How To Prepare For Adopting A Pet

Adopting a new pet is very rewarding and a really exciting time. For both you and your new family member. Sharing your home will bring a lot of happiness to these unwanted pets. 

When you get a new cat or dog there is so much to consider. To make the journey a little easier being prepared should help make the ride a little smoother. 

Both dogs and cats end up in animal shelters for a variety of reasons. Quite often it has nothing to do with their behavior. In fact, it’s usually due to their current family situation altering. Whether that is because of a new job, divorce, loss of an owner, a new baby, or moving house. 

Adopting A Dog 

Preparation is key, especially when it comes to rehoming an animal. Being moved from one place to another can be stressful. Not knowing when you can settle and if you will be loved. This applies to dogs that may not have had the best start to their lives. But it can also be unsettling for dogs that may have come from a loving environment. They will have to adapt to not getting as much attention as they maybe got when in their first home.

There are several rescue centers dotted around the country so finding one close to you shouldn’t be an issue. These shelters have a variety of different breeds and different ages from older dogs to puppies. If you have children then it is important to research the different family-friendly breeds. Then check what dogs are available for either adoption or fostering. 

Rescue centers like Dog’s Trust or Battersea are committed to finding the perfect match. They will ask you questions about the environment you hope to raise your new family member. As well as the type of lifestyle you live. This is to enable an easy transition with as little stress as possible. 

Pre-Arrival 

When you have been given the green light and have been matched with the right dog. Then you can begin to orgainse yourself and your home ahead of your four-legged friend.

Although most animal rescue shelters vaccinate, microchip, and neuter dogs that come into their care, it is worthwhile registering your rescue dog with your local veterinary practice in case you run into any issues within the first few weeks or the shelter you have rescued from hasn’t completed their vaccinations, etc, especially if you are taking home a puppy. It is also important for you and your dog to build a trusting relationship with their vet. 

If you are unsure of where to find your local practice then why not go to Vet Help Direct where you can type in your postcode which will bring up all the veterinary practices that are local to your area. 

Pet insurance is just as important as organising their new vet. Because this will save you loads of stress and money in the future. 

Where will they be sleeping?

Consider where your new family member will be sleeping and create a safe and comfortable environment. If used correctly a doggie crate can be an excellent place for your dog to sleep. Also hideout if they need to escape for some peace.

It is really important to not use a crate as a form of punishment. Where they are sent for being bold because this is cruel and that space will never feel safe for them. 

Fill their new space with blankets and toys. For those that opt for a crate. It is always good to have another bed somewhere else in the home giving your dog the opportunity to bond with you in comfort outside of their crate. 

Other things that should be included on the shopping list are. Dog tags with your dog’s name and your contact details. Food and water bowl to keep them hydrated and fed. Ask the shelter what food your dog has been eating and try to continue feeding it the same. This will make the transition easier and if you decide you want to start them on a new brand. Begin to gradually wean them off it.

Do you need to purchase a lead, collar, or harness?

You will want to take your dog for walks so a lead, collar, and harness are a must. To keep up with their dental hygiene invest in some dog-friendly toothpaste such as Vet’s Best dental gel or Arm and Hammer dental kit. 

Don’t forget to pet-proof your home, remove any exposed wires or valuables that your new dog may want to get their teeth into. To avoid house furniture being destroyed there are sprays available on the petplace website that should deter your new friend from chewing. 

If you and your household have the opportunity to meet your rescue dog ahead of their arrival then it really is a good idea to do so and you could always leave something with your scent on it so your new pet will be familiar with it on moving day. 

Your New Life With Your Rescue Dog

Your new dog may be nervous especially if they have never been in a car, making sure this journey is comfortable and relaxing is the most important start to their new life with you. Make sure your dog feels safe around its new human. 

There are several options available for transporting your new dog in the car. 

Kurgo Wander Hammock – This is an easy-to-install hammock that is suited to all-size dogs. Keep your dog safe and secure whilst giving them room to move around and look out the window with no fear of them being able to get into the front of the car. Using a soothing tone don’t forget to reassure them along the way. 

Kurgo Heather Booster Seat – Kurgo also has this brilliant booster seat for dogs. This is suitable for both puppies and small dogs and is a great way for them to travel to their forever home. 

Henry Wag Dog Travel Harness – This harness is a great way to secure your dog safely in the car, allowing you to sit beside it on the journey home. If this is something you are considering then ordering one to their rescue center so they can get used to it could be one less new thing for them to worry about on moving day. 

As mentioned earlier, a crate can be a brilliant idea to keep your pet safe, and secure and if they are anxious it might give them a place to hide. 

Other items to take with you for the journey home are dog treats, a water bottle or bowl, a favorite toy, and a blanket. 

First Day And Forever

As soon as you get your new dog home. Why not take it to where you hope to be its new toilet area. Spend some time with your dog in this area. So that it can sniff around and hopefully begin to feel safe. 

Once inside your new pet may feel overwhelmed. Keep it in one area of the house, to begin with and over time introduce it to other areas of the house. 

It is recommended not to disturb your new dog when it is in its safe space. Especially after such a long day. Allow your rescue dog to come out on its own terms. Being patient is key when bringing a new dog into the home, whether they are a puppy or older dog, from a breeder or a rescue shelter. The fear of the unknown affects them all in their own individual ways. 

Quite often rescue centers are great at keeping in touch when you rehome one of their rescue dogs. If you are having difficulties settling with your new family member don’t hesitate to reach out because they are there to help and the priority is that your dog feels comfortable. Shelters also follow up with a visit if possible to make sure everyone has settled. 

