San Diego Humane Society's Redesigned Dog Rooms Are Downright Brilliant
If dog owners ran the whole world, things would look a little different. Most importantly, shelter pets would all have loving homes where they could become their best selves, and the few shelters that were still needed would have state-of-the-art facilities. We may not be able to make that vision come true immediately, but animal advocates like the folks at the San Diego Humane Society are finding ways to get closer and closer.
While many shelters like this one in Southern California take in more animals than they find homes for, they are making sure that animals have the easiest time at the shelter as they can. One way they do this is by using their newly redesigned dog rooms, leaving their residents more relaxed than ever before. They showed off these special new rooms in a February 26 TikTok video, and people can't get enough!
OMG! I wasn't sure how shelter dogs' enclosures could make that much of a difference, but now it makes perfect sense. With the angled doors and soundproof walls, each dog gets to live in a world of their own. They won't have to stress themselves out with everyone's constant dog barking, and reactive dogs will be able to avoid their triggers (other dogs).
Related: Dog Claims His Own Room After Checking Into Airbnb and We Can't Stop Laughing
I know that commenter @truecrimecam isn't the only one who wishes "every animal shelter could look like this." There are thousands of comments praising this humane society's setup, though nothing is a higher compliment than watching stressed-out shelter dogs finally sleep soundly. I think everyone would breathe a sigh of relief!
Shelter Dogs Need Extra Time to Adjust
High-quality shelter facilities like this help bring more awareness to rescue dogs' needs, including the need for time to decompress. Think about it--after a dog arrives at the shelter, they've already gone through so much, so it must be maddening to be left in a loud, busy place where there's little chance for peace or restful sleep.
When a shelter dog gets adopted, it's not unusual for them to sleep for days. Their bodies may finally allow themselves to rest when they feel safe and secure, but this can mean they don't feel ready to interact or explore for several days. Many pet experts recommend that dog owners learn about the 3-3-3 rule, which explains how long it can take for rescue dogs to meet certain milestones. It's totally normal for adopted pets to do nothing but rest for three days, while it can take up to three weeks for them to learn daily routines and basic expectations.
Every rescue pet is on their own schedule, though setting them up for success in shelters like the San Diego Humane Society always helps!
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.
Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
