Welcoming a New Pet: The Joy, the Prep, and the Paw-sibilities!

Welcoming a new pet into a home

At this point, you have decided on the breed you want to buy or adopt.

If a previous pet died from illness, consult a veterinarian to ensure your new pet won’t be at risk from environmental contamination. For example, if a dog died from an ectoparasite infestation (e.g., ticks), the area must be assessed and treated—kennels should be disinfected, equipment sanitized, and the environment sprayed regularly with acaricides.

When adopting an adult dog, ask for its vaccination and medical history. This will help determine if more vaccines are needed, if the pet has allergies, or if it has pre-exposure to any diseases. Request the pet’s handbook (or "pet book") to ensure a smooth transition to the new home.

If you’re adopting a puppy for the first time, consult your veterinarian for a checklist of tools (kennel, collar, feeders, toys, shampoo, etc.) and the routine treatment schedule like deworming and vaccinations—along with their importance.

Before introducing the pet into its new home, a visit to the veterinary clinic is necessary. A file is opened (unless you already have one), and the following are recorded: owner’s name/address, pet name, species, breed, weight, examination notes, fecal tests, and external parasite checks. A pet book is issued (or updated if one already exists).

A pet book is a legal document containing details like the pet's name, breed, date of birth, sex, vaccination history, feeding regimen, medical records, and breeder/source information. It must be brought along to all veterinary visits.

Once your environment is safe and your new companion is healthy, congratulations! You now have a new friend and family member. Welcome home.

Conclusion

Before introducing a pet into a new environment, ensure all necessary equipment for its care is available. A health check by a veterinarian is crucial, and a pet book should be issued or updated for future reference.


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