News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, Leanne Bloom, Second Chance operations director and treasurer, is seen with Bingo, a shelter guest that was recently returned to Second Chance animal shelter in Alpena. Bloom said that Bingo needed more time to adjust to his new home and owners.

ALPENA — Local shelter advises pet owners to give adopted animals time to decompress, learn a routine, and feel at home.

Leanne Bloom, Second Chance operations director and treasurer, said that the “golden rule” is to give an adopted pet three days to decompress, three weeks to learn a routine, and three months to feel at home.

During this transition period, owners should expect to navigate anxious behaviors and accidents.

“They’re not being badly, they’re adjusting,” Bloom said.

During the first three days, adopted pets will likely feel overwhelmed.

After three weeks, owners might start seeing their pet’s personality show more.

“You may see more personality and maybe a few challenges,” she added. “They’re figuring out the rules and testing boundaries.”

After three months, adopted animals will start to build trust with their owners and their

“Bonding deepens. Training improves. Their true personality shines,” Bloom said.

She added that many returns happen in the first few weeks of an adoption, but “not because the dog isn’t wonderful.” She explained that adjustment takes time.

Bloom said it also may take more than three months for new owners to connect with their adopted fur friends.

“They are a challenge,” she said.

Bloom added that owners should understand that a human-pet connection is not instantaneous. However, she said that “when you have that breakthrough it is so rewarding.”

Bloom stated that people interested in adopting from an animal shelter should be prepared to be adaptable and flexible to the needs of their new family member.

“Be prepared to give it time and patience,” she said. “No dog is perfect.”

She said that when adopting cats, owners may notice that cats will hide when first introduced to their new home.

Bloom explained that Second Chance Shelter provides adopters with contacts of shelter staff if they have concerns or questions regarding their new pet’s behavior. She said that it doesn’t matter if an adopter calls a week from adoption or five-years down the road.

Bloom added that adopting shelter animals in general is an affordable option to add a pet to the family. She explained that most shelters will spay or neuter prior to adoption, and will likely administer required vaccines before shelter guests leave.

Some shelters will provide spay/neuter coupons for new owners.

At Second Chance Shelter, some adoptable pets are also partially sponsored, reducing the cost of adoption even further.

Though older dogs and cats may come with their own habits, Bloom said that adopting adult animals lessens the burden of having to raise and train a kitten or puppy. She added that when adopting puppies or kittens from breeders, owners will not necessarily have a support network that comes from an animal shelter.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.