WHS BASIC HEALTH ASSISTANCE FOR DOGS & CATS

We are grateful to adopters for their commitment to help an at-risk animals get a second chance. We are confident that their willingness to open their home to a shelter animal will provide many years of love and companionship.

Often we receive animals from a crisis situation, whether they were a stray or directly from a home. We may receive little or no medical history, leaving us with many questions. Has the animal received veterinary care? Has there been any preventative healthcare in the past? Our veterinary staff closely monitors the health of the animals at the shelter and provides more than $200 worth of veterinary care to all animals at WHS.

Despite our efforts to protect the health of every animal, there is the chance that they still could become ill. Depending upon their vaccination history, previous environment, and how stressful being in a shelter is for them; they may be more susceptible to an infectious disease. As with people, stress can temporarily weaken the immune system, and increase the risk for illness.

If an adopted pet should become ill, WHS provides the following options for post-adoption care:

• First, a certificate for a free veterinary exam by a local participating veterinary clinic. These clinics are showing their support for shelter animals by donating their time for your pet’s first physical exam at their clinic. Make an appointment for this exam as soon as possible after the animal arrives home. It is important to get every animal established with a veterinarian.
  
• Second, WHS provides one month of ShelterCare pet insurance, free of charge. The coverage goes into effect the second day after adoption and covers common infectious diseases for which shelter animals are at highest risk.
  
• Lastly, if needed, WHS can provide further assistance for pre-existing infectious and certain non-infectious medical problems during the first 21 days after adoption. If the condition proves itself to be chronic, we may advise an adopter seek long term care from thier veterinarian. Medical treatment will not be provided for any of the guardians other animals that may have contracted an infectious disease from the new addition. Reimbursement for any conditions that may have been transmitted from animals to humans also will not be provided.

Our behavior seminars, manner’s classes, microchip program, and adoption follow-up programs are all designed to provide an adopter with the tools he or she might need to maintain a long and happy relationship between you and your new companion.