Help other pets like Kaia get the care they deserve

In 2018, Kaia arrived at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, and it didn’t take long before she found a loving home. However, when a new baby joined the family, Kaia struggled to adjust. Having a young child in the house proved stressful for Kaia. She became withdrawn, and her reactivity grew as her stress did.

Her loving owners reached out to Homeward Pet. For five years, Homeward Pet Adoption Support provided behavior training, guidance, and support to try to help her thrive with her growing family.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, and although her family loved her deeply, they ultimately made the difficult decision to return her to Homeward Pet. They wanted the best for this sweet girl and hoped Kaia could find a quieter, more predictable home, better suited to her sensitive needs.

Upon Kaia’s return to the shelter, our team worked patiently to match her with a foster home that could gift her with an environment to help her decompress from years of stress. We introduced her to her potential foster family multiple times to ensure a smooth transition.

Unfortunately, the first night in her foster home, Kaia suffered what can only be described as a panic attack. She was so terrified of her new surroundings she tried to escape by throwing herself at walls and out of windows. At midnight, our team received a call from her foster family, who rushed to bring her safely back to the shelter.

After allowing time to settle back into life in the shelter, Kaia underwent a sedated physical exam and extensive testing. The results revealed she was hypothyroid – a condition that can heighten anxiety. With new medication and a treatment plan in place, Kaia miraculously began to seem less stressed.

To ensure she could feel safe and happy in a home again, our team went the extra mile. After a few months of care in the shelter, staff members were able to secure an AirBNB for an overnight to see how Kaia would do in a home environment.

Kaia had a blast – she curled up on the couch with staff, cozied in, and took a peaceful nap. In fact, she felt so at home, she even stole a piece of pizza when she woke from her nap!

Because of your incredible generosity, Homeward Pet was able to provide Kaia with the specialized veterinary and behavioral support she desperately needed to treat and ease her anxiety. Today, Kaia is ready to find her forever family.

Your GiveBIG gift isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline for pets like Kaia and so many others still waiting for a second chance.

Take advantage of our match pool and DOUBLE your gift, today! Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Kaia the care they deserve.

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