Tips for Dogs - Frequently Asked Questions for Dogs Adopted by OPHS (2023)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – VERSION FOR DOGS

Congratulations on adopting a new dog! We know that adopters often have questions about policies and other adoption-related topics, so we hope this helps answer some of the most common questions.

microchips

• All dogs and cats adopted by OPHS are microchipped. Microchips are usually located between an animal's shoulder blades; However, there is a small chance that the chip will migrate to a different location around the animal's neck or chest.

• Microchips implanted by OPHS will be Home Again microchips, and OPHS will submit the new owner registration for those microchips at no cost to the adopter.

• However, some pets will come with microchips already implanted and registered to someone else by another brand (eg Avid, 24hrpetwatch, ResQ, etc.). In this case, OPHS will store the record of that microchip number (with the new adoption information) in our own computer system and will also re-register that chip number in the Home Again database, regardless of chip brand. . But it will be the responsibility ofadopterre-register the microchip with the original company it came from.Please note that additional costs may be incurred when re-registering the microchip with your company.

important details:

1. If you move or change your phone numberPLEASE remember to update this information with your pet's microchip company! Otherwise, the microchip is essentially useless if your phone number and contact information are not up to date.
2. If you need to accommodate your pet in the futurePlease remember that the microchip information is in YOUR name and any new owner(s) must update this pet's microchip information; otherwise, it will not be accurate or useful if the pet is lost.
3. you can getInformation in the Home Again emailcharge an annual membership fee. You do NOT have to pay this fee if you do not want the additional membership services. The microchip number is always saved for life, even if you don't pay any membership fees!
4. A microchip serves as a permanent means of identification and legal proof of ownership.🇧🇷 tutnoact as locator the GPS device.
   
   1. Each microchip has an individual number that is linked to a profile that contains your contact information. If your pet is lost, picked up, and scanned for a microchip (or tagged with the microchip number), the microchip company can be contacted and then contacted to locate your pet (provided your phone number is correct!).
   2. Microchips cannot be deactivated and can only be removed by surgery at a veterinary clinic. However, there are very few cases where it is necessary to remove a microchip.
   3. Microchips also serve as legal proof of ownership. If the pet is registered in your name, it is YOUR pet. Also, if your pet is lost or stolen, you can call the microchip company and let them know the status of your pet. They can mark their pet's profile as "lost" or "stolen" so that no one else can claim the pet as their own.

Microchips for the public:OPHS can microchip dogs and cats for a fee of $35. This fee also includes submission of registration information by OPHS. Please contact the front desk staff if you have any questions about microchipping your other pets.

FREE VETERINARY EXAM

• Every adoption includes a free veterinary visit at one of our participating local animal clinics. You must call your clinic to make an appointment. We recommend calling soon after adoption (within 2 days) so you can see your pet quickly.

• This free visit will help you prepare your new pet at the veterinary clinic and will give you the opportunity to examine your pet and identify potential health problems. Remember that this free visit ONLY covers an exam and does NOT cover any additional diagnoses or medications. If you decide to obtain additional veterinary services for your new pet, you do so at your own risk and OPHS is not responsible.

• While we do our best to screen all of our animals for health issues and communicate any known issues to adopters, we may occasionally overlook things that your vet may find during the screening. If your vet diagnoses a health issue that you don't want or can't address, contact OPHS to see if we *can* help treat your pet, or you can return the pet to OPHS within 2 weeks for a refund of the cost of adoption.

• After the 2-week window, OPHS will still accept an animal if there is a health concern, but the adoption fee will not be refunded.

vaccination policy

• Policies and protocols for vaccinating animals in shelters differ from those for pets. The probability of exposure to disease is often very high in a shelter environment, and the consequences of a possible infection can be devastating for both the animal and the rest of the shelter. Therefore, it is our policy to vaccinate all animals upon admission using a species- and age-appropriate vaccination schedule (unless they come with a recent vaccination record, are too dangerous, or are not healthy enough). ). Vaccination).

• For dogs/puppies this includes at least:

1. An injectable DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus) vaccine.
   
   1. OPHS will boost this vaccine in 2-3 weeks for puppies under 6 months of age if they have not yet been adopted. Post-adoption vaccinations are the responsibility of the adopter.
2. An intranasal vaccine against Bordetella bronchiseptica
   
   1. This vaccine is not boosted at OPHS

• OPHS will also provide a rabies vaccine for all adopted dogs and cats. Most animals receive a rabies vaccination before going home with their adopters. Adopted animals that do not receive a rabies vaccination at the shelter can receive a free vaccination at one of our participating animal clinics (call required).

