Adopting Special Needs Pets

Adopting a dog or cat with special needs isn't for everyone. Some people may shy away from dogs and cats with disabilities, health issues or behavioral concerns due to the added layer of care and preparation these pets require. But when you adopt a special needs dog or cat, you give them the love and stability that all animals deserve.

If you're thinking about opening up your home to an extra-special cat or dog, read on to learn more about special needs pets and what makes adopting them both challenging and rewarding.

Understanding Special Needs Pets

Andee Bingham, a former shelter representative at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (BWAR) in Asheville, North Carolina, defines a special needs pet as "one who has a behavioral or medical challenge that requires specialized care and attention from staff, volunteers, foster parents and potential adopters."

Some examples of special needs in dogs and cats may include:

• Chronic, terminal or age-related health conditions

• Deafness

• Blindness

• Mobility issues

• Behavioral issues

Preparing Disabled Pets for Adoption

Finding homes for dogs and cats with special needs requires a lot of preparation from everyone involved. "It's very important to us that each and every one of our animals goes to an appropriate home," says Bingham. "When it comes to animals who have special needs, that often means offering support and training to both the animal and the adopter."

This level of support includes a team of trainers and behaviorists that work together to train and socialize behaviorally challenged pups, as well as a team of veterinarians who can provide specialized medical care. Some pets also receive prosthetics and mobility aids along with physical therapy and any necessary medications to improve their quality of life.

Prospective adopters also undergo rigorous training and evaluation. "It's important to us that our pets are matched up with the right family," says Bingham. "Depending on the intensity of the need, some animals require specific types of home environments or restrictions. A very anxious dog who has proven themselves to be a flight risk, for instance, may be required to go to a home with a 6-foot fence."

BWAR's employees view each animal as an individual and consider their unique needs when matching them with prospective homes. "Our behavior team routinely works for days or weeks with prospective families to make sure it's a good match and that the family is invested and properly trained to keep them safe and happy in their home."

Adopting a Special Needs Dog or Cat

Because of the specialized care required for dogs and cats with special needs, shelters don't tend to adopt these pets out to just anybody. Prospective families must often meet certain requirements to be considered. Apart from demonstrating the ability to provide the necessary care, the ideal adopter is ready to meet their pet's unique set of challenges with enthusiasm.

If you're looking to adopt a special needs dog or cat, it's important to heed behavioral counselors' and veterinary staff's advice. When you show a willingness to follow through and take initiative in continuing a pet's care, you demonstrate you're up to the challenge (and then some).

Ongoing Support for Forever Families

One important aspect of special needs adoptions is ongoing support for pets and their new families after they settle in at home. "We believe that the best way to keep special needs animals in their homes is to provide post-adoption support," says Bingham. "Our team is always available to answer questions and to help problem-solve any issues that may come up post-adoption. Our goal is always to keep animals in their loving homes when possible." Most shelters share this goal and provide whatever level of support they can post-adoption. Contact your local shelter to see what resources or programs are available.

Giving a Pet Their Happily Ever After

For dogs and cats with special needs, getting matched with the right family can be a game-changer. Bingham shares the story of Mystika, an Australian shepherd mix whose intense distrust of strangers made adoption difficult. "When potential adopters peered into her run, she'd jump up on the cage to bark and growl at them. As you can imagine, visitors were scared of her, and interest from potential adopters was few and far between."

When a family expressed interest after seeing Mystika's profile online, the behavioral team explained her challenges and needs, which did nothing to dissuade the family's interest. The shelter spent weeks working with Mystika and her prospective family to prepare them to bring Mystika home — which they eventually did.

"I visited her in her new home shortly after they adopted her, and she was like a completely different dog," says Bingham. "The family lives on a large chunk of land, set back far from the road. They rarely have visitors and they have a tried-and-true routine when they do, so Mystika's 'stranger danger' is rarely a challenge anymore. She's relaxed and happy. They're absolutely the best family for her."

Embracing the Challenges and Rewards

It's understandable that not everyone is up to the challenge of adopting special needs pets. For some, however, it's well worth the additional effort and expense.

Remember that dogs and cats with special needs are every bit as capable of love and affection as other pets, and their needs don't detract from the joy they bring to their forever families. If you think you might have what it takes to provide a loving, nurturing home for a pet with special needs, contact your local pet shelter to find the furry friend who will brighten your life.