When you bring a new pet into your home or barn they will be living in a state of stress for the first week or more.
To them, its like being dropped into a foreign country without notice. A place where you don’t know anyone and no one speaks your language. A place where you don’t understand the language.
Their cortisol is going to be HIGH from this stress even when you have “saved” them. They are too stressed to know they’ve been saved.
They are going to be overwhelmed, make mistakes, and have accidents.
They are going to lack sleep, be confused, and try to protect themselves.
They are going to be living in survival mode.
If more people understood this and had the patience these animals deserve during this stressful time, more animals would stay in their homes (and not be returned). And more animals will settle in SOONER because instead of adding to their stress, your understanding and patience can minimize their stress.
Trying to be too friendly too quick, causes stress. Smothering them or introducing them to lots of new people, new animals or new places can cause stress.
Any animal moving to a new home (or barn) is going to feel ENORMOUS stress no matter how “good” the home is.
You won’t see the animal you truly have in your family for weeks. What they show you will be cortisol driven, survival driven.
Let them settle at their own pace without any expectations at all.
Allow them grace during their mistakes. Ignore the mistakes. I can promise you they are already worried. Knowing they “messed up” makes everything even harder for them.
Most importantly put yourself in their shoes, see the word from their perspective.
If you had no idea you were moving, but suddenly got dropped off in a foreign country where no one speaks your language and where you can’t understand the language. How would YOU feel?
Then imagine feeling the energy of those around you being impatient, knowing you made mistakes, but you don’t understand what those mistakes where. How would YOU feel?
Imagine trying to communicate and no one understanding. How would YOU feel?
Imagine living under expectations that you have never heard of? Not being taught with patience and kindness, just expected to know. How would YOU feel?
That’s how our animals feel.
But you can make their “move” safe and comfortable just by giving them time, patience and love. Releasing ALL expectations. And letting them show you when they are ready to open up, meet others, and go new places.
