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What is the process of going up for adoption like for an animal?

8/23/2016

 
FAQ > Lost & Found

When a pet first arrives, the R-H SPCA staff assesses their health and provides medical treatment if necessary. The R-H SPCA administers a DA2PPv (distemper/parvovirus) and bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine to dogs, and an FVRCP (feline distemper, calicivirus, rhinitis) vaccine to cats. These vaccines, when administered on intake, significantly decrease the spread of disease among stray animals awaiting reclaim. We also administer flea and intestinal worm treatments, document weight, estimated age and body score, clean ears, check teeth, cut nails, record body temperature, and photograph injuries.

After this initial processing, pets then await reclaim on their 3, 5, or 10-day hold. During that time, staff interacts with them to provide comfort. Behavior is monitored for signs of stress and steps are taken to alleviate it as best we can.

Then once a animal is legally into our custody, a formal assessment will take place. We look for signs of “sociability,” or a willingness to be with people. We introduce them to other animals of the same species to know what kind of home they will do best in. We play with them to see if they try to guard toys or if they get over-stimulated and how they channel it. We see how much they like being handled, or if they like it at all. Do they tolerate reasonable restraint that they will face at the veterinarian’s office? Do they guard their food bowl? All of these questions are important to test for and answer so we can place them in the most appropriate home.
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PHONE: 540-434-5270
EMAIL: info@rhspca.org
Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA
2170 Old Furnace Rd
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
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