RESOURCES

Low Cost Spay and Neuter

If you need help with spay or neuter surgery, there are local vouchers and clinics that can reduce the cost.

Pound Puppy Rescue

If you need help with a:
Chihuahua, Pitbull,

Husky, or Malamute

Contact Pound Puppy Rescue.

They offer $80 off spay or neuter surgeries for these breeds.

Phone:

(530) 272-1716

Sammie’s Friends Vouchers

First, make an appointment at one of the spay/neuter clinics or Pine Creek Veterinarian. Then call Sammie’s Friends. *Only available for one animal per household, per year.

Female dog: $80 off
Male dog: $60 off
Female cat: $50 off
Male cat: $40 off

Phone: (530) 471-5041

Spay and Neuter Clinics

Animal Spay and Neuter

3524 KOA Way
Auburn, CA 95602

(530) 889-8800

AnimalSave

520 East Main Street

Grass Valley, CA 95945

(530) 477-1706

Wayward Journey is eager to provide accessible spay and neuter services in Nevada County. Wayward Journey partners with local veterinarians who perform these surgeries. We ask the pet owner to pay whatever they are able towards this surgery.

If you need help with spaying or neutering your animal, email info@waywardjourney.org.

If you’d like to donate to this cause, head to our DONATION page!

Benefits of spaying and neutering:

Prevents life-threatening and costly medical conditions such as pyometra and certain reproductive infections.
Avoids the high cost and workload of raising puppies or kittens. If you want the experience, foster through a shelter instead.
Increases life expectancy by an average of 3 to 5 years.
Reduces unwanted behaviors, including marking, roaming, aggression, and dominance.
Lowers the risk of several cancers.
Helps reduce overpopulation, which saves lives and lowers shelter intake.

Local Programs, Support, & Resources

Before rehoming, try these resources:

If you have tried all available resources and still cannot keep your pet, there are safer alternatives to surrendering to a shelter or abandoning an animal. Never abandon an animal: abandonment is illegal and can result in fines, and it places your pet at serious risk.

Increase your pet’s adoptability:

Spay or neuter
Microchip
Keep vaccines up to date

Start with your own social media, friends, family, and co-workers.

Online rehoming platforms (Include photos, a description of their personality, and any special needs.):

Rehome adopt-a-pet
Home2Home
Facebook groups: Nevada County Pets/Animals That Need a Loving Home, Nevada County Peeps
Craigslist or Nextdoor
Local newspaper

Guardians can also search online for:

Breed specific rescues
Regional rescues in Northern California or Nevada County
Rescues may offer courtesy posts, foster based rehoming, or advice on screening new homes.

Pet Food Assistance

Changes happen unexpectedly that can make providing for a pet financially challenging. There are programs available to help during times of financial hardship.

Wayward Journey Pet Pantry

Saturday from 12-2 pm

Grass Valley Shelter,

556b Freeman Lane

Veterinary Assistance

Veterinary care can be expensive, but programs exist to help pet guardians cover these costs.

List of Financial Assistance Programs

Ask your veterinarian about payment options or financial assistance resources that they are aware of.

Local Resources for Pet Behavior

Many problem behaviors can often be improved or resolved entirely.

Take the Lead Canine Coaching offers consultation for pet owners.

Socialization classes are led by Beverley Mercier-Ward, at Western Gateway Park every Tuesday and Saturday morning.

Bringing a New Dog Home

The First 3 Days Decompressing

In the first few days, your dog is decompressing. Their stress hormones are high and they may not be able to relax or show their real personality yet. This is very normal. During these first days, help your dog feel safe.

What to do:

Provide a comfy bed, fresh water, and a predictable routine
Offer enrichment toys
Allow them to come to you when they feel ready
Keep everything simple, slow, and predictable

The First 3 Weeks
Learning Your Routine

During the first 3 weeks, your dog is learning what their new life with you looks like. A calm, structured routine will help them understand what is expected of them and build trust and confidence.

