What You Need to Know
Congratulations!
If you’ve recently adopted a new pet from WCHS, congratulations! Here’s what you need to know about giving them – and your family – smooth transition to life in your home. We also have many great ways to stay connected to Wood County Humane Society. Please follow our WCHS Alumni Page on Facebook page and share your furry friend in their new home!
Please allow your new pet time to adjust to its new family and surroundings. Some pets adjust more quickly than others. We perform post adoption follow up calls to see how everyone is adjusting. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! Lastly, we do welcome all our adopted pets back, but all efforts must be made to work through any issues that may arise, and an appointment must be set up for re-entry.
Taking your new pet home
The shelter can be a stressful place for pets. You may see your new pet’s behavior change over the course of the next few months once you get home. The best thing to do is spend a few days just hanging out at home getting to know each other.
Health and Vaccination Information
The health of your pet is always critical, particularly during the initial transition time into your home. Often, we receive animals from households in crisis, and we may not know if they received proper preventive health care. Despite the health care and nurturing we provide; animals are exposed to more stress in the shelter than exists in the home environment. This stress can weaken an animals' immune system, making their health more vulnerable.
As part of our adoption program, we are committed to helping ensure that your new pet is healthy upon adoption. We have not noticed any signs of disease in this animal unless noted in the medical record that was provided to you at the time of adoption. To ensure your pet's ongoing health, we encourage you to select a veterinarian that provides a free physical exam for animals adopted from us and schedule an appointment within two weeks of adopting your new pet. At that time, your veterinarian can determine any health issues that may have developed since adoption, or conditions that were not apparent during the animal's stay at the Wood County Humane Society.
While at the Wood County Humane Society, your pet received the following vaccines and/or treatments. Many animals receive more than what is listed below. This is just the basics that all animals receive. Please review your medical history for other medical issues diagnosed/treated.
Heartworm Test (Dogs)
Heartworm tests are performed on dogs 6 months of age and older. Any dog under 6 months of age is still kept current on heartworm prevention starting at 8 weeks of age. Dogs that test negative are kept current on heartworm prevention while in the care of WCHS. Dogs that test positive for heartworm disease are treated according to current protocols before being placed up for adoption.
WCHS strongly recommends heartworm prevention is given to all dogs (age appropriate) year-round. For a variety of heartworm preventatives (oral, topical, injectable), please consult your veterinarian.
FIV/FeLV/Heartworm Test (Cats)
Feline Immundodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and Heartworm tests are performed at intake on all cats 8 weeks of age and older. Additional/annual testing may be recommended by your veterinarian post adoption.
DA2PP Vaccination (Distemper Combination)
This vaccine, given to dogs upon intake, includes Canine Distemper (upper respiratory virus that can affect the central nervous system), hepatitis (liver infection), parainfluenza (upper respiratory infection) and parvovirus (a severe gastrointestinal virus that is highly fatal to dogs and puppies if not treated early). Puppies and dogs may need additional doses administered by your veterinarian over a period of weeks or months to achieve maximum immunity from disease. Until these are completed, it is best to limit the exposure your pup has to other dogs. Many serious dog illnesses are spread by fecal material, so properly dispose of waste, and avoid areas of elimination used by other dogs.
DHLPP Vaccination (Distemper/Leptospirosis Combination)
This vaccine, given to dogs 8 weeks and older upon intake, includes canine Distemper (upper respiratory virus that can affect the central nervous system), hepatitis (liver infection), Leptospirosis (a blood infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira and can affect humans and animals), parainfluenza (upper respiratory infection) and parvovirus (a severe gastrointestinal virus that is highly fatal to dogs and puppies if not treated early). Puppies and dogs may need additional doses administered by your veterinarian over a period of weeks or months to achieve maximum immunity from disease. Until these are completed, it is best to limit the exposure your pup has to other dogs. Many serious dog illnesses are spread by fecal material, so properly dispose of waste, and avoid areas of elimination used by other dogs.
Rabies Vaccination
All our dogs and cats who are old enough are vaccinated for rabies. We vaccinate all dogs and cats over three months for this zoonotic disease.
