Introducing Pets to Each Other
Whether or not your pets get along depend on their personalities. Your current pet may view a new pet as a threat; there may be a few scuffles as each animal establishes his “place in the pack”. Do not interrupt them if there is no danger of injury, and provided they are supervised at all times.
Some pets will merely tolerate each other. Others will become great companions (like my own two dogs and cat). Here are a few tips for introducing a new pet into your home.
Always supervise your pets until you are absolutely sure they get along. Until then, separate your pets by confining at least one of them to its own room. Only allow them to interact with each other with your supervision. It may take them hours, days, weeks, or even months for your pets to adjust fully to one another.
Introduce your pets indoors in controlled situations. Keep your dogs on a leash and do not tolerate any aggressive behavior. If you are introducing a cat to a dog, do not allow the dog to chase or corner the cat – even if it’s out of playfulness or curiosity.
When introducing a cat to a dog, do NOT hold the cat in your arms. A frightened or nervous cat may scratch.
Allow your new pet to familiarize itself with its new home. Temporarily confine existing pets to a room to give your new pet a chance to feel more comfortable with its surroundings.
Give your pets separate food and water bowls. If you are introducing cats, also provide separate litter boxes. Feed your new and existing pets in different locations.
Be especially careful when introducing dogs or cats to caged animals. Dogs and cats can live in harmony with rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, etc… but please introduce them under strictly controlled supervision. Keep in mind that cats are very agile, so placing a cage high up on a shelf doesn’t necessarily protect the caged pet. Don’t take any chances – one mistake could be fatal to your caged pet.
Give them time. Do not try to force your pets together; allow them to adjust at their own pace. Give all your pets – particularly the new one – time to gain confidence and decide when to face his or her new housemates.
Daisy
Meli
Featured Dogs: Daisy and Meli
Daisy and Meli came to shelter together when their owner moved. Daisy is 2 years old and looks like a dachshund/ beagle blend. She always has a smile on her face and is very outgoing and loves people. She does well on a leash and loves to go for walks especially with her friend Meli. Meli is about 4 years old and is a terrier/shih tzu. She is the quiet one of the two until you get to know her. She likes going for a walk with her friend Daisy. These dogs can be adopted together or separately.
Other available dogs:
Lewis- male 1 year old border collie/ wire hair terrier blend. Very smart boy, knows sit, shake, stay, down.
Farley- male 5 years old long haired dachshund blend. He loves being with people and going for walks.
Lane- male 5 years old Chihuahua. Shy and quiet. Loves being cuddled.
Chloe- female 2 years old poodle. Shy girl but loves being around people and doing well on leash.
Casper- female 1 year old terrier/ Westie. Full of energy, loves people and has the best looking ears around town.
Miss Kitty
Featured Cat- Miss Kitty
Domestic long hair 6-7 years old. She came to shelter because owner could no longer keep her and her housemate (who has already been adopted). This very sweet and outgoing girl loves to held, brushed and snuggled. Confident, easygoing, and fond of human attention, Miss Kitty would be a wonderful fit for a family new to cats or someone who has had cats before. She loves being on the cat tree looking out the window and down on all the activity going on around her.
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268
The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER
