Adopting a New Pet
A New Owner's Guide to Adopting a Cat
We'd love to thank Amelia for bringing this article to our attention! It's a wealth of information not just on bringing home your new cat, but thoughtfully preparing the space and caring for your cat over the course of it's life. [more]
Bringing Home a New Cat/Kitten
Start small, take things slow, and remember: new animals can take a few weeks to a few months to adjust to their new homes. Please be prepared to give your new pet ample time to get used to the new sights, sounds, and smells of home. [more]
Bringing Home a New Dog/Puppy
What you expose your new dog or puppy to now can impact their personalities for life and can be key to preventing unwanted or destructive behaviors. [more]
Cat Care Basics
Vet visit schedules, vaccination requirements, behavioral correction, and more for adopters bringing home new cats or kittens. [more]
Supply List for New Adopters
What you'll need and what you'll want when you bring home your new cat, kitten, dog, or puppy. [more]
Introducing Your New Pet to Your Children
Animals adopted to homes with small children can, without proper introduction, become fearful and skittish as adults. If you want your new pet to bond with your child, take things slow and follow these steps. [more]
Introducing a New Cat to Your Current Cat
One of the top reasons we see adopted cats returned is because they don't get along with the adopter's resident cat. Introducing a new cat to your household can be tricky for some, while other cats because best friends right away. How well the introduction goes is based largely on two factors - the personalities of each cat, and the way in which you introduce them. [more]
Introducing a New Dog to Your Current Dog
Although dogs are social animals that tend to love the company of other dogs, there are times when introducing a new dog into the family can be tricky. First impressions are very important, especially if your resident dog is used to being the only dog vying for your attention. [more]
Financial Resources
Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics
SNIP - League City
SNAP - Pasadena
Emancipet - multiple locations
Animal Alliance - La Marque
Houston Humane Society - Houston
Pearland Canine Resource Center - Pearland (they do cats too!)
*Please also check out Care Credit below*
SNAP - Pasadena
Emancipet - multiple locations
Animal Alliance - La Marque
Houston Humane Society - Houston
Pearland Canine Resource Center - Pearland (they do cats too!)
*Please also check out Care Credit below*
Payment Plans Options for Veterinary Care
Care Credit
From routine appointments to emergency situations or surgeries, the CareCredit card gives pet owners the peace of mind needed to care for pets big and small.
From routine appointments to emergency situations or surgeries, the CareCredit card gives pet owners the peace of mind needed to care for pets big and small.
Scratch Pay/Take 5
Scratchpay provides you with simple, friendly payment plans that won't affect your credit score while Take 5 lets you break up your bill into 5 easy payments.
Scratchpay provides you with simple, friendly payment plans that won't affect your credit score while Take 5 lets you break up your bill into 5 easy payments.
Pet Food Pantries
Houston Humane Society - check out their "Pet Pantry" events located throughout the Houston area
Friends 4 Life - call them today to schedule a pick-up appointment
Friends 4 Life - call them today to schedule a pick-up appointment
Spay/Neuter Vouchers and Discounts
Texas Litter Control offers low-cost veterinary services as well as FREE vouchers for spay/neuter surgery
Laurel's House hosts free and discounted spay/neuter clinics around the Houston area
Laurel's House hosts free and discounted spay/neuter clinics around the Houston area
Behavioral & Medical Resources
Crate Training Your Dog
Crates and kennels provide security for dogs and help easy anxiety, while offering you peace of mind when you are away from home. [more]
Declawing Cats
Declawing is NOT just the removal of a cat's claws. It is the amputation of a cat's third phalanx, or third 'toe bone,' the equivalent to cutting off the tips of your fingers. Not only is it painful, but it can lead to significant behavioral problems including aggression and litter box issues. Good news is there are plenty of alternatives! [more]
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How to Stop Destructive Scratching
Keeping your cat's nails short is the first step to stopping destructive scratching behaviors. Watch a quick how-to video here. For more solutions, check out Jackson Galaxy's tips.
FIV and FELV in Cats
There is a misconception among pet owners, shelters, and even some veterinarians that FIV and FeLV are death sentences. In fact, cats with FIV or FeLV can live normal, healthy lives and can even be housed with other cats in certain circumstances. [more]
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Heartworm Disease
Houston is a hotspot for heartworm disease. If your dog is not on heartworm preventative, it's not a matter of if, but when they will contract it. [more]
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Food Aggression/Guarding
From the ASPCA: "Guarding possessions from humans or other animals is normal behavior for dogs. Wild animals who successfully protect their valuable resources—such as food, mates and living areas—are more likely to survive in the wild than those who don’t. However, we find the tendency to guard valued items undesirable in our domestic pets, especially when the behavior is directed toward people." [more]
Microchipping Your Pet
Rehoming Help
If you have exhausted all other options and are now faced with rehoming or surrendering your pet, please explore the rehoming options below then begin reaching out to rescue groups and posting your pet on animal-related Facebook groups.
Houston SPCA Rehoming Center - Call (713) 869-7722 for appointment times.