• The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that all dogs and cats (4 months and older) be vaccinated against rabies at the time of release (ie, adoption). Although administration of this vaccine should ideally be separated by at least 14 days from administration of other vaccines, the AAHA still recommends that shelters be vaccinated against rabies at the time of adoption, regardless of when the vaccines were administered. previous.

• This protocol may not follow the guidelines of your own veterinary practice and they may recommend that you revaccinate your pet against rabies after waiting for the optimal period of at least 14 days. If they recommend this, OPHS is not responsible for paying the cost of the revaccination.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

• As mentioned in the vaccination section, the chances of being exposed to a disease are usually very high in a shelter. We are an open admission shelter, so we accept animals of unknown origin (ie strays and abandoned animals) and sometimes transfer animals from other shelters that may have been exposed to contagious diseases. That is why we apply the vaccination policy described above. We take every measure possible to ensure that each animal has some level of protection against contagious diseases. However, vaccinations cannot prevent ALL diseases and your foster pet has likely been exposed to the following diseases:

• Upper respiratory tract diseases / Bordetella ("kennel cough")– This is a very common disease that occurs in dogs that have been kept in a kennel. In most cases, in healthy dogs, this will manifest as a mild cough or sneeze that will eventually clear up on its own, similar to a common cold in humans. But for some less healthy dogs and some older dogs, kennel cough can turn into life-threatening pneumonia if not treated properly.
  • Our dogs are vaccinated against Bordetella when ingested, but some dogs may still get kennel cough despite this vaccination.
  • Kennel cough is highly contagious and can be transmitted through aerosol droplets, physical contact between dogs, and indirect contact through human hands or by sharing a bowl of water.
  • If there is an outbreak of kennel cough at OPHS, we will inform visitors and adopters of the situation.
  • If your dog coughs or sneezes, "quarantine" him on your property, or at least avoid exposing other dogs to potential illness (for example, by staying at dog parks, pet stores, or visiting friends). until they show no further signs of illness.
  • If you think your adopted dog is showing signs of kennel cough and needs medication, contact OPHS and we can help treat your dog.

• parvovirosa– This is a very serious virus that has killed many dogs and puppies. It is a virus that usually only affects puppies, but older dogs can sometimes contract this virus as well. There is no exact cure for parvovirus, all a vet can do is provide supportive care and hope the dog survives and recovers while the virus runs its course.
  • All dogs/puppies with OPHS are vaccinated against parvovirus and the vaccine is highly effective in preventing this disease from becoming a serious disease in the vast majority of the canine population. However, puppies are very susceptible to this virus and some may test positive for parvovirus after exposure and become ill despite vaccination.
  • While dogs in a high consumption kennel can certainly be exposed to parvovirus, it is a virus that is easily detected in the environment and can remain in the environment for around 30 years. Your dog can be exposed and get sick by going to the dog park, going to the beach, or going to a friend's house who had a dog with parvo. Therefore, it is very important that your dog remainscomplete seriesof vaccines considered "protected" from parvovirus.
    • More information on puppy vaccinations can be found in the brochure Puppy Vaccines!
  • If your adopted dog tests positive for Parvo within 10 days of leaving OPHS, please contact us!

WHAT FOOD does my dog ​​eat at the shelter?

• Unless we have informed you that your new puppy needs oneSpecifictype of diet, your dog will most likely eat a "regular" adult kibble mix.

• We depend on food donations to feed our animals, so we receive different brands and types of food. This means that the type of feed we feed animals can vary from week to week or even day to day. Because of this, you should be able to feed your new dog any food of your choice right away. Keep in mind that any change in the diet may cause a mild stomach upset. Therefore, give your new dog a few days to get used to the new food you are going to give him.

• If you are looking for advice or recommendations on feeding your pets, ask your vet for suggestions.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

• Many of the animals we receive at the shelter come to us with no known history or history. Additionally, some animals come to us with known behavioral problems that require attention and training. While we do our best to behaviorally assess each animal to ensure it is available for adoption and placed in a suitable home, we cannot fully guarantee an animal's behavior once it has left the shelter.

• If your new pet has a known behavior problem that requires additional attention, OPHS has asked you to sign a waiver to ensure that you are aware of your pet's needs and are willing to take full responsibility for them.

• If you have unexpected behavior problems with your newly adopted pet, you can always call the shelter for information or advice. While we don't individually know how to proceed in a particular situation, we may know someone we can recommend if you have an animal behavior problem.

• Please understand that it may take time for your new pet to get used to you and your lifestyle. It is recommended that you give your new pet at least 2 weeks rest at home before exposing them to visitors or other new people (excluding your free visit to the vet). Landing in a shelter and then being introduced to a new home can be extremely stressful. Adding more experiences too quickly can cause your pet to display negative behaviors.