FVRCP Vaccination (Distemper Combination)
This vaccine, given to cats upon intake, includes Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpes virus), Calicivirus (another viral upper respiratory disease) and panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper or infectious feline enteritis). Cats and kittens may need additional doses administered by your veterinarian over a period of weeks or months to achieve maximum immunity from disease.
Bordetella Vaccination
This vaccine, given to dogs upon intake, protects against what is commonly called 'kennel cough' in dogs. This is an upper respiratory illness easily spread where lots of dogs gather.
FVRC Nasal Vaccination
This vaccine, is given once to kittens at 6 weeks of age, includes Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpes virus), and Calicivirus (another viral upper respiratory disease).
Canine Influenza (Bivalent) Vaccination
This vaccine, given to dogs upon intake, protects against Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu. CI is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs and cats. At present, two strains of canine influenza virus have been identified in the United States: H3N8 and H3N2.
Deworming
A preventive dose of medicine to eliminate roundworms and hookworms was given to all dogs and cats. Additional intestinal parasites that are noted are treated accordingly. Continued treatment and other types of parasite control may need to be provided by your veterinarian depending on your pet's needs.
Microchip
Petlink microchips are inserted into pets that are not already microchipped when they arrive at WCHS. For pets that are already chipped, transfer information is provided to the adopter. Petlink microchips include lifetime enrollment with basic owner and pet information included. Pet owner contact information is free to update at no charge for as long they own the pet. For a onetime upgrade fee of $ 19.95, pet owner can add photos, add additional contacts, use the lost pet poster builder and social media exports.
Spaying/Neutering
All our animals are surgically sterilized prior to being made available for adoption. If your new pet recently had surgery, you should keep an eye on the incision site, but you do not have to worry about stitch removal as there are no stitches that need to come out. Watch for any redness or swelling and contact us if you have any concerns.
If your newly adopted pet was recently spayed/neutered please adhere to the following post-surgical instructions, which should be included in your adoption information:
*Your pet should take it easy for at least 10 days after surgery.
*Provide rest away from other pets and children with no jumping, swimming, or running. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors.
*Females and males are marked with a green tattoo on their abdomen to clearly identify them as altered in the future.
*Bathing your dog after surgery is fine since many dogs’ that leave the shelter are in need of a bath. Avoid scrubbing or submerging the incision area and then gently pat the incision area dry.
*Check the incision (or scrotum) daily to watch for excessive swelling, bleeding, pus, redness, or pain.
*DO NOT ALLOW THE ANIMAL TO LICK OR CHEW AT THE INCISION as this may cause infection. If your animal is licking or chewing, contact us about borrowing an e-collar, or stop at a pet store to pick one up.
*The suture used to close the surgery is absorbable material, so it does not need to be removed. Male dogs and puppies typically have no suture in their incision, but surgical glue may have been used.
*Absorbable suture material will dissolve on its own within a few months.
*If you have questions or concerns, please let us know!
Free Physical Exam
Many of the veterinarians in our community offer free physical exams for your newly adopted pet. Please refer to your adoption paperwork to see which ones participate. When you take your pet for the examination, also take your adoption paperwork with you. The detailed medical history will identify the vaccinations and treatment your pet received here at the Wood County Humane Society.
Dog Licensing Information
We encourage every dog owner to purchase a dog license for each of their canines. Licenses are available online, mail-in, or at the following locations (please contact either the Wood County Dog Shelter or the Auditor's office if you have further questions):
Wood County Dog Shelter
1912 East Gypsy Lane Rd.
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
419-354-9242
Wood County Auditor
One Courthouse Square (Second Floor)
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419-354-9150
Training Classes (for dogs)
Currently unavailable
Free Physical Exam
Many of the veterinarians in our community offer free physical exams for your newly adopted pet. Please refer to your adoption paperwork to see which ones participate. When you take your pet for the examination, also take your adoption paperwork with you. The detailed medical history will identify the vaccinations and treatment your pet received here at the Wood County Humane Society.