What to do:

Keep a steady routine for meals, potty, walks/play time, and rest
Reward calm behavior generously
Give your dog breaks if something feels too overwhelming
Introduce new experiences a little at a time

The First 3 Months Building Your Bond

By the three-month point, many dogs begin to feel truly at home. You will see more consistency in their behavior and more of their real personality. This is also when they can form a deep bond with you.

What to do:

Continue positive reinforcement training and reinforce the behaviors you want
Give daily mental and physical enrichment
Seek support early if new behaviors feel confusing or challenging

Potty Training: What You Need to Know

Potty training takes patience, close supervision, and a consistent routine. Puppies have very limited bladder control, and even adult dogs may need time to adjust to new surroundings. Accidents are a normal part of the learning process.

Potty Training

1. Take Frequent Potty Breaks:

Go out every 2 hours at first. Also go out after meals, naps, play sessions, first thing in the morning, and right before bed.

2. Reward Immediately:

The moment your dog goes in the right place, offer praise and a treat. Quick rewards help your dog understand what you want.

3. Supervise Closely:

Watch for signs such as sniffing, circling, or suddenly wandering off. These are cues to go outside right away.

4. Never Punish Accidents:

Do not scold, yell, or rub your dog’s nose in it. Punishment causes fear and slows progress. Quietly clean up and adjust supervision or routine.

5. Choose a Consistent Potty Spot:

Take your dog to the same area each time. Familiar scents help reinforce the behavior you want.

If you need to use pee pads:

Start in a small, dog proofed room where the pads are easy to reach.
Once your dog is reliably using the pads, slowly reduce the pad area.
Move the pads gradually toward the door.
When your dog is ready, take the pad outside to transition fully outdoors.

How Long Can Dogs Hold It?

Under 2 months: very limited control

3 months: about 2 to 3 hours

4 months: about 4 to 5 hours

5 months: about 5 to 6 hours

Use these times as a guideline, not a rule. Every dog is different.

Step by Step Plan for Introduction:

A quick guide for safe and successful introductions

Important note: Every home, cat, and dog is different. Your setup may vary based on your home’s layout, the pet’s confidence level, and how many people are in your home. If you live alone, consider asking a friend or neighbor to assist with early sessions. Adjust the timeline as needed so both animals feel safe and calm.

Introducing a New Dog to a Resident Dog

Bringing a new dog home is exciting, but both dogs will need time and structure to adjust. Move slowly, watch body language, and always prioritize safety. If you live alone, consider asking a friend or neighbor to help with early steps.

1. Complete Separation (Days 1 to 3)

• Set the new dog up in their own room with crate, food, water, and a potty area.
• Keep all doors and gates closed so the dogs cannot see each other.
• Allow only sound and scent exposure.
• Keep things quiet and predictable while the new dog decompresses.
• Never leave dogs together unsupervised. Remove toys, chews, and food from shared areas.

2. Visual Introductions with Barriers (Days 4 to 7)

• Use a barrier to allow brief, low stress viewing.
• Redirect immediately if either dog stiffens, barks, lunges, or fixates.
• Reward calm behaviors such as soft eyes, relaxed posture, and looking away.
• Begin parallel walks with two handlers, starting wide apart and decreasing distance only if both dogs stay relaxed.

3. Controlled Outdoor Greetings (Days 8 to 12)

• Meet on leash in a neutral outdoor area. Keep leashes loose.
• Allow a one to three second sniff, then call them apart and reward.
• Increase distance if either dog shows tension (staring, freezing, stiff body).
• Gradually increase time together only if both dogs remain loose and friendly.

4. Managed Indoor Time (Days 13 to 21)

• Use crates or pens in shared spaces so dogs can be together with a barrier.
• Start with very short supervised indoor sessions. Keep leashes dragging for safety.
• End sessions while things are still going well.
• Remove all food, toys, and chews from shared spaces when unsupervised.