• See the Tips for Your Newly Adopted Dog and Additional Information sheets included in your adoption packet for more information.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

• While we do our best to make sure each adoption is a good fit with a forever home, sometimes you never know how an animal will adjust to a new home/owner/life. Because we know some adoptions just don't work out (for various reasons), we give each adopter two weeks to return an animal for a full refund. Outside of these two weeks, we definitely accept any animal and encourage adopters to return an animal to OPHS rather than assign it to someone else.

• Refunds will likely be in the form of a check. Please note that it may take a few days for a check to arrive in the mail.

SPAYS / NUTRIENTS and TATTOOS

• All dogs and cats adopted by OPHS are spayed or neutered before going to their new homes.

• Animals that come to us with no known medical history are examined for evidence of spaying or neutering prior to adoption. In men, this evidence is found in the absence of testes and testosterone-related traits. In females, we look for a scar on the abdomen, below the "belly button," and other markings that indicate the animal has been spayed. If we believe there is sufficient evidence to determine that an animal has been spayed or neutered, we will mark it as such and place it up for adoption.

• However, it is possible for an animal to come to us with "evidence" that it has already been spayed/neutered, but is actually NOT. In these cases, if your veterinarian determines that your adopted pet has NOT been previously spayed/neutered, please contact OPHS to arrange for this surgery to be performed on your pet.

• Animals found intact (not "fixed") are spayed/neutered at OPHS before being placed for adoption.

• If you've adopted a dog that recently had surgery, you may need to monitor the incision to make sure there isn't excessive inflammation or infection. Please refrain from allowing your pet to lick the incision and contact OPHS if your pet appears to be having a problem with the surgical site. Shelter staff will talk with you about whether there may be a problem with your dog's surgical cut.
  • It is normal for dogs to have a "lump" under the incision for a while. This is probably a suture reaction and will slowly resolve over time. If the lump is red, painful, bleeding, or oozing in any way, tell OPHS right away.

• Animals spayed/neutered during OPHS will receive a green line tattoo next to their incision as proof that they have been surgically altered.

UPDATES, PHOTOS AND HELLO

• We encourage adopters to send in photos and updates on how their newly adopted pets are doing! From time to time we may share these happy stories on our Facebook page or forward the message to people who have worked closely with that particular animal.
• Even visits to the animal shelter are not a problem for us! As long as you're not stressing your dog out, you can bring him in for a quick hello and a treat!

LICENSES for DOGS and CATS

• Yes, that's right, you must license your dogs AND cats in Clallam County!
• Licensing your pets is not only a county requirement, but license marks also serve as a form of identification and help reunite stray pets with their owners and avoid recovery fees when your pet is brought to OPHS .
• 100% of royalties go directly to OPHS!
• The pet license is the same for all of Clallam County whether you live within the city limits or not, so you don't have to get a new one just because you've moved to a new location.
  • But! If you move, it is best to update your contact information with OPHS.
• We recommend that you wait until you know the adoption will work before registering your newly adopted pet.
• Licenses can be obtained at the following locations: OPHS, Sequim Animal Hospital, Family Veterinary Clinic, Port Angeles City Hall (only if you are a resident of the City of Port Angeles), Sequim Police Department (only if you are a resident of the City of Sequim ), the Clallam County Sheriff's Office (only if you are a resident of the county).
• Not allowing your pet is a civil offense punishable by a $250 fine.

LICENSE FEES:

Dogs

• Intact (not spayed or neutered): Annual license only available = $55/year
• Castrated or Castrated:
• Annual license = $10/year
• Lifetime license (dog must be microchipped) = $50

Gatos

• Intact (not neutered or neutered) - only annual license available = $55/year
• Castrated or Castrated:
• Annual license = $10/year
• Lifetime license (cat must be microchipped) = $50

• If you license your pet but lose the tag, you can purchase new tags for $5.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

It is recommended that you speak with the veterinary clinic of your choice about what to do if your pet has a medical emergency. Some clinics have on-call hours, others do not. You don't want to have to wonder who to call when you need help!

Even if 911 calls are available, it may be wise to take your pet to one of the 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals in Kitsap County. Below you will find information about these hospitals.

VCA Central Kitsap Animal Hospital

2238 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Suite 100

Silverdale, WA 98383

Phone: 360-692-6162

Animal Trauma and Emergency Center
Calle Lindvig, 320
Poulsbo, WA 98370

Phone: 360-697-7771

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ADOPTED PET, PLEASE CALL US AT 360-457-8206