Adoption Support Package

Setting Up for Success: Your new pet has been through a lot of transitions in the last few weeks and will need some time to unwind in your home . We recommend keeping social visits with people beyond your household to a minimum to give your pet ample time to adjust. Here are some tips to help you acclimate your pet to your home:

• Create a safe private space for the animal. An oversized crate or a pet-proofed room is ideal. Keep things calm and quiet. Minimize noise and excessive socialization for the first 24 hours.
• Refrain from introducing your new pet to other pets until they’ve acclimated.
• Do not leave the pet unattended in a space beyond their safe crate or assigned room.
• Dogs should always be leashed when outdoors—even when in a yard. Scared and stressed dogs have a propensity for escaping and getting lost.
• Cats should always be indoors. Provide them with a designated hiding space in their room to help with acclimation.

Food & Water: Your pet should be provided with at least 2 feedings a day, unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. If your pet is underweight they may suggest a third feeding. Follow the feeding instructions found on the back of your pet’s food bag or on their canned food. These instructions will include details on how much to feed your pet for their specific age and weight. The Society feeds pets in our care Hill’s Science Diet. Overfeeding your pet may cause gastrointestinal upset. Please provide your new pet with access to fresh water at all times. Always feed from a steel or ceramic bowl as plastic is more likely to harbor bacteria.
Treats & Toys: We recommend having a variety of toys and treats available to keep your pet engaged. Toys like Kongs (dogs) or Kickeroos (cats) provide your pet with mental stimulation and healthy outlets for their energy. Items like licking mats and puzzle feeders are also great ways to keep your pet’s brain active. Whenever utilizing enrichment items please supervise your pet to prevent choking or the swallowing of foreign objects. Ensure that the products you use meet national safety standards by purchasing products that are made in the USA. Also be mindful of high value treats or objects should you have children or other pets in the household as some animals may be prone to guarding.

Spay/Neuter Incision Care: If your new pet was spayed or neutered within the last 10 days they are still in the process of healing from the procedure. Please do not bathe your pet until their incision site has fully healed. Also be sure to inspect the site daily and contact our clinic if there are any signs of possible infection.
General Pet Safety: Ensure that your home is pet-proofed before giving your animal free-range of your space. This includes hiding wires, placing chemicals and medications in upper cabinets, removing choking hazards and toxic plants, and ensuring windows/screens are secure. Never give your pet any medication not prescribed by a veterinarian. If you’re adopting a cat the safest place for them is inside your home. Cats who are allowed to roam outdoors are in danger of being hit by a car, contracting an illness, or becoming lost. Dogs who live in Cook County are required, by law, to be leashed at all times. The only exception is when utilizing designated Dog-Friendly Areas, like Chicago dog parks. If you’re looking to purchase training equipment for your dog we recommend martingale collars, Easy Walk harnesses, or Gentle Leaders. If you’re concerned about house-soiling or property damage when your dog is left unattended, we recommend investing in a crate to give them a safe, comforting space for when you are not home.
Training: The Anti-Cruelty Society is a strong proponent of positive reinforcement training. This approach builds a foundation of mutual trust, respect, and an understanding that will remain throughout your years together. Positive reinforcement training uses both praise and treats to reward your pet for a job well done. Once your pet learns they will be rewarded for a specific action, treats and praise will make them want to do it again. Learn more about specific training methods in our Pet Care Library.
House Soiling: Set your pet up for success by having a plan in place in advance to prevent house soiling. If you’ve adopted a cat, make sure their litterbox is set-up in a quiet, calm part of your home, and monitor the box for daily usage. If your cat is not using the box, try changing the texture of litter and/or location and type of box, as this often times resolves the issue. While at the Society your cat was provided with scent-free non-clumping clay litter for use. For dogs, it’s important to have a walk schedule in place immediately post adoption. Take your dog out for frequent walks as you both establish your housetraining routine. If you experience any ongoing difficulties with your new pet soiling your home, please reach out to our behavior team for support.
Grooming & Bathing: Once your pet has had a chance to acclimate to your home they may be ready to have their fur brushed, nails trimmed, or for dogs, enjoy a bath. Make grooming a positive experience by creating a calm environment while praising and rewarding your pet whenever completing these care basics. When bathing a dog be sure that they are completely dry before letting them outdoors.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Any change in diet—even a minor one such as switching food brands—may cause diarrhea and should therefore be gradual. No milk, table food or poultry bones should be given to your pet. Coping with a new home, new people and new diet is stressful, so allow your new animal time to adjust. It is normal for pets to have a reduced appetite for a few days after adoption. Do not worry unless the pet is young, the problem persists beyond two days, the animal is not eating at all or there is vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. If any of these signs persist within the first 14 days post-adoption, please contact a VCA Hospital to utilize your Healthy Start Certificate as mentioned above.
Intestinal Parasites: All animals at AC are treated with an oral deworming medication. Though your pet has already undergone this treatment, intestinal parasites may persist. If your pet has soft, watery, or blood-tinged stool, or is vomiting, they may have parasites. A fecal sample will need to be provided to your veterinarian to complete a diagnostic.
Kennel Cough (dogs): Kennel cough is a mild infection of the respiratory passages which spreads by close contact. Despite strict sanitary measures, it is difficult to control the disease in hospitals and shelter environments. The time from infection until symptoms appear is 5-15 days. Therefore, puppies and dogs examined and adopted within the past 2 weeks may be incubating the disease. The major sign of kennel cough is a harsh, dry cough worsened by exercise or excitement. Retching or gagging may follow; body temperature is usually normal. A severe cough may last up to five days; a mild cough may last for 10-20 days. Usually no treatment is necessary. If your new dog loses their appetite, becomes listless, feels warmer than usual, or is experiencing breathing difficulty in the first 14 days post-adoption, please contact your veterinarian.
Upper Respiratory Infection (cats): Upper respiratory infection (URI) is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory passages. The time from infection until symptoms appear varies from 2 days - 2 weeks. Symptoms of URI include sneezing, greenish discharge from the eyes and/or nose, oral ulcers, lack of appetite, fever (above 101-102 degrees) and lethargy. If you notice any of these signs within the first 14 days post-adoption, please contact your veterinarian.