5. Ongoing Monitoring (First Three Months)

• Continue using gates and separate feeding until both dogs are consistently calm.
• Watch for subtle stress: avoidance, lip licking, guarding, tension in doorways.
• Back up to earlier steps if needed.
• Never feed dogs together.

Introduce additional dogs slowly using the same process.

If you have concerns at any point, reach out to a qualified trainer.

Introducing a New Dog to a Resident Cat

Move slowly, watch body language, and never assume past experiences will predict how a dog will act with a new cat. If you live alone, consider asking a friend to help with these steps.

1. Complete Separation (Days 1 to 3)

• Set the cat up in a secure room with litter box, food, water, bedding, and hiding spots.
• Keep the door closed or use a tall gate the dog cannot bypass.
• Allow only sound and scent exposure at first.
• Begin gentle scent swapping using blankets or towels.
• Never allow unsupervised contact.

2. Visual Introductions with Barriers (Days 4 to 7)

• Use a barrier so both can see but not reach each other.
• Allow very brief, low pressure glimpses.
• Redirect if the dog stares, stiffens, whines, or rushes the barrier.
• Reward the dog for looking away or relaxing.
• Feed meals on opposite sides of the door or gate to build positive associations.
• End sessions if the cat shows stress (hiding, tail swishing, pinned ears).

3. Controlled Introductions (Days 8 to 12)

• Use two handlers if possible: one for the dog, one to watch the cat.
• Keep the dog on a loose leash. Reward for ignoring the cat.
• Allow the cat to approach or retreat without pressure.
• Increase distance or return to barrier work if the dog fixates or stops responding.

4. Managed Indoor Time (Days 13 to 21)

• Keep the dog on leash or drag line during early shared time.
• Give the cat vertical escape routes such as cat trees, shelves, or tall furniture.
• Reward the dog for relaxing and ignoring the cat.
• Allow the cat to move freely and end sessions while things are going well.
• Keep the dog away from the litter box and cat food at all times.

5. Ongoing Monitoring (First Three Months)

• Continue supervision until the dog reliably respects the cat’s space.
• Watch for stalking, creeping, chasing, or fixation in the dog.
• Watch for hiding, avoidance, or stress in the cat.
• Be especially cautious outdoors, where prey drive may increase.
• Do not leave them alone together until you are confident in both animals.

If you have concerns at any time, reach out to a qualified trainer.

Dog bowls & food

Food
Food bowls
Water bowls

Set up your new dog’s food and water bowls in a quiet, low-distraction area where they can eat without competition or interruption. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are best because they are durable, hygienic, and easy to clean.

Start with the food your dog was previously eating to avoid stomach upset, then transition gradually if needed. Keep fresh water available at all times, and consider separating feeding areas if you have multiple pets so your new dog feels safe and relaxed during mealtime.

Leash, collar
& ID tags

Leash
Collar with identification
Dog harness

A well-fitted collar with a secure ID tag is essential, especially during the first few weeks when dogs may try to explore or even slip out of doors or gates. Keeping identification on your dog at all times greatly increases the chances of a safe return.

If your dog is pulling on the leash, we recommend utilizing a slip lead for training. These are sold at our shelter.

Do a walk around your yard and seal up any spaces or gaps that your new dog can escape through.

Dog toys & Bed

Food puzzles
Dog toys
Dog bed

Offer a variety of toys, chews, and enrichment items to help your new dog feel engaged, safe, and mentally stimulated. Puzzle feeders, interactive toys, and sturdy chew items can reduce stress and give your dog healthy outlets for energy.

Provide both soft resting areas and a designated bed or crate where your dog can retreat and decompress. Place the bed in a quiet location with good visibility so your dog can rest while still feeling connected to the household.

Bringing a New Cat Home

The First 3 Days Adjustment

Orange Kittens GV Shelter August 2020-6_edited.jpg

During the first few days, many cats hide, eat less, or keep their distance. Some may curl up in a quiet spot. Others may choose to explore their new world. Any and all of this behavior is normal.

