11 October 2023 | Product and Promotions Guide
Behavioral Concerns
All pets need time to acclimate to a new home, but this can
be especially true for adult pets adopted from a shelter.
This acclimation may take longer than clients expect, so it's
best to prepare clients with realistic expectations.
At the patient's initial visit, ask the owner how their pet
is adapting. Is the pet fearful and hiding or are they calm
and confident? Is the pet eating and drinking? Talk to cat
owners about litter box usage and potentially problematic
behaviors like scratching furniture. Detecting potential
behavioral issues early will allow for early intervention,
helping to maximize the human-animal bond.
Keep this behavior dialogue open during future veterinary
visits. While a behavior assessment should be included in
every veterinary visit for every patient, this is especially
true for shelter pets. Warn clients that there may be
surprises as their pet settles in, and advise them to contact
the veterinary practice for help with these issues if/when
they arise.
Conclusion
Shelter pets have unique medical and behavioral
needs, when compared to pets obtained from
a breeder or trusted friend. Discuss these
needs with your team, and ensure that they
are addressed at every visit. By providing
individualized attention to newly adopted shelter
pets, you can ensure that you are meeting their
needs while also bonding clients to your practice.
About the author Cathy Barnette, DVM is a
veterinarian and freelance writer, based in Southwest Florida.
After graduating from the University of Florida in 2006, Dr.
Barnette spent 14 years working in small animal general practice.
Her current professional focus is veterinary writing, creating
educational content for veterinary teams and their clients. Dr.
Barnette is a paid Consultant for Covetrus
®
.
1. ASPCA. Pet Statistics. Retrieved from: aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-
surrender/pet-statistics
2. Nelson, C. T., McCall, J. W., Rubin, S. B., Buzhardt, L. F., Dorion, D. W., Graham, W.,
Longhofer, S. L., Guerrero, J., Robertson-Plouch, C., Paul, A., & Executive Board of the
American Heartworm Society (2005). 2005 Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and
management of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs. Veterinary parasitology,
133(2-3), 255–266.
