Adopting new pets needs great consideration and planning.

Cheryl Chmielewski of Norwich volunteers as a Cat Snuggler and member of the Connecticut Humane Society's Fur Squad in Waterford.

She spends three hours once a week caressing, playing, and socializing with cats and kittens that have adjusted to their new surroundings at CHS, as well as earning the trust of those who are withdrawn or defensive.

It takes a lot of time to get the cats to realize they won't be wounded. During a telephone interview, Chmielewski stated, It's fine. They don't realize you're there to assist them. They're like, Where's my family? all of a sudden. What brings me here? I'm not sure what you're talking about.

For many years, the behavior department has supported Fur Squads at each of CHS' three locations. In an email, CHS Marketing and Communications Manager Susan M. Wollschlager noted, Dogs have the Mod Squad, where volunteers work on comparable things for dogs (including socializing and learning to trust humans), as well as training and commands.

Tips for caring for pets in the winter

Wollschlager has a lot of advise for animal lovers: In the same way that cars can get too hot for dogs in the summer, they can get too cold in the winter, which is why people should keep their dogs at home with their toys for their safety, warmth, and comfort.

I understand how appealing it is, because kids are bored over the winter. Maybe they enjoy travelling in the car, but you should err on the side of caution and avoid doing so, especially in these bitterly cold temperatures.

If you see a dog that appears to be in discomfort and has spent time in the car or in the weather, I constantly tell folks, See something, say something. You can report it to that business; you can call your local animal control, police department, or 911, and they'll get involved to make sure the dog is okay — just as you would in the summer," Wollschlager added over the phone.

Even if some dogs genuinely want to go for a walk or play/explore in the yard, you absolutely want to limit" their time outside to around 15 minutes when it's really chilly outside, she added. And that's assuming your pet is in good health and has enough of fluff in their coat.

Spend even less time outside for young and extremely old dogs, especially if they have health issues or their fur is very thin.

Coats and small booties are a possibility, according to her, as long as the dog is comfortable with them. Treats should be used to show them it's a good thing.

During specific weather conditions and nighttime outside, dogs must be tethered for 15 minutes.

You can take a storage container and cut a little hole in it for the cat to go in and out, Wollschlager said of those caring for stray and feral cats outside. She suggested placing straw within the enclosure instead of blankets or hay, which can absorb moisture and keep them warm.

Also, to camouflage and hide it from predators, choose a dark-colored container. It's also fine to keep an eye on the cats, their food, and their water, as well as the enclosure, to see if it's flipped over or needs additional straw.

If you encounter stray cats, she suggests calling your local animal control department. They can adopt them out if you have asked about and there are no missing cats that fit their description and there actually is no owner.

If the cat enables you to approach it and pet it, it is not feral, because a wild cat will not want to interact with humans. They won't approach you and ask for affection,Wollschlager said. Feral cats simply need to stay in their surroundings in their colony as long as it is secure and well-maintained.Our state is fortunate in that so many people in the community help these stray cats."

Consider your options.

Before getting a pet, Wollschlager advises thinking it over and making sure "the entire household is on board."

Veterinary bills, medical/behavioral difficulties, relocation, and landlord restrictions are all reasons why individuals surrender their pets to be rehomed.

According to her, CTS does not allow people to adopt a pet as a present. We want the person or individuals who will be the primary caregivers for their pets to be involved in selecting the animal and ensuring that it is ready for them.

So we have chats with them during the adoption process, she explained, "especially if the pet has some medical difficulties, like a food allergy, or maybe arthritis, or bladder stones, because we want them to come at it from every perspective and be as totally informed as possible. These are some of the methods we've been using for this dog who's working on leash manners, and these are some of the things that you can continue with... to ensure that it will be effective,' they would say to someone from our behavior team. We want to put both the pet and the people up for success, so they don't have to deal with these challenges in the future, and if they do, they know they can come to us for help and guidance on how to help the pet properly integrate into the family.

When it comes to dogs, pay close attention to the breed and its traits. There may be a kind of breed or mix that is really high energy and really loves to go trekking or be your jogging partner, and then there may be others that are more calm and may be a couch potato, or simply do not require as much cerebral stimulation or physical activity. Then there are those dogs who enjoy solving problems and having a job/responsibility, and if you don't give them one, they will create one for themselves. It may even entail damaging pillows, Wollschlager remarked.

Also, think about the age of the pet you choose. Kittens and puppies aren't for everyone because they're always learning new things. They have no idea what constitutes a toy or what does not constitute a toy. They're teething, which means they want to put everything in their mouth and chew on it. However, if you purchase a pet that is already an adult, they may come with some training and are a little more laid-back. As a result, you must consider your lifestyle and what will work best for you, your home, and your family.

It's always a good idea to seek out a local trainer and turn to an expert, since they've seen it all," Wollschlager said of behavioral concerns. They can provide you with a variety of techniques as well as examples of previous cases that are comparable to yours. So that's one possibility. We also have a full resource library on our website with different videos and articles regarding various behavior difficulties people might be facing, whether it's having several animals in your home, a litter box issue with your cat, your dog being fearful, or your dog not having any leash etiquette."

People can also save money on veterinary care and immunizations by making an appointment with a vet clinic or one of CHS' "pop-up" clinics. In Norwich, two are being planned for the spring. CHS also maintains a pet food pantry at each of its three offices and transports food when it travels to towns.

Some of the kitties Chmielewski deals with tug at her heart, she says. Her 16-year-old cat, Louie, which she acquired as a kitten from CHS, has health difficulties and is on a special diet, so she can't take any of them home.

She hopes that prospective pet owners realize that adopting a pet is a commitment. It's their way of life. You are their entire universe. Unlike a plant, which can be watered once a week, you have to have time for this animal to be attentive and play with it, according to Chmielewski. She also mentioned that guinea pigs can live for two years, whereas cats can live for 18 to 20 years.

Another factor to consider is when parents fail to follow through on their promise to teach their children responsibility by making them responsible for their pets' care. Will the animal be returned to CHS, or will the child's parents assume responsibility, or at the very least work with him?

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