Save-A-Pet provides 4EVER Home Preparation by helping our residents complete the rescue cycle. The Save-A-Pet rescue cycle is medical, rehabilitative, and educational in nature. It includes the processes, materials and costs of intake, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, prescription food, preventative medications, chronic illness medications (i.e., for FIV positive cats, heart murmurs, allergies, IBD, arthritis, etc.), and the emotional healing of the residents.

The rescue cycle also includes the processes and costs for educating new adopters in proper pet care and in solving common behavioral problems. It also provides education regarding the practices of puppy mills and unqualified breeders.

The complex medical and rehabilitative steps necessary to heal rescued animals and prepare them for adoption include intake treatment—such as vaccinations, micro-chipping, and spay/neuter surgeries. Many animals require costly prescription food to address stress-induced and/or disease-induced gastrointestinal ailments. Many animals require a full course of heartworm treatment. Some animals require specialty exams and services as well.

From a rehabilitation stand point, the 4EVER Home Preparation may include/is not limited to animal socialization with volunteers and staff, animal play time with other residents, animal massage, animal Reiki, and basic behavioral training. Many rescued animals experienced fear and stress before coming to Save-A-Pet and continue to experience fear and stress upon intake. The emotional rehabilitation allows them to overcome their fear and stress, and effectively present their true personalities in adoption interactions.

4EVER Home Preparation also impacts the surrounding communities by reducing the number of homeless/stray animals and the associated costs and health risks that stray animals present to the public; by offering education regarding no-kill practices, puppy mill practices, the ethical treatment of animals, and responsible pet ownership; by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with schools, local businesses, etc.; and by facilitating life-altering and life-improving connections between animals and pet owners.

Adopter families experiencing financial hardships often come back to Save-A-Pet for help with food and medical costs. Providing these services and materials at no charge helps ensure 4EVER home relationships remain intact.