Frequently Asked Questions: Adoption
How do I know if I am ready to adopt?
Adopting a pet is likely to be a 12-20 year commitment. Are you at the point in your life where you can make a commitment to a companion animal for the rest of his or her life? Adoption means that these animals will become members of your family. Think about whether upcoming life changes, such as children, marriage, a move, a new job, etc. could affect your ability to make and sustain this commitment.
Do I have the financial means to support a cat or dog? How much will it cost me?
Dog:
Every dog requires basic necessities in order to have a good quality of life: a collar & leash, identification, nutritious food, annual medical exams and vaccines, and heartworm, flea, and tick prevention; most dogs also need a bed, toys, and treats.
There are also town licensing regulations to consider; most towns require annual licensing for dogs.
The cost of owning a dog the first year can run upwards of $1,000, not including any emergency care, visits to the veterinarian when he gets ill, food and water bowls, boarding, dog walking, training aids, etc. Although Bideawee provides a lot of medical and training prior to adoption, there are still many financial responsibilities left. This figure will not decrease too much in the coming years - as the dog ages he may require behavior & training and more extensive medical care.
Cat:
Every cat requires medical care and other ongoing items in order to have a good quality of life: annual medical exams, annual vaccines, a safety collar, identification, litter box, fresh litter daily, carrier, nutritious food, and a brush; most cats also need a bed and toys. The cost to ready your home for a new cat can exceed $500. The average cost of caring for a cat is about $1,000 per year, not including emergency medical care, boarding, training aids, stain removers, etc.
Do I have the time to devote to a dog or cat?
In addition to the Standards of Care Bideawee upholds for resident animals, Bideawee believes that each animal deserves a minimum quality of care from their caretakers. Please see the Bideawee's Canine Bill of Rights and Feline Bill of Rights.
Dog: Most dogs require a minimum of three walks a day, but many require more depending on their housebreaking status, age, and breed. Many breeds and ages require lots of exercise. Even if you have a yard, each dog deserves a chance to be walked on a leash and be socialized in different environments, with people and with animals. The more time you spend socializing your dog, the less likely your dog will develop behavior problems. The most common reason for behavior problems is because the dog does not get enough exercise. Excess energy is often expressed in behaviors that you want to avoid - like chewing on furniture, jumping on people or never settling down in your home.
Most dogs also need mental stimulation, which you can provide with training and enrichment. Training and enrichment is another good way to prevent unwanted behaviors. Many working breed dogs have a natural drive to work, and will become destructive if they do not have the opportunity to do something useful, such as follow your lead.
Cat:
Cats require socialization and many can also benefit from training. Every cat deserves quality time with his or her family. It is important that rules to prevent unwanted behaviors such as scratching furniture and jumping on counters are set as soon as you take your new cat home and that everyone in the family is consistent.
If I'm not sure I'm ready to adopt, are there other ways to get involved?
There are plenty of ways to experience the love of a four-legged friend - check out some of the volunteer opportunities Bideawee has to offer!
How can I be sure that a particular dog or cat is right for me and my family?
Matching pets with people has been Bideawee's expertise for over 100 years! Our adoption counselors help adopters find the perfect pets that touch their hearts and match their lifestyles.
People who want to adopt a Bideawee pet are encouraged to get to know the cat, dog, puppy or kitten they're interested in before making any decisions. Our adoption centers all have warm, friendly, "get acquainted" areas, where pets and people can have their first meetings in calm, relaxing spaces. A short interview is part of the adoption process, to help the staff match each animal with a compatible, responsible person.
Is my new dog or cat spayed/neutered already, or will I need to make arrangements with a veterinarian?
All adult pets are spayed or neutered before they are made available for adoption. If a kitten or puppy is too young to be neutered, the procedure will be done free of charge at a Bideawee clinic when the pet is old enough.
Other than spay/neuter services, does Bideawee provide any other services to the cats and dogs before they are adopted?
Dogs:
All dogs receive the following services/procedures prior to adoption (and at no cost to new owner): spay/neuter, Rabies vaccine, NYC License (if you are a resident of NYC and adopt from NYC Site), Distemper/Parvo vaccine, Bordetella vaccine, microchipping (plus registration), anything else medical the dog may need prior to adoption placement, detailed adoption packet with tips on a successful adoption, free training session with a Behavior Coordinator post-adoption, and a Bideawee collar tag (Martingale Collar & Leash available for a low price!).
