SFAS News:
SANTA FE — As families prepare to send their children back to school, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter is reminding pet owners that this time of year can be just as challenging for pets as it is for people.
Changes in routines and increased time alone can lead to stress and anxiety for our animal best friends. To help families navigate this transition with ease and ensure the safety and well-being of their pets, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter has shared tips and best practices with the community.
“Back to school time can be a chaotic and stressful time for pets as well as people. Routines change, pets may be alone more often, and emotions may be running high,” said Virginia Wood, Behavior Team Manager for Santa Fe Animal Shelter. “But there are some simple things you can do to make this transition easier – and safer – for your family and for your pets. As a mom of a soon-to-be-kindergartner, a certified behaviorist, and as the guardian of several mischievous dogs and miscellaneous other pets, I try to ensure that the beginning of the school year goes smoothly for everyone in the house.”
Tips and Best Practices:
- Open a conversation with your kids about the impending schedule changes and how these adjustments might affect the pets at home. Everyone can understand the stress of being left behind, but each family member can contribute to easing this transition.
- Store snacks, lunchboxes, and backpacks containing these items out of reach from your pets. Keep in mind that seemingly innocuous everyday snacks like raisins, grapes, chocolates, and sugar-free gum can be tempting yet dangerous for dogs.
- Ensure your pets have access to toys and other enriching activities if they will suddenly find themselves alone in the house. Animals that have been hanging out with their human housemates all summer could grow bored in the sudden hush of an empty home.
- Strive to establish a routine early on. Animals thrive when they have a sense of predictability, and the new school year can disrupt walking and feeding schedules. Consider incorporating a morning walk or a food puzzle into their routine to help them stay calm during the morning rush.
- Involve your kids in the new schedule! With some guidance, even very young children can participate in caring for their pets. This nurturing dynamic fosters and sustains positive relationships between household pets and children.
- Aim to minimize prolonged farewells when leaving the house or exuberant greetings upon returning. Much like your back-to-school kiddo, your pet may feel heightened emotions and anxiety from an exaggerated farewell, as opposed to a brief and calm departure.
In times of transition, our pets rely on us to guide them through changes with patience and care. By proactively addressing their needs and integrating them into the shifting rhythms of our households, we can shoot for a more harmonious and stress-free shift into the school year. Just as children embark on new adventures, our four-legged friends are also on a journey of adaptation and growth. By nurturing these relationships and respecting their unique perspectives, we can make the back-to-school season a time of bonding and mutual support for every member of our household, both human and furry alike.
About Santa Fe Animal Shelter
Since 1939, Santa Fe Animal Shelter has been dedicated to its mission of supporting animals, saving lives, and spreading compassion. As Northern New Mexico’s largest no-kill shelter, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.