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Pet of the Month
********************************************************** For Owner Surrender, contact intake@buffalocares.org
*Please include your name, contact number, description of animal and reason for surrender. Please also let us know if you are able to keep animal in your home until an adoptor is found.
DECOMPRESSION We’re making this post to talk about decompression when bringing a new animal into your home. We’ve recently had an increase in returns on newly adopted dogs. Dogs that come back to us through no fault of their own. Dogs that are returned and are living in homes with other dogs and kids, just as they were prior to being adopted. We are frustrated. These dogs then get relisted, and people wonder what’s wrong with them - because it must be the dog, right? It’s like when a house is pending and then relisted. It looks like there’s something bad about the house but in all reality the buyers financing fell through. The truth of it all, is that it all comes down to decompression. It is one of the most important things we stress when adopting out our animals. It’s so important, in fact, that it’s a specific piece of our contract. Newly adopted dogs need decompression and structure. They need YOU to guide them. All of our dogs come from all different backgrounds and experiences. It is completely normal, when adapting to a new home environment for them to revert back or be nervous. There is where YOU come in as their leader. They need you to listen to the advice given to use by trainers. They need you to guide them, to tell them it’s ok. And please note, guiding them absolutely does not mean free run of the house, immediate access to a bucket of toys, laying on beds and couches, having new people over to meet them etc. It does not mean letting them lose in the house to grab all the toys, jump on other animals, jump on furniture and be pushy. These are allowing insecurity to set in and are detrimental to the dog. You can’t do these things and expect it to miraculously work out. Guiding them means restricting visitors, toys, food, interactions with resident animals until they can get their bearings straight. It means setting a schedule. It means taking the full two weeks to a month to allow them to settle. It means every reward is earned until they can truly relax again. This is SO critical that it’s part of our contract. And yet, returns are increasing. We are frustrated. We see the email 24 hours after adoption - dog is guarding toys. Dog is jumping on the kids. You lied about dog and they must be gone today.
So we take dog back. Into his foster home with three other dogs and three kids. And dog has structure. Dog doesn’t have unlimited access to everything. And guess what. Dog thrives. Dog is the great dog we adopted out. Click here for our upcoming events ![]() Highlighted Dogs
See all the Dogs!
Hi, I am Mary. I am a lab/shepherd mix. My foster mom says I am very well behaved. And she is always telling me that I am pretty and such a good girl. Maybe it’s because I wear my listening ears all of the time. I know my sit, stay, “no” and I don’t like to disappoint so I really make sure I listen all of the time. I am very good at going outside. I would love a fenced ...read more about Mary
Hi, my name is Lucy Love, but you can call me Lucy! I’m a beautiful mix breed. I’m a very playful girl and I love to explore and play outside. My foster dad says that I would stay out there for hours if he did not make me come in, so I would love a fenced in yard in my forever home so I can romp and play!! I love to play with my K9 foster sister as we...read more about Lucy Love
Hi everyone!! My name is Pebbles, and I am a lab mix. My foster Dad says that besides being the most beautiful girl, with the best smile that I am also the sweetest girl in the world! I just love my people and wherever they are is where you will find me, whether it is outside playing or inside sitting on the couch watching TV. I love going for rides in my foster Dad’s truck, he sa...read more about Pebbles
Highlighted Events
See all of our events!
Annual Yard Sale -- Friday August 9th, 2024
Pups on the Patio -- Thursday August 22nd, 2024
Adoption-Vendor Event -- Sunday August 25th, 2024
Adoption Event -- Saturday September 7th, 2024
Catalyst Adoption Event -- Sunday September 8th, 2024
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