What to do:
• Provide a single quiet room where they can retreat and feel safe.
• Keep routines simple and predictable.
• Let them approach you on their own time. Avoid picking them up or trying to force interaction.

• Wait to introduce resident animals.

The First 3 Weeks Settling In

Around the three-week mark, they learn your household, including feeding times, litter box locations, and when people are active. New behaviors may surface, as they gain confidence. This is a good time to begin gently setting boundaries.

What to do:
• Stay consistent with feeding, litter box care, and daily routines.
• Support positive behavior by rewarding what you want to encourage.
• Offer play sessions and enrichment to build trust and confidence.

The First 3 Months Feeling Like Home

By three months, most cats understand they are home. Trust is growing and the bond between you is strengthening. They are usually more affectionate, more confident, and more comfortable joining family life.

What to do:
• Continue positive reinforcement and predictable routines.
• Include daily play or interactive activities to build your relationship and provide mental stimulation.
• Make sure your cat has established veterinary care, including wellness visits and any needed follow-up.

Step by Step Plan for Introduction:

A quick guide for safe and successful introductions

Important note: Every home, cat, and dog is different. Your setup may vary based on your home’s layout, the pet’s confidence level, and how many people are in your home. If you live alone, consider asking a friend or neighbor to assist with early sessions. Adjust the timeline as needed so both animals stay safe and calm.

How to Introduce New Cats to Your Cat(s)

Bringing a new cat home is a big adjustment. Cats often see unfamiliar cats as a threat. A slow, structured introduction increases the chances of peaceful coexistence and may even lead to bonding.

Move at the pace of the cat who is most stressed. This process can take days, weeks, or months. Patience is the key to success.

Step One: Separation

Keep the new cat in a single room at first. This helps them feel safe and gives your resident cat time to adjust to the new scent.

Swap bedding to help both cats learn each other’s scent.
Provide daily play to reduce stress.

Advance only when both cats are calm. The new cat should explore comfortably, and the resident cat should act normally.

Step Two: Positive Associations

Use a baby gate or barrier so the cats can see each other without contact.

Give each cat a high-value treat only when the other cat is visible. You can also use play or gentle brushing if they enjoy it.
Increase their time in view of one another as long as they remain calm. Signs of progress include:
Eating or playing near the other cat
Ignoring each other
Gentle interactions through the barrier

If stress appears, slow down or return to the previous step.

Step Three: Supervised Time Together

Allow short, supervised sessions without the barrier.

Reward neutral or friendly behavior.
If you see stalking, chasing, or tension, interrupt with a toy to redirect.
Keep sessions brief and positive.

When both cats consistently interact without stress for several days or weeks, you can begin unsupervised time.

More resources reduce competition and help all cats feel secure. Make sure there are enough resources for every cat, including:

Litter boxes
Food and water bowls
Scratching posts
Hiding spots
Comfortable resting areas
High perches

Each cat should have their own litter box and the routine for clean up should be consistent.

With this slow introduction, you are setting your cats up for success and bonding.

How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Resident Dog

Bringing a new cat home is a big change. Some dogs get overly excited, some feel unsure, and some may have a strong chase instinct. A slow, structured introduction helps everyone feel safe and builds calm, positive associations.

Move at the pace of the pet who is most stressed. This process can take days, weeks, or months. Safety and patience are the key to success.

Step One: Separation

Keep the new cat in a single room at first, with food, water, a litter box, a bed, and hiding spots. This helps the cat decompress and prevents the dog from chasing or intense staring.

Keep the dog out of the cat room, and use a solid door at first if needed.
Swap bedding (or gently rub each pet with a separate towel) so they can learn each other’s scent.
Give the dog extra exercise and enrichment, and reward calm behavior near the cat’s door.
Let the cat explore the room confidently, eating and using the litter box normally.

Advance only when the cat is comfortable in their room and the dog can stay relaxed outside the door.

