Everyone dreams of the “perfect” pet. You found a dog or cat that you think fits you or your family perfectly. But this “perfect pet” came from the shelter which means that there may be a longer period of adjustment for both you and your pet than you might anticipate. Many shelter pets were surrendered by someone they loved through no fault of their own, or were abused and neglected so they are scared, wary and insecure in a new home with new people.

Before you think of bringing your new friend back to the shelter, please contact us concerning these issues. There are ways we can help keep you and your new friend together. If you are willing to have patience, you can usually weather the situation, and both of you will be the better for it. One of the biggest and best ways to be able to keep your new dog is to crate train your pet. Contrary to the belief of some, this is not cruel to the dog, but rather, duplicates the type of safe shelter he/she would seek in nature. Most, if not almost all, issues can be resolved with patience, understanding and teaching basic obedience skills.

Contact us and ask us for help with your new pet. We will do anything that we can to help keep you together and assure that a precious animal has a “forever” home. Please know that the shelter staff really would like to see you keep your new friend, so they will encourage you to try alternative efforts rather than simply return the animal.

Sometimes, though, things just don’t work out no matter how hard everyone tries. If, for whatever reason, you aren’t able to keep your new pet that you adopted from the us, please note that you must return the animal to Hillside SPCA.

Our contract clearly states, “If for any reason the Adopter is unable to provide care to the animal, the Adopter agrees to return the animal to the Hillside S.P.C.A., Inc. The Adopter shall not offer the animal for sale or give the animal to any third party without the prior written consent of the Hillside S.P.C.A., Inc.” (note: third party includes another shelter) You may think that you can find a good home for your pet, or perhaps you’re embarrassed to return to the Hillside, but no matter what, please honor the contract you signed and bring the animal back to us.