Animal behaviorists can help keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes

Living circumstances and finances can often lead to owner surrenders of animals. But behavior issues are also a big reason for pet surrenders.

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BALTIMORE —

Animal experts say behaviorists can help keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes.

Living circumstances and finances can often lead to owner surrenders of animals. But Natalie Stevens, the behavior manager at the Maryland SPCA, said behavior issues are also a big reason for surrenders, and those issues can run the gamut.

“(They can be) jumpy, mouthy, inappropriate playing. Maybe they are puppies that aren’t learning to play properly or are adults, at this point, and just never learned to play properly,” Stevens told Hearst sister station WBAL. “Other things we can get are resource guarding, and that can get scary when we see overt behaviors. We can see it with toys, with food.”

Most shelters employ behaviorists who work with dogs in the shelter on any issues they may identify before adoption.

The shelters also have online resources that include videos and guides on a variety of topics to help pet parents who may be struggling, all in an effort to avoid owner surrenders with a goal of keeping pets with their families.

“We want to make sure we have the appropriate information for you because there’s so much information out there for you these days. It’s hard to tell, if you’re not in the behavioral world, what’s the right thing and what’s the wrong thing,” Stevens said.

And, dogs aren’t the only animals that get surrendered for behavior issues. Cats do, as well, and the most common issue can be not using the litter box properly.

“Stress can be the most common reason for litter box issues, behaviorally, and there’s probably something happening or changing in the environment that’s causing it. So, we try to walk through all the scenarios to get all the information, and we try to figure out what is causing this,” Stevens said.

“If you’re experiencing issues, please reach out to us. We are always here to help.”

Stevens said pet parents need to remember that an animal may not have come into the shelter with a behavioral issue but may leave with one due to the stress of the environment.

“If you’re experiencing issues, please reach out to us. We are always here to help,” Stevens said.