of your relationship. “The best way to set them up for success is to be patient,” he says.

“Recognize that they’re in a new environment and will need time to adjust.” One popular guideline for transitioning a rescue animal into a new home is the 3-3-3 rule. It involves letting

your new pet “decompress” during its first three days, then introducing new routines during the first three weeks, and then in-depth training beginning at the three-month mark. Remember,

adoption isn’t just stressful for you; for your pet, their entire world has been upended. “I remember one cat who slept for three days straight after his adoption,” Good says. “The new

owners were worried something was wrong, but after a few days, he went back to his normal, happy, playful self.” IF YOU HAVE OTHER PETS, INTRODUCE THEM SLOWLY If you already have dogs or

cats, you don’t want to throw a new animal into the mix without taking precautions. For cats, Good recommends placing the new cat in your bedroom with the door closed, while allowing your

current cat or dog to roam the rest of your home. “Each day swap out bedding so that all animals can get used to the other’s scent.” From there, keep your new cat separated through a baby

gate placed across the open bedroom door. “Once all the animals appear calm and curious on either side of the baby gate, you can progress to supervised time together.” The most important

thing is patience, she adds. “Rushing the process often results in setbacks and stress for everybody.” Donna Culbert, a certified dog trainer, suggests that the best way to introduce dogs is

to go for a walk. “You want a neutral territory where they can sniff and smell each other without the pressure of playing or being trapped in a room together,” she says. Once inside, make

sure all animals, dogs and cats alike, have their own private area, whether it’s a crate or bed in the corner of a bedroom. “Give the new dog short periods of time with the other animal and

the family, and then alone so they can have time to decompress,” she says. Good also recommends interviewing the shelter staff about your potential new pet’s history with other animals.

“Most will know which of their dogs are better recommended to live with a cat, or vice versa,  based on past experience,” she says. ESTABLISH THEIR ROUTINE Consistency is key, especially

during a pet’s first few months with you. “Dogs thrive with predictability, and they recognize patterns quickly,” Farah says. So give them a routine they can count on, from consistent meal

times to scheduled walks. A routine won’t just make your pet calmer; structure also supports healthy eating habits and helps them maintain a healthy sleep schedule, Corbin says. GIVE THEM

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT Punishing your pet when they do something wrong isn’t a path to better behavior. Good is a big advocate of positive reinforcement — rewarding good choices and ignoring

bad behavior. “If a dog gets showered with praise, petted and given biscuits when he’s quietly sitting in his bed, but completely ignored when he is barking crazily, he’ll start to figure

out which one is more fun for him pretty quickly,” she says. Rodriguez also suggests giving them opportunities to become good decision-makers. “Try to give them time to come to the decision

on their own versus telling them,” he says. “If you must ask/cue, do so, but try not to cue them twice in a row.” CONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER There are some basic cues that every pet

should be taught within the first few months of adoption, Farah says. Start with “sit,” “wait” (a very brief, informal stay), “let’s go” (we're walking now!), and most importantly,

“come.” With a new pet, she tries to work on these commands multiple times a day, “in every situation, since it’s so important for safety.” Even if you’re reluctant to hire a professional

trainer — dog training can cost anywhere between $55 to $215 a session on average — Farah recommends “taking at least one round of training classes.” There are a lot of options out there,

from online obedience classes to sleepaway camps. And yes, there’s even agility training for cats. DON’T STRESS ABOUT CO-SLEEPING There are many compelling arguments both for and against

letting your pet sleep on your bed. (They might bring dirt and germs into your sheets. But also, sleeping with a pet is so cozy!) “Unless your dog displays unwanted behaviors related to

being on the bed, this is entirely a personal choice,” Farah says. “Some people sleep better with their dog next to them. For others, it disrupts their sleep. Some people just don’t enjoy

having fur on the sheets.” If you start to notice unwanted behaviors, like your pet begins aggressively guarding the bed or bedroom, it may be time to consult a trainer or set up a different

area in the house for your pet to sleep. MAKE SURE THEY GET ENOUGH EXERCISE The exact amount of physical activity your pet needs can vary by breed and age, but in general, most dogs need

between 30 minutes (at a minimum) and two hours of exercise every day. (Same for cats.) A fenced-in yard is great for games of fetch, and daily walks can be a form of exercise for both you

and your furry friend. “They don’t have to cover a great distance or be quick,” Farah says. “Most dogs enjoy a very slow walk where they’re allowed to sniff as much as they want, and it’s a

very calming activity for them.” When you’re stuck indoors, you can still find ways to keep your pet active. One of Farah’s favorite indoor games is hide and seek. “One person holds the dog

until the second person hides, and then the hunt is on,” she says. “It’s a great way to combine physical and mental exercise.” TALK TO YOUR VET ABOUT A MICROCHIP One in three pets in the

U.S. will go missing in their lifetimes. That’s about 10 million pets every year, according to the Animal Humane Society. Microchips, which are roughly the size of a grain of rice and are

placed under a pet's skin, are “one of the best ways to ensure that your pet can be returned to you if they get lost,” Weitzman says. It’s relatively inexpensive, costing between $25

and $60 per pet, and it’s “a simple and relatively painless procedure, providing a permanent form of identification,” Weitzman says. “Just make sure to keep your contact information up to

date in the microchip registry.” GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO WHEN THEY’RE HOME ALONE Whether your pet has separation issues or just gets bored after too much time left alone, it’s important to

leave them some busy work when you’re away. “This could be a filled frozen Kong (peanut butter, Greek yogurt, carrots, dog food, treats), bully sticks, feeding enrichment, nylabones,

Himalayan wood chews or yak chews,” Rodriguez says. Make sure to supervise when they’re first exploring any new toy, but once you trust that they can interact safely, these “projects” will

provide them with hours of busywork. “The purpose of this is to create a positive association with being alone,” Rodriguez says.