Sleepovers Available!

Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, but not quite sure if you are ready? Have another dog at home and want to see if they would enjoy the companionship of a playmate? The Humane Society of Broward County is offering doggie and kitty sleepovers for select pets; sorry, puppies and kittens are not available.

According to Cherie Wachter at the adoption center, “sleepovers give potential adopters the opportunity to see how the pet they selected will blend in with their family. It also gives the pets a break from being in the shelter. We started doing sleepovers on a limited basis when the Pandemic started last March and have had great success with it. More than two dozen pets were adopted as a result, including Marvel – a fabulously fun American bulldog mix who is deaf. His new family adores him.”

Pets typically available for sleepovers are those that have been passed by for no apparent reason. Once in a home environment, they relax and just want to be part of the family. In order to take home one of the select sleepover pets, a $50 deposit is required and the dog must leave with a collar and a leash. Sleepovers can last for a maximum of two weeks, at which time you will either need to bring the pet back or finalize the adoption and pay any remaining fees.

If you have thought about adopting, or think a sleepover might be right for you, stop by the Humane Society of Broward County located at 2070 Griffin Road, the center opens daily at 11:00 a.m.

Want to add something sweet to your life?
If so, Butterscotch (ID 642672) is waiting to meet you. This two year old, 56 pound gal loves attention and she is good with kids ages 5 and up. Butterscotch knows a few basic commands, especially if a yummy treat is involved and she enjoys going for walks. A proper walking harness would be recommended, since she does get excited and pulls a bit. If you have a dog at home that is looking for a friend, she might be the perfect match.

Beautiful Mu Mu (ID 641431) is eager to find a cat loving family to welcome her into their home. This petite, seven pound, tortoiseshell kitty is just a year old and already had a litter of kitties that had to be delivered by an emergency c-section. Her children have all been adopted and now, Mu Mu is patiently waiting for someone to adopt her, could you be her shining star?

If you would like to see other furry friends up for adoption today, go to:
Dogs: https://humanebroward.com/dogs/
Cats: https://humanebroward.com/cats/
Other Pets: https://humanebroward.com/other/

Preparing to Adopt:
If you lease your home, check with your landlord before adopting to be sure you are allowed to have a pet and can afford all required pet deposits. Pets are sometimes returned because of lease restrictions and/or the landlord’s disapproval of the pet chosen. This can be an expensive lesson, since the adoption fees are non-refundable and being returned to the shelter can be a stressful experience for the animal, as well, other members of your household should be aware you want to add a pet and should meet the pet before you decide to adopt. Every member of the family needs to consider, does anyone have allergies, are other members of the household, including children, afraid of animals, are you expecting other members of the household to share in the care of the pet? These are all concerns when caring for a pet in your home.

Consider the initial and on-going costs of a new pet. These costs include: adoption fees, food, grooming, obedience training, pet supplies, licensing, additional veterinary care such as diagnostic testing and preventative medication and these costs, can easily be $200-400 or more, within the first few weeks of adoption.

The adoption representatives at the Humane Society of Broward County recommend that you do not immediately expose your existing pets to a new pet. Consider how you will manage an isolation period, be sure that all existing pets are up to date on vaccinations and other routine health care before bringing a new pet, home.

Facilitating positive pet-to-pet introductions will require some management on your part too. Not all pets are instant friends and may require temporary or intermittent separation to ensure a smooth transition. Some pets are happy to share their home within a week or two, others may take a month or longer, to adjust. The adoption staff will be happy to review the steps to properly introduce your new pet to your resident pets.

All dogs and cats making the transition to a new home, will need time to adjust to a new family and may require house training and behavior training to correct problem behaviors. If you aren’t prepared to invest your time to teach your new pet, appropriate behavior and help the animal adjust, you should not consider adopting a pet at this time. Positive rein-forcement-based training is recommended, for all newly adopted dogs and puppies.

Before bringing your dog, cat, or critter home, make sure you have all of the supplies required to properly care for the newest member of your household. From toys and leashes to treats and litter pans, the adoption centers have a wide variety of merchandise available for purchase and the knowledgeable staff, can help you find the right products for your pet during the adoption interview process.

Please make a lifetime commitment to your pet, remember that the animal you choose has already been abandoned or unwanted at least once in its life. Dogs and cats may live 12 to 15 years or more, your thoughtful consideration, preparation and commitment will help insure a lifelong placement.

If you’re ready to add a furry friend to your family, visit the Humane Society of Broward County located at 2070 Griffin Road, a block west of I95. The shelter opens daily at 11:00 a.m. If you have any questions, call: (954) 989-3977 Extension: 6. To see who needs a home, visit: www.humanebroward.com.