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Keeping your pet safely contained at home is important for many reasons. To help keep you pet safe we found some simple and cost-effective ways to help you do that, and, in the case of an escape, we’ve listed some ways to help you bring them back home safely. Keeping pets at home, and out of shelters is a priority for us all. 

Tire Them Out

Taking your dog for a walk, run, or to the dog park can do two very important things in reducing the chances of them running away. A tired dog is less likely to want to get out and they’ll be more than happy to take a nap instead. When they get out to explore their neighborhood, they become more aware of their surroundings and will have less of an urge to escape and explore. Giving a bored dog something that is mentally or physically stimulating will reduce their chances of running away. Check out our other post on training your pet at home during quarantine and the benefits of giving them more mental stimulation throughout the day!

young beagle (17 weeks) looks over the garden fence

Akc.org

Make it More Difficult to Escape

If your property is not well-fenced or protected, make sure you are outside with your pet at all times, and have them on a harness and leash. If you do have the ability to fence in your outdoor space, there are specific types of fencing, like deer fencing, that can keep your pet in for lower costs. Walking around the premises and making sure there are no gaps in fencing on a regular basis is also important. You want to know where the weak spots are so you can act accordingly. Underground “invisible” fences can be effective, but they are not as successful in stopping a pet who really wants to go for a “stroll.” 

Keep them Occupied

More often than not, pets run away because they’re bored. By giving your pet an interactive toy or long-lasting treat you can curb their interest in running away. Mental and physical stimulation are important in stressful times, especially during quarantine when your pet may not have access to doggy daycare or the dog park, or other activities that typically keep them stimulated. Keeping them engaged is a key aspect in keeping them calm and content at home. Chewy and PetCo both have some great and inexpensive options on toys specifically designed for keeping your pets occupied. 

Petsami.com

Sometimes, even if you are being highly responsible in tending to your pet’s well-being, your pet can still run away from home. It’s important to know the steps to take after your pet goes missing so that you can spring into action.

What to do if your pet runs away 

If your pet runs away it’s vital that you get the word out, and as quickly as possible. Report you lost pet immediately to your local municipal shelter, in Miami, that is Miami Dade Animal Services. Post flyers in the general direction of where your pet ran away, around your neighborhood, and even in local businesses with a bulletin board. You can post in neighborhood or town Facebook groups with an attached picture and description of your pet’s appearance and demeanor. There are apps and websites specifically for locating lost pets. PetAmberAlert, Miami-Dade County Service for Lost & Found Pets, Pawboost, and CatNetwork are all great resources for finding your pet ASAP. Many of these sites offer a location filter so you can search through areas near and far to try and bring your pet home. 

Keep in mind that running away from home can be a very stressful experience for your animal so they may not be themselves and could run away from people trying to help them. And if this is the case it’s a good idea to remind people not to chase your pet, but to take a photo and send the location to you. You know your pet. Will they be lured by a treat or certain type of food? Make sure to mention that in your communications. 

Also, checking local veterinary clinics and shelters is a great idea. These are usually the first places people call or bring an animal when they find a lost pet. We also suggest looking into getting an ID Tag and microchipping your pet. In the event that they run away it gives them a much better chance of being reunited with your family. 

And most importantly, don’t give up! Be aggressive in your search. Pets have been known to come home after a few days and starting early in your neighborhood locations could make a big difference in the situation’s outcome. 

Prepare your supplies

Before bringing your rescue pet home, make sure you have all the supplies you need and place them accordingly. This will make their introduction to their new home smoother as they will know from the start where they will eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. For a rescue cat, you may want to invest in a scratching post as well. Cats scratch to leave their scent and mark their territory, so best if you take the initiative and save your furniture with a post. For a rescue dog, potty training should be one of the first things you do when you bring your rescue dog home. Introduce them to a “potty spot” and regularly bring them to the location so they can become house trained, and be consistent with your potty routine.

Assign them a safe space

A cat tree can give your rescue cat a sense of security. They enjoy high spaces and many cat trees come with scratching spots as well. For a rescue dog, make sure they have access to parts of your home where there will be people. Don’t isolate them in a basement or garage. By keeping them in a place with foot traffic they will become more comfortable with your family and integration will go much quicker. If you’ve decided to crate train your rescue dog, make sure the crate is a comforting area for them. You can reward them with a treat or toy whenever they voluntarily enter the crate and there are great online resources to help you teach your pet to love their crate.

