Collection day is exciting for you. For your new dog or cat, it's a lot: a car journey, strange smells, new sounds and people they've never met. A little preparation before they arrive means the first week can feel like a soft landing rather than a shock.
Before they arrive
Choose one starter room
Giving a new pet the run of the whole house straight away can be overwhelming. Instead, set up one calm room with everything they need: a bed, water, food and, for cats, a litter tray placed well away from the food. Once they're relaxed there, open up the rest of the home a room at a time.
Pet-proof at their height
Get down on the floor and look around. Tuck away cables, secure the bin, move houseplants that aren't pet-safe and keep cleaning products and medicines behind closed doors. Small things like hair ties, socks and children's toys are easy to miss and easy to swallow.
Get the essentials ready
You don't need everything on day one, but a few basics make life much easier:
A secure carrier for the journey home. Our top-loading pet carrier makes it easier to lift nervous cats in and out.
A cosy, washable bed. A hooded bed like the Cosy Plush Pet Cave Bed gives shy pets somewhere to hide while they settle.
Sturdy food and water bowls, such as our stainless steel bowl in a wooden stand.
A good enzyme cleaner for the odd accident. Our pet stain and odour eliminator is worth having before you need it.
Agree a simple routine
Before your pet comes home, decide as a household who feeds them, when walks happen and where they'll sleep. A predictable routine is one of the most reassuring things you can give an animal in a new place.
Our printable Pet Care Starter Checklist & Planner walks you through the first two weeks, so nothing important gets forgotten.
The first few days
Keep it quiet
It's tempting to invite friends and family round to meet the new arrival, but a few calm days at home are kinder. Let your pet explore at their own pace and come to you when they're ready, rather than picking them up or following them around.
Bring a familiar smell
If you can, ask the rescue or breeder for a blanket or toy that smells of their old home. Placing it in the new bed can be very comforting in the first few nights.
Register with a vet
Book a health check early on and make sure the microchip details are updated to your name, address and phone number. If your pet ever slips out, that chip is how they find their way back to you.
Give it time
Some pets settle in a day; others take weeks. Both are normal. With a quiet room, a cosy bed and a steady routine, your new family member will soon realise they're home.
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