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.
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
Mobility issues
Behavioral issues
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."
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).
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
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.
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."
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.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini dry dog food is tailored nutrition for Small & Mini dogs while being gentle on stomachs. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat.
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Chicken & barley entree with great taste and precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Supports ideal body weight for cats with different body types
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for cats age 7+
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome. Delicious food in a small bite size
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs
Healthy digestion for easy litter box clean-up
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat.
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Delicious taste of gourmet chicken in precisely balanced nutrition. Provide a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
Clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build-up
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Learn how corn can play a pivotal role in your pet's food and diet. Discover the benefits it has in improving your pet's overall health.
Are dogs and cats really mortal enemies or can they learn to get along. Read on to learn more about the myth of dogs and cats always fighting.
If you're considering adopting dog or cat littermates, learn some insightful information that might you decide if adopting siblings is really a good idea.
Learn how secondhand smoke affects your pets, including signs that smoking is affecting them, and why smoking around animals is dangerous to their health.
Learn why water is vital to your pet's health, including how much water dogs & cats should drink per day and what to do if they drink too much/not enough.
Learn how to determine how many calories your dog or cat needs each day, as well as how to count their calories and what to do if they're getting too many.
Learn more about the different types of viatmins that are important to your pet's nutrition, and what you should be looking for when buying pet food.
Learning how to take a dog's temperature (even how to take a cat's temperature) is clear evidence of a pet parent's commitment to their health.
Learn important considerations following a pet cancer diagnosis, including treatment choices, general expectations and information on palliative care.
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Learn tips for bonding with your pet if you've ever thought, 'My dog doesn't like me, or 'Why do I have a standoffish cat?'
Learn what it's like to adopt a special needs pet and how behavioral challenges or disabilities can be overcome to give them a proper forever home.
Let Hill's help you better understand how to read your pet's food labels, so you can ensure you are purchasing the right product for your dog or cat.
If waggy puppy dog tails and furry kitten yawns make you swoon, you're not alone. Why are cats so cute? And, dogs too! Let's find out!
If you have a new sitter for your furry friend, use our pet sitter checklist to ensure they know your pet's essential info & exactly how to care for them.
Worried if your cat or dog has a broken tail? Learn if it's actually possible for your pet to break their tail and what to do if you suspect an injury.
Even though avocados are healthy for humans, discover whether they're safe for dogs & cats (including details on potentially harmful ingredients for pets).
When the worst happens, you might not know what to do. Find out how to create a pet disaster plan to keep your fur baby happy, healthy and safe.
Discover helpful tips for training your puppy or kitten, including the best time to start training them and the importance of staying consistent.
Learn about the special relationship between bonded pairs of cats & dogs and why it's a great idea to adopt both of them together.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool