Helping a pet settle into home life after an extended stay

The best moments at Pet Refuge are when we get to reunite a pet with their family.

Pets can spend weeks or months in our care while their families escape family violence and work towards long-term safety. When reunion day arrives, they're going back to the people they know and love — but "home" might look a little different.

For some families, reaching safety means starting again somewhere new. Their pet may be returning to familiar people while also encountering a completely new house, neighbourhood, smells, sounds and routine.

Even when they're returning somewhere familiar, adjusting after an extended stay away can take time.

We've brought together the experience of our expert Shelter Team and animal behaviourist Mark Vette to share three things that can help a pet settle into home life and build trust — whether they're reuniting with their family after time apart or being welcomed into a new home as a rescue pet.

PREPARING FOR HOME STARTS WHILE THEY'RE WITH US

At Pet Refuge, we don't wait until reunion day to think about a pet's transition home.

Throughout their stay, our Shelter Team establishes consistent routines around feeding, exercise, enrichment, toileting and rest, while getting to know each pet's personality, behaviours, preferences and what helps them feel comfortable.

Depending on the individual pet, their care can include positive reinforcement, enrichment and training to maintain or build confidence and reinforce useful everyday behaviours.

As reunion approaches, we can also work on things that may make their transition easier. If they have a long journey home ahead, for example, this could include helping them become more comfortable with their crate, carrier or vehicle.

Each pet also leaves with a take-home pack that can include favourite toys and familiar belongings from their stay, along with food they've become accustomed to eating. We can share what we've learnt about their routines and preferences with their family, helping provide some consistency as they settle back into life together.

So, what can families do from there?

1. GIVE THEM TIME AND SPACE

The first thing our Shelter Team and Mark recommend is letting your pet set the pace.

Some dogs and cats may feel at ease within hours or days; others may take weeks. Rather than forcing interaction or affection, sit nearby, offer treats and allow them to approach in their own time.

Provide somewhere quiet and safe where they can retreat when they need space, such as a cosy covered crate, quiet room or high perch for a cat.

For cats moving into a new home, Mark recommends keeping them indoors for a period, usually confined to one room initially. Cats have a strong homing instinct and may bolt if allowed outside too soon.

It's also worth keeping the household calm for the first few days. Lots of visitors, noise and new experiences can be overwhelming when a pet is already processing a significant change.

It's the same approach our Shelter Team takes when pets first arrive at Pet Refuge: give them somewhere comfortable to retreat, keep things calm and allow them to explore and interact at their own pace.

2. BUILD PREDICTABILITY

When so much around a pet is changing, our Shelter Team and Mark agree that keeping some things familiar can help them settle.

At Pet Refuge, routine is an important part of helping pets adjust to life in our care. We establish consistency around things like feeding, exercise, enrichment, toileting and rest, which families can continue initially when their pet returns home.

Familiar belongings can help too. Pet Refuge pets can take favourite toys and belongings from their stay home with them, while Mark recommends keeping familiar bedding and toys around and avoiding washing them straight away. Recognisable smells can provide some comfort when other things around a pet are unfamiliar.

Keeping meals, toileting, walks, play and bedtime relatively predictable can help your pet begin to understand what their new day looks like.

3. BUILD YOUR BOND

Whether you're reuniting with a much-loved pet after time apart or welcoming a rescue pet into your family, building trust through positive experiences is important.

Our Shelter Team uses positive reinforcement, treats, play and gentle interactions while pets are in our care, allowing each pet to engage at their own pace.

At home, Mark recommends continuing to prioritise that bond during the first couple of weeks. Spend time together, offer treats, play, take dogs for walks and generously reward calm, positive behaviour. Positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training can also help.

The key is patience and kindness. Give your pet time to learn that their environment and the people around them are safe.

And don't expect perfection.

Big transitions can sometimes lead to setbacks, including things like house-training regression. Try not to inadvertently reward unwanted behaviours, but give your pet time to adjust and continue reinforcing the behaviours you want to see.

If you're concerned about your pet's behaviour or they're struggling to settle, seek advice from your veterinarian or a qualified behaviour professional early.

EVERY PET SETTLES DIFFERENTLY

The 3-3-3 rule can be a useful general guide: the first three days to decompress, the first three weeks to begin learning routines and showing more personality, and the first three months to continue building trust and feeling at home.

But it isn't a timetable.

Every pet is different. Instead of watching the calendar, watch your pet.

Relaxed body language, playfulness, engaging with enrichment and training, settling into regular eating and toileting routines and choosing to spend time with family can all be signs they're becoming more comfortable.

Feeling secure can also mean being comfortable independently — enjoying your company without needing to follow you every time you move around the house.

For Pet Refuge pets, reunion day is the moment we've been working towards from the day they arrive.

By preparing them while they're with us, sharing what we've learnt with their family and sending some familiarity home with them, we can help make that transition a little easier. From there, time, consistency and positive experiences can help them settle back into life with the family they've been waiting for.

Mark Vette is a qualified animal behaviourist and the trainer behind www.dogzen.com