This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Food, Shelter, & Love Program, but Horseshoes & Hand Grenades only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

 

I’m an animal lover. My husband is an animal lover. My kids are animal lovers and so are my in-laws who live next door. Between the two houses and seven acres we have dozens of horses, eight dogs, two “house” cats, a few barn cats, a bearded dragon, and  a beta. That’s a lot of animals! Out of those, five of the dogs, and the two “house” cats belong to my household. Some might call having that many dogs and cats living together crazy – I call it family.

 

You know what else? Most of those animals are rescues that we adopted from the local animal shelter or rescue groups in the area. Some as puppy’s some as adult dogs, and the cats were adult cats as well. They all had to be integrated with the rest of the herd without us really knowing their background. You’d never know that they didn’t all grow up together so for you non-believers out there, it can be done!

 

 

Many people consider cats but aren’t entirely sure how to make the transition from just dogs to dogs and cats. Everybody thinks the two just don’t get along, but that’s not the case at all. Our most recent adoption was Cleo, a five year old Maine Coon. She’s a beauty but she was also the most difficult to integrate as she had come from a home where she was the only fur-child. She wasn’t a fan of the dogs at first, but after a little time, and after trying some of these integration tips, you would never know it now! Dogs and Cats can live together in harmony, if the right introductions are made so don’t let that old myth keep you from adopting that special kitty!

 

 

You know what else helps? Making sure you’re taking care of your new family members nutritional needs. Stressful events can cause occasional digestive disorder or even affect their skin & coat and what’s more stressful than being housed at a shelter for days or weeks and then plopped into a new home with five dogs that all want to meet you?! I’d pull my hair out too! Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin can help that transition by providing proper nutrion for that stressful situation. In fact, That’s why I love Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love Program®. In 2013, Hill’s expanded its Food, Shelter & Love® program – through which it provides Science Diet® brand food to more than 800 shelters nationwide – to create the Disaster Relief Network. Helping these amazing animals stay healthy until their forever home finds them is a mission this girl can definitely get behind!

 

 

In addition to proper nutrition, grooming, exercise, and regular vet care, all your new furry friend needs is love and you’ll have an amazing companion for years to come (and quite possibly a bestie for your canine friends too)! To find out more about what Hill’s is doing be sure to check out their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter. To find a Food, Shelter, & Love Shelter near you where you can volunteer or adopt a companion of your own use the Hill’s pet shelter locator.

 

Do you have pets? What kind? Have you ever adopted a rescue animal or volunteered at a shelter? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!