Houston Humane Society - Get on the wait list as soon as possible.
Texas Litter Control - They WILL NOT take your pet, but can offer a number of resources and references to help you.
Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet - You can post your pet for rehoming through Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.
Get Your Pet from one home to another - FREE for owners to list their pets for rehoming and includes a free vet exam for the adopter.
Galveston County Animal Resource Center - If you live in unincorporated Galveston County, Bayou Vista, Hitchcock, La Marque, Texas City, or Tiki Island, Galveston County ARC may be able to post your pet for rehoming and email to their rescue partners.
Houston Humane Society - Get on the wait list as soon as possible.
Texas Litter Control - They WILL NOT take your pet, but can offer a number of resources and references to help you.
Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet - You can post your pet for rehoming through Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.
Get Your Pet from one home to another - FREE for owners to list their pets for rehoming and includes a free vet exam for the adopter.
Galveston County Animal Resource Center - If you live in unincorporated Galveston County, Bayou Vista, Hitchcock, La Marque, Texas City, or Tiki Island, Galveston County ARC may be able to post your pet for rehoming and email to their rescue partners.
Cat & Dog Rescues
Most of these groups take in both cats and dogs from the greater Houston area, but there are a couple of cat- or dog-specific rescues which are labelled accordingly. Please keep in mind that rescues get dozens of phone calls, emails, and tags every day, so while you are waiting on a response from any of the groups below, please post on any of the applicable Animal-Related Facebook groups. Many rescues, fosters, and independent rescuers monitor these groups for any animals they can help.
NOTE: While we wish every animal could find a loving, indoor home, the reality is there just aren't enough shelters, rescues, fosters, and resources to help every animal. If you don't get a response from the groups on this list or none of them can help you right now, please be patient and keep trying. We are all doing the best we can.
NOTE: While we wish every animal could find a loving, indoor home, the reality is there just aren't enough shelters, rescues, fosters, and resources to help every animal. If you don't get a response from the groups on this list or none of them can help you right now, please be patient and keep trying. We are all doing the best we can.
Breed-Specific Dog Rescues
These groups are added as we gather their contact information to help citizens find help for dogs they found or must surrender. If you have personally worked with, volunteered for, or adopted from a breed-specific dog rescue in Texas, please send us their name and contact information so we can include it.
Austin Boxer Rescue
Ill, injured, or in need of emergency medical assistance ONLY: (512) 968-1343
Rehoming/Found animals:
Owner surrender form must be filled out at https://austinboxerrescue.com/rehoming/ for all owned animals including found animals that have been in your posession for more than 7 days. For any questions, email the intake coordinator at os@austinboxerrescue.com. Email must include pictures of the animal and any medical history (vaccines, flea treatment, heartworm status, etc) as well as date and location found and the length of time you are able to foster the animal.
Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue
www.facebook.com/GHGSDR/
ghgsdr.org/index.php
info@ghgsdr.org
Sauver Des Chiens German Shepherd Dog Rescue
www.facebook.com/SauverDesChiens/
sauverdeschiens.org/
president@sauverdeschiens.org
Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
Marlene Strandt (rescue coordinator) 469.740.0866
Texas Independent Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
www.facebook.com/tirrrescue
(817) 454-6023
tirrrescue@gmail.com
A more comprehensive list of breed-specific rescues can be found at the links below. We did not create these lists so we cannot vouch for their accuracy.
https://dogtales.wordpress.com/breed-specific-rescue-groups-tx/
http://pawsitivelytexas.com/resources-for-pet-owners/texas-rescue-groups-purebred-dogs/
Ill, injured, or in need of emergency medical assistance ONLY: (512) 968-1343
Rehoming/Found animals:
Owner surrender form must be filled out at https://austinboxerrescue.com/rehoming/ for all owned animals including found animals that have been in your posession for more than 7 days. For any questions, email the intake coordinator at os@austinboxerrescue.com. Email must include pictures of the animal and any medical history (vaccines, flea treatment, heartworm status, etc) as well as date and location found and the length of time you are able to foster the animal.
Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue
www.facebook.com/GHGSDR/
ghgsdr.org/index.php
info@ghgsdr.org
Sauver Des Chiens German Shepherd Dog Rescue
www.facebook.com/SauverDesChiens/
sauverdeschiens.org/
president@sauverdeschiens.org
Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
Marlene Strandt (rescue coordinator) 469.740.0866
Texas Independent Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
www.facebook.com/tirrrescue
(817) 454-6023
tirrrescue@gmail.com
A more comprehensive list of breed-specific rescues can be found at the links below. We did not create these lists so we cannot vouch for their accuracy.
https://dogtales.wordpress.com/breed-specific-rescue-groups-tx/
http://pawsitivelytexas.com/resources-for-pet-owners/texas-rescue-groups-purebred-dogs/
Animal-Related Facebook Groups
Please keep in mind that rescues get dozens of phone calls, emails, and tags every day, so even if you post on the appropriate Facebook groups below, please all call or email the groups in the Cat & Dog Rescue tab above as well.