Adoption Contract: A copy of your final adoption contract has been included in your virtual adoption counseling email. We encourage you to print a copy of this contract for your personal records. The adoption contract includes your pet’s Anti-Cruelty Society identification number as well as their 24PetWatch microchip serial number.
Medical Records: Your adoption counselor included a copy of your pet’s medical summary in your virtual adoption counseling email. Remember that your pet may be due for a booster vaccination soon after adoption. This is why it is important to reach out to a private veterinary practice immediately after adoption to schedule a new client appointment. If you, or your veterinarian, have questions regarding your pet’s veterinary records from The Anti-Cruelty Society contact us at 312-644-8338.
Rabies Vaccination Certificate & Tag: A copy of your pet’s rabies vaccination certificate will have been included in your virtual adoption counseling email. If you live in Cook County, we will be mailing your pet’s rabies tag to the address you indicated on your Adoption Questionnaire. If you live in another county, please contact your local municipality for details on how to obtain a rabies tag.
Microchip: Your pet’s microchip registration has been completed by The Anti-Cruelty Society and reflects the information provided on your Adoption Questionnaire. Should you move, or change your contact information, it is critical that you contact the microchip registration company, 24PetWatch, directly to update your information. Read more about your pet’s 24PetWatch microchip here.
ID Tag & Collar: The Anti-Cruelty Society has already outfitted your pet with a collar but they still need an identification tag. It is crucial that your pet wears a collar and tag at all times. Microchips provide information about your pet but are not GPS devices. That is why having an engraved tag with your contact information on your pet’s collar is so important. Please purchase an engraved tag for your pet as soon as possible following adoption.

The Anti-Cruelty Society Charity Clinic: The Anti-Cruelty Society offers post-adoption medical support within 15 days of adoption for pre-existing, contagious conditions. This service allows recently adopted pets access to our charity veterinary care should your pet be symptomatic of respiratory or gastrointestinal issues that may have been underlying prior to adoption. If you are unable to utilize one of the private veterinary clinics listed above, and your pet needs medical assistance, please call 312-644-8338 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Behavior Support: The Anti-Cruelty Society’s free Behavior Helpline offers support and instruction should you encounter behavior problems with your new pet. Our behavior specialists are available to answer questions and provide solutions on everything from separation distress to aggression. To contact our behavior specialists, simply call 312-645-8253 or email help@anticruelty.org.

Urban Dogs Virtual Workshop

Join our Urban Dogs virtual workshop and help make Chicago more pet friendly! We welcome all, especially Chicago dog owners and property groups. Society pet educator, Maggie Gleason, will unearth the mysteries of all things “doggo”. Learning why dogs behave the way they do can make a world of difference. Behaviors like leash pulling and nuisance barking can be, well, a nuisance. Learn training techniques for canines, and humans that will positively impact both. You’ll finish with the tools needed to advocate for responsible dog ownership and better your own canine relationships. Learn more or signup here.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: In the event that you find that your pet is not a good match for your home, know that we’re here to support you! We will happily accept the animal back if there are concerns that you are unable to address. All adoption returns require an appointment and can be arranged by calling us at 312-645-8220. We offer full refunds to adopters if an animal is returned to us within 30 days of the original adoption date. Our hope is that you won’t have to return your new pet, but also understand that there’s an art to matchmaking that may be lost in this virtual process. So please don’t hesitate to reach out to us should things not be working out.