Curbed.com

Introduce your pets slowly

If you have other pets, make sure they meet each other in a controlled environment. If you already have a dog, make sure your rescue dog meets them outside your home on neutral territory and somewhere without food or toys, and preferably outdoors where the original dog will not feel as territorial. If possible, it is best to have a trusted friend or a certified trainer help you facilitate this introduction in case one of the dogs reacts negatively to the other. Take it slow and pay attention to body language as your two pups meet.  If you have a cat and are bringing home a rescue dog, don’t introduce them right away. The scent will be enough for your rescue dog to know there is a feline there. When they are introduced, make sure your dog is on a leash to prevent any predatory instincts they may initially have towards the cat, and avoid chasing so that doesn’t become a set behavior between your cat and your dog.

MentalFloss.com

Give them space

Give your pet time to acclimate to their new surroundings before you introduce them to strangers. Moving is stressful for humans and pets; we all need time to adapt and decompress. They will need time to adjust to their new home and family before they will be ready to meet anyone new. Some one-on-one time will also give you time to bond with your pet and get to know their personality. The #333 rule says: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine, and 3 months to feel at home and safe, so following these will ensure your pets have space and time to acclimate to their surroundings.

Build a routine

Try to stick to the feeding schedule the shelter, or foster family, had your pet on. This will prevent accidents and keep a sense of familiarity in their lives. Checking with your vet about food portions, types, and times is also a good idea. After a while, if you must, you can begin to slowly change feeding schedules. If you plan on changing the type of food, do so slowly. A sudden change in diet can be harsh on your pet’s stomach.

Interactive toys

Toys can be a great way for a rescue dog or cat to decompress and relieve stress during the transition to their new home. They will also be able to focus their anxiety on the toys rather than taking to a shoe or piece of furniture. This can also prevent them from developing separation anxiety since they will have something to “work on” while you’re out of the house. Food puzzles, toys you can fill with yummy treats and snuffle mats can keep your pets entertained and their mind stimulated.

PetCentral.com

Provide basic training

Training mostly pertains to dogs. Training can help your rescue dog feel a sense of structure and stability. Your relationship will also become stronger as trust is gained and your pet begins to understand how it is expected to behave. If you take classes with them, look for positive reinforcement classes as they are the most effective when training your pet. Dominance-based classes can put a strain on your relationship with your pet and will not be as successful.

Read body language

Initially, your rescue pet may be anxious and timid with all the new changes in its life. Learn to differentiate between when they would rather be alone and when they’re willing to interact with you. Forcing a relationship may stress them out during such a drastic change in their environment. Give them space. Building trust after the abandonment and neglect your pet has experienced will take repetition, consistency, time, and most of all: unconditional love and a little patience.

For many of us, money is tight these days. The global pandemic has led to large-scale layoffs, unexpected medical bills, and other life stressors. While pets are getting more of our time and attention, the cost of taking care of them can be an added financial burden when we are already tightening our belts.  Here are some simple ways you can drive down the costs while still giving your pet the love and care they deserve:

1. Buy your pet food online

Many online retailers offer discounts on pet food orders when you order on a subscription basis. These kinds of loyalty programs can significantly reduce money spent and increase time saved. Chewy.com offers hefty discounts, sometimes as much as a 30% savings on your first subscription order, and Petco.com often offers up to 35% off plus free shipping on your first subscription order. Some online retailers offer up to 10% off of top pet food brands, and shipping is quick and often free for orders over certain amounts. Other internet-based retailers such as Amazon.com also provide similar subscriptions and discounts, allowing you to make sure you get the brands you want while still saving money. There are also other ways to save money on your pet food orders, for instance, rebate websites such as freeshipping.com which offers 10% cash back rebates to customers of several major pet stores.

2. Get pet insurance to offset medical bills, or find a low-cost vet

During times of crisis, it may be difficult to focus on your pet’s health when your health or the health of other family members is at the top of your mind. Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure that your pet’s medical costs are more affordable. Pet insurance plans can cover everything from basic care to accidents, illnesses, cancer, and emergency care, among other things. With a pet insurance plan, your pet will be taken care of without major worries about unexpected high costs: you pay the same flat fee either monthly or yearly and know up front what coverage is available. If the unexpected happens and your pet is uninsured, services such as CareCredit and scratchpay.com are both resources that offer financing services to allow you to break up payments over time for your pet care. There are also low-cost veterinary services that provide quality medical care to pets without breaking the bank. Make sure to shop around for the best vet prices when money is an issue. You can also drive down the cost of pharmacy items using online retailers, such as heartlandvetsupply.com, Chewy.com, or others. These retailers are cheaper than the vet, and may save you money on your pet’s regular Heartworm medication and other pharmacy needs.

3. Learn to do the parts of pet care you usually pay someone to do

Two parts of pet care that can be financially prohibitive are grooming and training. We sometimes bring our pets to groomers and trainers for the convenience and professional-level services, but these are jobs you can actually do yourself. On YouTube, there are countless resources to learn these skills, and many large pet welfare organizations offer resources and even online pet training classes. You will not only save money now, but also in the future when saving this money is less of a necessity, but still a great idea. Caring for your pet in this way will also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, and basic training and grooming skills are something every pet owner should have in their “toolkit.”

4. Ask for help

Accessing support from the people around us is another way to save money on pet care. Contact your local humane society or shelter. They may offer low cost services or resources that you can take advantage of, such as free vaccinations or food drives that can help you save on essential things. You can also request financial assistance from an American Veterinary Medical Association member veterinarian enrolled in the Veterinary Care Charitable Fund program. They offer charitable veterinary services to pet owners facing personal hardships as well as support for animals that are injured or rescued from abuse and neglect. Those are not your only options. For example, if you have to go into work every day and cannot watch your pet, think about swapping favors with friends or family members instead of paying for expensive services like dog walking or boarding. You are not the only one who needs help right now, and coming to mutually beneficial agreements is the best way for a community to support one another. Even a good relationship with your landlord can be important. Many housing options require a “pet fee” be paid, but landlords can be lenient and waive this fee during this time to allow you to focus on your financial recovery while continuing to care for your pet.

While these strategies can be helpful to save money, they are not the only way to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Remember that unconditional love, affection and attention are things that anybody can provide to their pets, and of course they are totally free.

Above all, your responsibility as a foster home is to provide a safe and loving home for your new foster pet. This can mean many things from providing proper care for your foster pet to helping your foster pet get adopted into a safe, loving, forever home. 

So what can you do to help your foster pet get adopted? 

1.     Make sure your foster pet is ready for adoption 

Many foster pets are already spayed or neutered, as well as microchipped and vaccinated. However, if your pet is not, it is your responsibility to ensure they are fully vetted as soon as possible so they are ready to be adopted. If they are not fully vetted, you can hit speed bumps after finding a potential adopter for your foster pet. If you are fostering from Miami-Dade Animal Services, your pet will receive all necessary care and services directly from MDAS. If you are fostering a pet for another shelter or rescue, speak directly with them about the specific needs of your foster pet.

2.    Create successful bios for your foster pet

Each pet has an individual personality and offers different relationships for different adopters. Create a bio for your foster pet that shows off its personality and individual quirks.  Things like how they interact with children and other pets, whether your pet likes walks, or toys or to play in water, and your pet’s “rescue story,” if you know it. Beyond a bio, take fun and compelling pictures and videos of your foster pet and be sure to use natural light when possible and avoid using flash photography to get the best pictures of your foster pet.  Show your pet in different environments and remember that getting closer to their level can help you get the perfect angle.  Record videos of your foster playing fetch or responding to basic obedience commands to show potential adopters how much training is necessary when they adopt and differentiate the pet from other pets up for adoption. Show potential adopters the GOOD things about the pet and leave the bad things for the meet & greet. Always be sure to be honest and thorough in the information you share to ensure the best possible outcome for your foster pet.

3.     Use social media to promote the adoption of your foster pet

Since you are already going to be taking pictures and videos of your foster pet for use in adoption profiles, you should use them as well to promote your pet on social media. Post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat. Be sure to tag @fomapets when you do, and your pet could be featured in our campaigns and you may get some free publicity for your pet to find a forever home. If your foster is from Miami-Dade Animal Services, include the pet’s ID number as a hashtag in all posts. Remember to send the pet’s profile to your own contacts and see if anyone you know is looking to adopt. You may just make a perfect match for your pet and for your friend.

4.     Get involved in (virtual) adoption events

While many of us are staying home during this time, shelters and adoption programs must get creative with how they have adoption events. Find digital adoption events that you can use to introduce your foster pet to potential adopters. These may be difficult for you to get involved in, so get creative with it. Go live on social media and show off what your daily experiences with your foster pet are. Or look for communities online that connect foster homes with potential adopters. Shelters and adoption services across the world are seeing an uptick in fostering and adoptions, so there are resources to help you find your foster pet its forever home.

5.     Enjoy your time with your foster pet

Fostering a pet will require a commitment from you to properly care for your pet, but it can be a very rewarding experience. In these uncertain times in which people are self-isolating in their homes, days can seem long and monotonous. Spending time with a pet prevents the feeling of loneliness and both you and your foster pet benefit. Go for walks so you both can relax,  get some fresh air together and train your foster pet in basic obedience, so your pet can be ready for its forever home. What better way to spend some of your extra time at home!

6.     It is okay to “foster fail”

Sometimes when fostering, you begin to fall in love with your foster pet. It is completely okay for you to decide that fostering is not right for you, but adoption is. All you have to do is put in an application with the shelter from which you’re fostering. If this sounds like you, make sure to do it quickly before someone else gets the chance! Fosters are encouraged to make their home a foster pet’s forever home and sometimes there’s nothing better than a “foster fail”!