PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – An animal shelter can be an overstimulating and stressful place for a dog or cat as they wait to find their forever home.
Dog Anxiety Awareness Week falls during the first full week of May.
In honor of the week, we wanted to see how the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina is trying to help dogs feel calmer.
We’re told shelter dogs are especially at risk for anxiety.
“In a shelter environment, anxiety can be pretty prevalent, especially when animals spend a longer time here, as they are just looking at those same four walls every day,” said HSEC Assistant Director, Morgan May.
To help counteract stress created by living in a shelter, the Humane Society says they have many activities they do with the dogs in their care, including brain games and extra training.
However, we’re told nothing helps them quite like fostering, and HSEC has plenty of options you can take advantage of.
“We do weekday fosters, we do weekend fosters, we do long-term and short-term. Essentially, we just get them out. The more we get them out and get them socialized and kind of help with the anxiety they do have, the better they feel about the world around them,” said HSEC Director, Shelby Jolly.
The Humane Society also tells us that they see many dogs get surrendered due to the animal showing anxious behaviors. We’re told these owners should talk to a veterinarian instead of giving their furry friend up.
“We do recommend if your dog is exhibiting these behaviors, whether that’s urination in the home, drooling, stressing, hiding, just basically their behaviors are slightly different than they’ve been – definitely talk to a trainer or a veterinarian. A lot of dogs do come here and they do just need a little bit of an adjustment to really work on those behaviors,” said May.
If you’re interested in fostering one of the dogs they have available, click here.
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