Separation Anxiety Support
For Shelters and Rescues
There IS Hope!
Adoption Counseling and Placement Support
While it makes sense to question if being transparent about a dog’s known history of separation-related behaviors might deter interested adopters, it’s important to be open and honest about the dog’s care needs from the beginning. There are adopters out there willing to go the extra mile for a puppy with Parvo or a dog with diabetes, and the same is true for separation anxiety.
Ideas to Consider
- Write adoption cards that include a call to action and offer hope.
- Facilitate adoption counseling conversations that give potential adopters the information they need to make an informed decision.
- Download and use the adoption card and adoption counseling tools in our free resources packet.
Resources for Interested Adopters
In the same way it’s important to help interested adopters to understand the special care needs of any dog, helping them understand what separation anxiety is (and isn’t) and what it means to help a dog overcome this behavior issue is necessary for helping everyone (and dog) start off on the right paw. Download and use the suggested “For Interested Adopters” tools in our free resources packet.
Post-adoption Support
Offering post-adoption support can increase potential for permanency in the home and help adopters truly feel they are not alone once the dog is home. There are countless post-adoption supports shelters and rescues can offer and easily customize to fit the organization’s capacity and meet the adopter’s needs.
Ideas to Consider
- Check in post-adoption via phone, email, or text within a few days and again after 2–3 weeks. If possible, check in after a few months as well.
- Put together a separation anxiety critter care package to ease the transition in those first few weeks.
- Download and use the critter care tool in our free resources packet.
Support adopters in getting started with training by sharing Mission POSSIBLE, our self-paced online course that guides them through implementing a behavior modification plan for separation anxiety. We offer discounts to shelters and rescues wishing to share the course with adopters (and fosters, staff, and volunteers!). Use this form to request a discount code: Contact Form.
We are here to help!
If you don’t see what you’re looking for or would like some help getting started, please reach out to our team: Shelter/Rescue Contact Form.
Thank you!
My gratitude to you is infinite. I recognize the challenges that you face in your position and want you to know that we truly see your big hearts and tremendous efforts. Read our blog about how important our shelters and rescues are, and our commitment to them: See Them, Tell Them.
Resources to Download
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