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Every city across the United States has a pound, and typically it’s full of pets that are, for one reason or another, unwanted by their previous owners. Although the overall problem of unwanted pets is nearly monumental in scope nationwide and particularly out of control in many urban areas, one of the most encouraging things I’m seeing in recent years is the increasing concern people have for homeless pets.

Many kind folks have adopted pets from the pound or are thinking about adoption. If you’re one of them, here are some suggestions for helping your new pet make the transition to your home.

First, visit the veterinarian

For starters, be sure you know about the type of care your pet received at the pound. For example, was your pet vaccinated, wormed, or neutered/spayed? Next, have your pet examined by a veterinarian. Most shelters have contracts with veterinarians who will give this physical exam for free or for a reduced rate. The exam will provide you with some pertinent information you’ll need to know about your pet: approximate age, gender, basic personality traits, and whether any disease is evident or if other physical ailments may crop up as a serious problem later on.

When I examine the typical rescued animal, the owners and I have almost no information about its past, so I make some basic assumptions.

First, I assume that the animal has been under an appreciable amount of stress. Being uprooted from one’s previous lifestyle and dumped into a kennel with masses of other noisy animals has to be stressful. All these and other stressors decrease the animal’s immune capability, and the compromised immune system comes just as the animal is being exposed to all sorts of diseases.

Second, there’s a good chance the pet is incubating an infection that will, if given the chance, appear in a few days or so.

Third, the pet likely has a behavior problem. Most of the animals turned in to shelters are there because they have some behavior problem their owners could not or would not deal with.

From these basic assum-ptions, I like to develop a holistic approach that will help ease the pet into its new home. Herbs, flower essences, and aromatherapy are the perfect helpers for this approach. The herbs I use are directed toward enhancing the immune system and helping the pet relax and cope with change.

Most pets turned in to shelters have behavioral problems.

Easing the transition

For boosting the immune system, there is nothing better than echinacea (Echinacea spp.). Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquifolium), used as a substitute for the endangered species goldenseal, will help prevent (or treat) many infections. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is an adaptogen, helping most of the systems of the body, and it’s specific for the adrenal gland, which is activated during stressful times.