Step Two: Positive Associations Through a Barrier

Use a baby gate or barrier so they can see each other without contact. For cats, add vertical escape options. Keep the dog on leash.

Start with short viewing sessions, then end on a calm note.
Give the dog high-value treats for calm behavior and for choosing to look away from the cat.
Give the cat treats, play, or gentle affection (if they enjoy it) while the dog is visible.
Increase time and decrease distance if both remain calm.

Signs of progress include:

The dog looks at the cat, then reorients when asked
Loose, relaxed dog body language, minimal staring
The cat eats, plays, or moves normally in view of the dog

If either pet shows stress (hiding, hissing, swatting at the gate, barking, lunging, fixating), increase distance, shorten sessions, or return to Step One.

Step Three: Supervised Time Together

When barrier sessions are consistently calm, allow short, supervised sessions. Keep the dog on a leash and make sure the cat has multiple exit routes and high perches.

Keep sessions brief and positive, then end before anyone gets overwhelmed.
Reward the dog for calm choices, like ignoring the cat.
Do not allow chasing, cornering, or intense stalking. If tension rises, calmly guide the dog away and redirect with treats or a cue, then end the session.
Never force the cat to “meet” the dog. Let the cat choose distance.

When both pets can share space calmly for several days, you can begin short unsupervised time, if you are confident the dog will not chase. If you are unsure, continue supervision.

Set Up to Support Long-Term Harmony

Reduce conflict and help both pets feel secure by setting up:

A cat-only safe room or cat-only zones (using gates, door latches, or a tall perch)
Separate feeding areas, pick up bowls after meals
Plenty of high perches and hiding spots for the cat
Multiple resting areas, scratching posts, and enrichment for both pets
Ongoing rewards for calm dog behavior around the cat

Cat bowls & food

Food
Food bowls
Water bowls or fountain

Place your new cat's food and water bowls in a quiet area with minimal traffic to help them eat comfortably without feeling observed. Many cats prefer shallow bowls to prevent whisker fatigue, and stainless steel or ceramic options are easiest to keep clean.

Start your cat on the food they were previously eating to avoid stomach upset, then gradually transition if needed. Always provide fresh water and consider using both a bowl and a fountain, as some cats prefer running water.

Cat toys, bed & scratching posts

Cat bed and toys
Cat brush
Cat scratching post

Provide a variety of toys, scratching options, and cozy resting places to help your new cat feel stimulated and secure as they adjust. Scratching posts placed in common areas help your cat express natural behaviors and protect your furniture.

Create at least one quiet sleeping area with a soft bed, blanket, or partially enclosed space where your cat can retreat and relax. As they become more confident, offer additional resting spots and let your cat decide which spaces feel most comfortable.

Cat litter box

Cat litter box
Cat litter

Place the litter box in a calm, easily accessible spot, not near loud appliances or high-activity areas. Your cat should be able to reach the box without encountering other pets or obstacles, especially during the first few days.

Most cats prefer large, uncovered boxes and unscented, fine-grain clumping litter because it feels closest to natural soil or sand. Scoop at least once a day and clean the box regularly. If your cat avoids the box, try adjusting the type of litter, the depth, or the box style since cats can have strong and very individual preferences.

RESOURCES

Low Cost Spay and Neuter

Pound Puppy Rescue

Sammie’s Friends Vouchers

Spay and Neuter Clinics

Local Programs, Support, & Resources

Pet Food Assistance

Veterinary Assistance

Local Resources for Pet Behavior

Bringing a New Dog Home

The First 3 Days Decompressing

The First 3 Weeks Learning Your Routine

The First 3 Months Building Your Bond

Bringing a New Cat Home

The First 3 Days Adjustment

The First 3 Weeks Settling In

The First 3 Months Feeling Like Home

info@waywardjourney.org

P.O. Box 2116, Grass Valley, California 95945 EIN: 33-3371413

The First 3 Weeks
Learning Your Routine

P.O. Box 2116, Grass Valley, California 95945

EIN: 33-3371413