As students across the country return to classrooms and routines, pets are also facing a change in their daily lives. After spending the summer with their families at home, many dogs and cats now must adjust to longer periods alone while humans head off to work or school.

To help pets and their families navigate this transition, Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in shelters, is offering guidance for easing the shift to a busier schedule.

Adjusting to a back-to-school routine can be as challenging for pets as it is for their owners. Amanda Farah, National Training and Behavior Coordinator at Best Friends, said families can reduce stress by practicing “mock departures.” Pet owners are encouraged to pick up bac

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