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 FOR PET OWNERS
Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics
SNIP - League City
Emancipet - multiple locations
Animal Alliance - La Marque
Houston Humane Society - Houston
*Please also check out Care Credit below*
Emancipet - multiple locations
Animal Alliance - La Marque
Houston Humane Society - Houston
*Please also check out Care Credit below*
CareCredit
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. [more]
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
BEHAVIOR & 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]
|
|
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]
|
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]
|
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]
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND ABANDONED KITTENS
The Kitten Lady
Kitten season practically lasts all year in Texas. Warm weather leads to a longer breeding season, and lax spay/neuter laws lead to an overwhelming number of kittens born. One of the ways you can help support your local animal shelter is by offering to bottle feed infant kittens (those under 4 weeks old) until they are old enough to be weaned. If you've never bottle or syringe fed kittens, chances are your local shelter can help you learn, but the Kitten Lady is a great additional resource. [more]
Kittens under 4 weeks old cannot survive on their own. They need to stay with their mother or they must be bottle fed around the clock. If you find a litter of kittens in your yard/shed/garage LEAVE THEM ALONE unless they are in immediate danger, sick, or injured. Since mother cats often go off to hunt for hours at a time, you can't assume a litter of kittens has been abandoned. Instead, WATCH & WAIT from a distance. If the mother cat doesn't return within 6 hours, then reach out to your local animal shelter for advice.
If you find kittens that are 6 weeks old or older and their mother is not friendly enough to be touched by humans, the best option is to humanely trap the mother so she can be spayed, then remove the kittens and place in foster so they can be socialized and adopted. For help determining a kitten's age, go to: alleycat.org/kittenprogression
If you find kittens that are 6 weeks old or older and their mother is not friendly enough to be touched by humans, the best option is to humanely trap the mother so she can be spayed, then remove the kittens and place in foster so they can be socialized and adopted. For help determining a kitten's age, go to: alleycat.org/kittenprogression
OTHER RESOURCES
Are you feeding community or feral cats in your area? Perhaps we can help.
Studies have shown that euthanasia of feral cats does nothing to quell the cat overpopulation problem. In fact, it can even lead to colonies growing in size because the remaining cats breed more to replenish the colony. TNR is a great option for not only saving the lives of feral cats, but also reducing the feral cat population in your area. [more]
