The day has finally arrived to bring your new pet home! Whether the day is tomorrow or just around the corner, there are some preparations that need to be made in advance. If your new pet is either a dog or a cat, be sure to call a local veterinarian and schedule your pet's first wellness check. You will want to schedule this first visit within a week of your new pet coming home to ensure that the pet is healthy.
After scheduling the appointment with the vet, it's time to pet proof your home. While fish, reptiles and birds obviously do not require any pet proofing, dogs and cats will. Puppies, in particular, will require that you spend a good deal of time preparing. It is important to remove any items from the puppies reach
that it can chew, such as electric cords and knick knacks. Puppies have a tendency to chew on anything they can put their teeth on! It is also important to cover the furniture that you may want to protect.
Puppies, or course, have accidents. In order to prevent heartache and lost time cleaning, it is a good idea to cover furniture with something that can easily be removed and cleaned. You may want to consider crate training the puppy. This is an effective solution that will protect both your belongings and your new pet.
If bringing home a cat, take the same precautions as above, with the exception of the crate training, of course! Find a quite place for the cat's litter box and set up the box in this area, that way the box will be ready for the cat the minute he or she enters your home.
If concerned about clawing at furniture, protect the corners of the furniture with strips of cardboard. It may also help to have a scratching post on hand. Once the home is pet proofed, you will want to ensure that you have the necessary equipment to transfer the pet to your home. For a dog, be sure to have both a collar and leash. It is also a good idea to get a small crate to transport the new dog or puppy in for the car ride home. For a cat, be sure to have a cat carrier. These are relatively 
inexpensive and are available through just about any pet retailer.
Once the pet has gotten home, be sure to show him or her around. Show a cat where the litter box is and show a dog where his crate or bed is. Have food available upon your pet’s arrival, as the pet may have had a long day and may not have eaten in hours. Most importantly, be understanding. Your new pet has just moved into a new home and is full of nerves and excitement. Your understanding of this will make the transition much smoother for both you and your new pet.