Cats:
At Bideawee, all cats receive the following services/procedure prior to adoption (and at no cost to new owner): spay/neuter, Rabies vaccine, Distemper vaccine, Feline Leukemia Test, microchipping (plus registration), anything else medical the cat may need prior to adoption placement, cardboard carrier for transportation, detailed adoption packet with tips on a successful adoption, consultation with a Behavior Coordinator & post-adoption support, and a Bideawee collar tag.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny computer chip which has been programmed into a national registration identification number. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is injected under the skin at the base of the neck. Once an animal is injected with the chip, he can be identified throughout his life by this number. His identification cannot be lost, altered or removed. It requires no care and will not move around the body.
When a lost animal is brought to an animal shelter or veterinarian, a scanner is used to send a signal through the skin of the animal to read the chip. The animal feels nothing as the scanner is passed over him. The microchip sends the number back to the scanner. When the number appears on the scanner, a phone call to an 800 number will give the finder the name and contact info for the registered owner of the pet.
What paperwork/information should I bring if I want to adopt a cat or dog?
Please see our Adoption Requirements.
Do I need to have all the appropriate pet supplies before adopting a cat or dog?
To make the beginning of your new life together convenient and safe, Bideawee's adoption centers sell basic pet supplies, such as dog collars, leashes and carriers.
ADOPTING A CAT OR KITTEN
How can I help my cat become comfortable in her new environment?
It will take a while for your cat to adjust to his or her new environment, so when you arrive at home we recommend keeping him or her in one room for a few days until he or she feels comfortable. Then you can slowly expand access to the whole house.
Be sure to show your cat where his or her food, water and litter box are located. Keep the litter box as far away from the food and water as possible.
Another thing that may help your cat feel comfortable is to leave the Bideawee carrier in the room. The carrier has the cat's scent in it and it gives her a comfortable and secure place to sleep or hide.
If you have other cats, the best way to help prevent them from getting a cold is to keep them separate for the first two weeks.
How should I introduce my new cat to my other pets?
All cats are territorial by nature. To give time for each animal to adjust to sharing territory, they should be introduced slowly to the other pets already living in your home.
As indicated above, cats should initially be kept in separate rooms. To begin the introduction process, we recommend first switching the cats' beds so each one can smell the other's scent. The next step is to allow the cats to meet each other. They are likely to avoid each other, even run from each other initially. This is normal behavior.
The best thing to do is to observe and supervise, but leave them alone to figure out the relationship. It's important not to force them. It is unlikely that you will need to intervene to separate them, but it's a good idea to have a towel handy in case your intervention is needed.
Is my cat/kitten litter box trained?
While he/she was at Bideawee they used the box. Normally they will continue to do so.
How do I ensure that my cat uses her litter box?
Show your new cat where the litter box is the first time you take them into the house. Do the same every time you move the litter box to a different location. Fortunately, kittens generally house train themselves. Show them where the box is located and they pretty much do the rest. However, because of their age, accidents may happen.
Is there a way to prevent accidents from occurring?
Keep the litter box clean so the cat will use it every time. A dirty litter box may deter them from using it. If your kitten starts to have accidents you should leave the kitten in a smaller area with the litter box, food and water while you are away during the day so that they cannot wander too far from the litter box. Do this for two or three days and you should be able to give your kitten the run of the house without problems shortly thereafter. Clean the litter box completely at least once a week: empty out the litter and excrement, rinse and clean with soapy water. Dry the litter box and refill it with fresh litter.
How do I keep my cat from scratching up my furniture?
Keep their nails short, give plenty of scratching posts, and play with your cat daily. Usually two to three play sessions per day for 15 minutes is sufficient. Be sure to use kitty teasers and not your hands to play.
How long does my kitten need to be fed kitten food?
Kittens should be fed kitten food until they are 8-12 months old.
ADOPTING A DOG OR PUPPY
How long is too long to keep a puppy in a cage?
Here is a good rule: Their age (in months) plus (+) 1 is the number of hours most puppies can physically hold it. For example, if a puppy is 3 months old, he can hold it for 4 hours reliably. Of course, if your dog is sick, he may have to go out more often. We often see pups go to the bathroom more often while they are awake, and less frequently at night when they are sleeping.
When is my puppy most likely to go to the bathroom?
1. After waking up.
2. After eating
3. During or right after a play session
When can I start training my dog?
As soon as you get him home. Puppies can learn just about everything an adult can; they just have a shorter attention span.
What kind of toys should I buy for my dog?
Kong type toys, hard rubber toys, and things that you can put food in to keep your dog occupied while you are not home.
For more frequently asked questions and their answers, or to ask your own question, please check out our Ask the Vet and Ask the Trainer sections or contact us.
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