Time to bond

Why not create a routine for you and your rescue dog. This will be great for bonding but also create a little structure to their day. This is especially important for rescue dogs that might be concerned about when they may get their next meal, having a set time should reassure them. 

If there are other members of the household who are dying to meet the latest edition, remember to take things slowly because it might be too much too soon for a rescue dog. Allow it to adjust to its new surroundings and then eventually invite new faces into its space. 

The same applies to any other family pets, introduce them slowly, always letting your rescue dog have an exit strategy in case it gets panicked. 

Adopting A Cat

Like a dog, adopting a cat comes with many responsibilities. Excellent preparation can make this process a lot less stressful. Taking into consideration your lifestyle and environment. Will a rescue cat or kitten feel safe, and comfortable and receive the right amount of attention, love, and patience from you and your household? 

Finding the right match for you and your home is important and there are many rescue centers out there that rehome cats such as Cats Protection and the RSPCA who guide you through the process of adoption step by step. 

To begin with, most recuse centers will ask you to fill out an application form. You may have already fallen in love with one of their rescue cats or perhaps you might want to go and visit once your application has been approved but beware the chances of falling in love with more than one of these cute creatures is inevitable. 

Pre-Arrival 

As soon as you have decided on a cat and the paperwork is out of the way you may want to start preparing your home for its new family member. 

The first thing is first, has your cat been neutered and vaccinated? Most animal rescue centers will have gone through your cat’s medical history with you and quite often they leave the shelters fully vaccinated and neutered with any other treatments such as worming. If you are unsure it is worth asking before you bring your new edition home, especially if you have other pets in the home. 

When you have all of their medical details it is time to find your cat’s future veterinary practice and register your cat. Especially if it needs any further medical attention. Unlike a lot of dogs, cats don’t enjoy being moved around. Building a good relationship with your local vet would be an advantage for both you and your new rescue cat. Again Vet Help Direct is great if you are unsure of practices in your area. 

Help them settle in

Your rescue cat might be a little nervous or shy moving into a new environment. Setting up an area in the house where they will spend most of their time in the first few days/ weeks is important. Creating a comfortable and safe space where they have easy access to water and food bowls. A litter tray is also a must but avoid placing this near their food, water, and where they intend to sleep. 

Other things to consider ahead of your cat’s arrival are toys or a cat scratcher to keep them entertained. They might have a favourite you can take from the shelter or one that you can replace. If you live nearby the shelter then leaving a toy or blanket from your home with your future cat will allow it to get used to your scent and should help ease it into its new environment. 

Cats love nothing more than getting their claws into everything, especially kittens. We advise you to move anything of value that small claws may destroy. There are a variety of options online and in-store to deter cats from scratching furniture such as Milly & Milo Scratch No More spray. Move any candles or wires that can be tempting for a curious cat.

A cat carrier is a must when transporting your new pet home. Make sure to make the inside comfy so the journey is less stressful with a light blanket on hand to cover the carrier if your cat becomes distressed. 

Pheromone sprays, diffusers, and plug-ins are a brilliant calming method for distressed cats, these should be used ahead of your cat’s arrival, the spray may also be used inside their cat carrier helping to relax them on their journey to their forever home. 

Your New Life With Your Rescue Cat

As soon as you arrive home with your new cat, open the cat carrier in the area you have prepared.

Your cat or kitten may be anxious, don’t force it to leave the carrier. Give it some time, allowing it to leave when it feels like the time is right. It might be worth leaving your cat for an hour so it can build up the courage to leave the cat carrier and explore its new area with no watching eyes. However, the rule for leaving your cat will differ if you have rescued a kitten. Especially if they are used to the warmth and comfort of their siblings and mother. 

If you don’t hear any movement then go into your cat. Sit down in the same room, and begin to speak softly, calling its name reassuring it. Allowing your cat the time to do this at its own pace is key to avoiding further trauma. Especially if it has had a difficult past. 

Cats and kittens who are anxious will avoid eating or drinking. If your new family member ticks this box then edge their food closer to its place of hiding and leave the room. 

Making those first introductions

Other members of your household may be very excited that you have welcomed a rescue cat or kitten into your home.

Make sure everyone is aware of the difficulties and stress your new family member has been through and moving at your cat’s pace is crucial. Avoid picking up this new edition. Explain the reasons for this, and when/ if your cat allows it be sure to be gentle. 

Other household members might include pets. Introducing your cat to any other pets in your house may be a slow process. Before you let them meet, switch some items that will carry each of their scents. The next stage is to allow them to see each other, if possible through a glass door or something similar. If you are making progress gradually allow your cat to meet the other member. Just remember to supervise at all times. Make sure your rescue cat has an easily accessible escape route in case it feels threatened or scared. If successful then increase the time of these meetups. 

It is often found introducing your cat to a dog is a lot easier than another cat. If you are having difficulties and your pets won’t settle. Then it is worth reaching out to either the rescue center where your cat came from or a local vet. 

When you feel like your cat or kitten’s confidence is growing. Then gradually introduce them to other rooms in their new home. 

Is it time to venture outside?

If after about four weeks your cat is up to date with its vaccinations and has been neutered. It might be time to open the doors to the outside world. Some cats may not want to go outside and this is okay. But if you have a cat that has been dying to get out and explore more new territory. Then it is suggested to do this when your cat is hungry and hasn’t been fed. This will enable you to bribe them with food if they go too far or you are having difficulties getting them back inside. If you have adopted a rescue kitten, leaving them to explore the outside area alone is not advised.

If you are looking for more advice on how to take care of your new rescue cat or dog. Why not call into one of our stores. Where you will be welcomed by our team who are full of advice. We also have podcasts and blogs on our pet place website. Where we speak and learn from the experts of the pet world.