Choosing to adopt a pet is a big decision. It is important to spend time researching the type of pet you are interested in and familiarizing yourself with the challenges of adopting a rescue animal. Unfortunately, many people rush into pet ownership, completely unprepared for what lies ahead. While some of these people will tough it out and adapt, others will return the pet to the rescue center. These unsuccessful adoptions can have a considerable impact on both the animal and the adopter, as it may put them off trying to adopt a pet again. That’s one of the reasons why, at American Pet Rescues, we are focused on educating people on animal rescue and making sure they have all the facts needed for a successful adoption. We also encourage those who are not yet 100% ready to adopt a pet to give a home to one of our stuffed rescue pets instead, allowing them to support animal rescue and further educate themselves in preparation for the future.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at some of the implications for animals and rescue centers when a pet is returned following a failed adoption.
Returning an animal to the rescue center after adopting it can cause emotional distress and anxiety for the pet. Whenever you adopt a pet, you are taking it out of a familiar environment and bringing it into your home, and it can take time for it to settle there. If you then decide to return the pet, they will have to go through that confusion all over again, which can result in stress.
If you return an animal to the rescue center after adopting it, it may develop trust issues, making it more difficult for them to bond with another person interested in adopting it. There is also a risk of the pet developing behavioral problems such as fear, aggression, and withdrawal. It is unlikely people will want to adopt a pet with these issues, so the rescue center will need to work on training and socialization to get the pet ready to rehome again. This will use up valuable time and resources. There may also be a stigma attached to animals that have been returned, as people may assume there is a problem with the pet even though it may have been returned through no fault of its own.
As noted, animal rescue centers have limited resources in terms of space, finances, and staff. Failed adoptions can result in additional strain on these resources, especially financially, as there will be additional veterinary care, food costs, and man-hours to facilitate training to iron out any behavior issues that may have developed.
When someone changes their mind after they adopt a pet and return it to the rescue center, it can be frustrating for staff, but it is important that they treat it as an opportunity for education instead of passing judgment. Talking to the adopter to determine the reasons for the return could help identify potential issues in the adoption process. Does the rescue center need to implement more counseling before allowing someone to adopt a pet in order to ensure they are fully prepared for the commitment? Could more aftercare be offered to help owners settle their new pets into their homes? Are there flaws in the matching process that have allowed someone to adopt a pet that isn’t really a good fit for their lifestyle? If these issues can be identified and addressed, it will help to reduce the number of failed adoptions in the future. This is one of the reasons American Pet Rescues is so passionate about offering education about animal rescue so that people understand the commitment they are making when they adopt a pet and take the time to make the right choice.
It is important to note that there are positive outcomes in many cases where returned pets are successfully adopted and find their forever home with a family that is the right fit. We absolutely do not want to discourage anyone who wants to adopt a pet; we want to highlight the importance of taking your time and doing research before committing to an animal. We want you to get the right pet at the right time to avoid a failed adoption.
If you feel that you may not be ready to adopt a pet at this time, we encourage you to support animal rescue efforts by adopting one of our quality stuffed animals instead. Each one is modeled on a real-life rescue animal and comes complete with a copy of their story. All profits are put back into our goal of opening an animal rescue shelter in East Tennessee. Our stuffed animals are an excellent way to introduce children to animal rescue and teach them the responsibility it takes to adopt a pet!
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American Pet Rescues is working towards the goal of educating adults and children about the value of animal rescue. Through the sale of our quality plush stuffed animals, each based on a real animal rescue story, we hope to promote awareness of pet adoption while also funding the opening of an animal adoption center in the Knoxville area where we can continue educating others and also provide access to affordable veterinary care.
Visit www.americanpetrescues.org or call 865-800-3697 for more information.
American Pet Rescues is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
© American Pet Rescues, Inc. 2024