Socialization ideally takes place over the earliest weeks and months of an animal’s life, however; when it comes to shelter animals, it’s not uncommon for neglected animals to have no socialization skills prior to coming into the shelter.
Animal shelters provide a temporary home for dogs and cats until they find a loving family to adopt them. To improve the chance of a quick adoption, shelter owners and staff members need to make proper socialization a part of the animals’ regular routine. A socialized animal is less likely to be fearful of new people and experiences and is less likely to lash out at others due to stress and anxiety.
While it provides numerous benefits to the dogs and cats being socialized, it also benefits the shelters that provide care. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of socialization, the consequences of not having socialized animals, and how you can start implementing it in your shelter.
Socialization Creates Happy, Well-Adjusted Pets
Socialization involves exposing animals to new experiences to reduce stress and anxiety surrounding them. Shelter dogs and cats will spend lots of time around other animals, and proper introductions ensure they feel comfortable in these situations. Similarly, introductions to a wide variety of people help animals acclimate in their new homes, which often entails seeing lots of new faces.
A properly socialized animal will have reduced behavioral issues. They can weather new and sometimes off-putting experiences, such as loud noises, without reacting in an aggressive manner. They will also be calmer and happier in general, both in the shelter and in the home of their new family.
How Lack of Socialization Impacts Your Business and the Animals in Your Shelter
Helping animals become accustomed to the world around them is not just beneficial to them, it can also greatly benefit your business. Just consider the impact poor socialization of shelter animals can have, including:
- Increased anxiety
- Aggression
- Skittishness
- Lack of obedience
- Fearful behaviors
Dogs and cats that aren’t effectively socialized will be harder to place with adoptive families. As a result, your shelter will be unable to take in new animals, which prevents you from fulfilling your mission to save as many animals as possible while also affecting your financial resources.
You and your staff will also face a greater risk of animal attacks when animals aren’t socialized. A fearful animal can cause serious injuries to the people in charge of handling them. In the event an animal in your shelter harms a visitor, you may also be liable from a legal perspective.
How to Properly Socialize Animals in the Shelter Environment
Socialization is a comprehensive process that includes many important steps. By taking the right approach, you can help the animals you care for feel more relaxed and at-ease, while also preserving the safety of shelter staff and volunteers. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
- Start the Process Early – With cats, socialization can begin as early as two weeks, while dogs can be socialized starting at three weeks. This period is prime for introducing new experiences to cats and dogs, which will help them develop healthy behaviors.
- Use Calm, Deliberate Actions – Inadvertently scaring an animal during socialization can cause them to develop poor associations with the process. That’s why you must be calm and relaxed at all times, as a calm demeanor illustrates that the animal truly has nothing to fear.
- Watch Animals Carefully – Socialization can be a lengthy process, and you should never push a dog or cat beyond their comfort level. Look for visual cues of discomfort or anxiety and remove the animal from the situation to avoid a negative reaction.
- Repeat the Process Regularly – By continually introducing new experiences to the animal, you will reduce the chance of them acting out fearfully. Along with people and other animals, make sure they’re exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, and smells throughout the socialization process.
Keep in mind that some animals will be easier to socialize than others. If a dog or cat has an inherently anxious nature, they will naturally be less agreeable when it comes to new experiences, people, and animals. These animals may require more training with socialization, and it may take longer to get them to a place of comfort. However, the effort is more than worth it when you see the end result, which is a happy, healthy pet.
The Supplies Your Shelter Needs for Ongoing Success
Animal shelters require dependable supplies to ensure four-legged inhabitants remain happy and healthy, and Direct Animal offers a wide range of quality animal shelter equipment you can rely on. From animal shelter kennels to essential grooming tools, you’re sure to be satisfied by our meticulously designed products.
