When do I need to take my new pet to the veterinarian?
Establishing a relationship with a veterinarian is vital for the long-term health and well-being of your animal. Some veterinary clinics offer reduced rates or complimentary exams for new adoptions. Refer to the list of veterinary clinics here, or call your veterinarian to inquire about this service.
With a valid e-mail address, you may opt in for a 30-day gift pet insurance policy, which covers common illnesses and injuries. Please review your adoption paperwork for full details.
What should I do if my adopted animal becomes ill?
If you have concerns about your newly adopted pet’s health, please contact our shelter veterinary technician at 303-442-4030 x694. We encourage all adopters to schedule a veterinary visit after adoption. The shelter veterinary technician may encourage you to have your pet seen by our full-service veterinary clinic. If you choose to use a different veterinary clinic, the Humane Society of Boulder Valley cannot reimburse you for your veterinary bills. Legally, we may not prescribe medications if the animal has not been examined by an HSBV veterinarian after adoption.
How will I know if my newly adopted pet is sick?
It is our intention to send home healthy animals. However, your animal may show signs of illness shortly after adoption or may be an incubation phase of a disease and, therefore may not show signs of illness until two to ten days after going home. Infectious diseases seen in shelter animals range from common treatable conditions such as kennel cough in dogs and upper respiratory infections in cats, to less common but potentially life-threatening diseases such as distemper, canine parvovirus, canine influenza and feline leukemia virus. Watch for sneezing, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite or diarrhea. Some diseases are considered to be potentially transmissible to humans, such as giardia, salmonella or ringworm. Reimbursement for any condition that may be transmissible from animals to humans will not be provided. Call our Veterinary Clinic if your pet shows symptoms or if you have concerns about your animal’s health.
Are my pets at home at risk for getting sick?
It is a good idea that all pets at home be up-to-date on vaccinations two weeks prior to bringing home a new animal. We recommend that resident cats be up-to-date on Rabies and FVRCP, and resident dogs be up-to-date on Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley does not provide free treatment for other animals in your home should they become ill. Our full service veterinary clinic will be happy to provide quality care for all pets in your home. However, we cannot be responsible if your adopted pet transmits a disease to your pets at home.
What if I need to return my pet?
While there is a person for every animal, we know not every animal is for every person. If you adopt an animal from HSBV and discover you are not compatible due to behavior concerns or medical issues, you may return your pet at any time and your adoption fee will be refunded.