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Get ready for your new pet

Choose your animal and work through the preparations at your own pace. The checklist brings together key points from our care guides and the arrangements worth making before your pet arrives. Tick off completed tasks and keep a copy.

Which animal are you planning for?

Pet name or a name for your plan

Budget and backup care

Initial equipment, regular costs and a reserve for veterinary treatment are included in the budget.
A suitable veterinary practice and its emergency cover have been identified.
Daily care responsibilities are agreed, with reliable backup for holidays or illness.

Plan your budget ↗

Dog

Dog essentials: what to prepare before bringing a dog home

Ask about familiar food and the current routine before collection.
Check the fit of walking and transport equipment on your individual dog.
Choose toys of a suitable size and material for your dog's chewing strength and play style.

Read the guide ↗

Cat

Cat Essentials: Useful Equipment and How to Choose Safer Toys

Have a litter tray, food, water, a retreat, a scratcher and a carrier ready before arrival.
Check toys for secure attachments, loose parts and damaged seams.
Store wand toys and strings out of reach after playing together.

Read the guide ↗

Horse

Before choosing accommodation

Confirm daily turnout and the winter arrangements.
Check that every horse can reach food, water and resting areas.
Ask how groups and new arrivals are monitored.
Agree who provides each service, including cover and additional charges.

Read the guide: Keeping horses: building a good everyday life ↗

Questions to take on a visit

What turnout is available on a wet winter day?
Who checks each horse, and how are changes reported?
Which services cost extra, including at weekends?
How are new horses received and introduced to groups?
What arrangements cover illness or a carer’s absence?

Read the guide: Choosing the right yard for your horse ↗

A short daily overview

Check each horse: is it eating and moving as usual?
Check food, drinking water and cleanliness in the stable and turnout area.
Inspect coat, skin, legs and feet for injuries or other changes.
Record and pass on changes with dates and clear descriptions.
Agree who will complete any remaining care tasks.

Read the guide: Daily horse care: noticing what changes ↗

Before committing

Confirm suitable accommodation and realistic monthly costs.
Have an experienced person view the horse with you.
Discuss health records and an independent veterinary examination.
Check identity and the purchase agreement carefully.
Arrange transport, arrival and care cover during your absence.

Read the guide: Your first horse: preparing for the decision ↗

Rabbit

Check the home before arrival

Keep the connected living area continuously accessible.
Allow each rabbit to rest, retreat and reach food and water.
Review floors, cables, plants and furniture for hazards.
Secure outdoor accommodation above and against digging.
Make toilets, hay areas and shelters easy to inspect and clean.

Read the guide: Rabbit housing: space, exercise and companionship ↗

The daily feeding check

Fresh hay and clean drinking water are always available.
Each rabbit is checked to make sure it is eating.
Supplementary food is measured and changes to the diet are recorded.
Spoiled food and soiled hay are removed.
Markedly reduced eating or absent droppings prompt an immediate call to the vet.

Read the guide: Feeding rabbits: hay, greens and everyday habits ↗

Before the first direct meeting

Agree health preparation, neutering and timing with the vet.
Prepare two suitable separate living areas.
Choose neutral, secure and observable meeting space.
Arrange uninterrupted supervision and a safe means of separation.
Identify an experienced person to contact if difficulties arise.

Read the guide: Bonding rabbits: preparing for a shared home ↗

A manageable daily care check

Observe each rabbit eating and moving.
Check hay and fresh food and replace drinking water.
Look for changes in droppings, rear and coat.
Remove wet bedding and spoiled food.
Note changes and when they appeared; call the vet immediately for urgent warning signs.

Read the guide: Daily rabbit care: noticing small changes ↗

Guinea pig

Before your guinea pigs arrive

Confirm the group’s compatibility and sexes with an experienced person.
Measure the enclosure and sketch clear running routes.
Prepare hay, familiar fresh food and accessible water.
Find a vet who regularly treats guinea pigs.
Arrange daily care cover and a veterinary reserve.

Read the guide: Guinea pig care: making room for a small community ↗

Hamster

Useful equipment

A large secure enclosure with deep bedding.
A multi-chamber house and additional shelters.
A suitable solid-surface wheel.
A sand bath with appropriate unscented bathing sand.
Species-appropriate food, drinking water and a carrier.

Read the guide: Hamster care: a home for digging and exploring ↗

Gerbils

Before the gerbils arrive

A compatible pair with sexes confirmed by someone experienced
Enough continuous floor space, deep bedding and a secure ventilated lid
Heavy furnishings supported against digging underneath
Daily checks, holiday cover and veterinary costs planned

Read the guide: Gerbil care: room to dig, build and live together ↗

Fancy rats

Before the group comes home

Compatible companions with confirmed sexes and a clear plan to prevent breeding
A spacious enclosure with safe routes and accessible food and water
A secure exercise area that can be used every day
A veterinary contact, carrier, care budget and informed holiday carer

Read the guide: Pet rat care: a sociable group with room to explore ↗

Chinchillas

A plan that lasts beyond the first year

Compatible companions and a generously sized enclosure
A cool location with a dependable summer plan
Hay, suitable food, fresh water and a clean bathing container
Safe exercise and undisturbed daytime rest
An experienced practice, treatment funds and an informed holiday carer

Read the guide: Chinchilla care: space, companionship and cool summers ↗

Degus

Ready for the group

Compatible companions with reliably confirmed sexes
Chew-resistant housing with deep bedding and secure climbing routes
Hay, suitable low-sugar food and a working water supply
A clean sand bath and varied safe chewing materials
A veterinary contact, secure transport and daily care cover

Read the guide: Degu care: a social life of climbing, digging and exploring ↗

Ferrets

Before bringing ferrets home

Learn about the animals and their existing care.
Prepare movement space, sleeping areas and separation from prey species.
Make sure everyone understands appliance, door and furniture hazards.
Find a ferret-experienced practice and emergency contacts.
Budget for routine costs, unexpected care and holiday cover.

Read the guide: Keeping ferrets: making curiosity safe ↗

Before exercise time

Every ferret is accounted for and the necessary doors are closed.
Appliances, folding mechanisms and dangerous cavities are inaccessible.
Bags, shoes and small objects that could be swallowed are put away.
Water, toilets and sleeping places are accessible.
Afterwards, every ferret is accounted for and damaged or displaced objects are checked.

Read the guide: Creating a safe home for ferrets ↗

Prepare a clear feeding handover

Record the main food, product name and usual amount.
Arrange frequent small meals and fresh water during absences.
Agree treats and any other extras with everyone providing care.
Remove moist leftovers, clean bowls and check food-hiding places.
Record appetite, weight and changes in behaviour for each ferret.

Read the guide: Feeding ferrets: food choices, meals and supplies ↗

Budgies

Ready for the flock

Compatible companions and a generously sized aviary
A secured room available for daily flight with useful landing sites
Appropriate feeding and clean drinking stations
Undisturbed sleep and activities for chewing and searching
An avian practice, carrier and informed care cover

Read the guide: Budgie care: a home for a small flock ↗

A quick check before free flight

Windows and external doors closed or reliably protected against escape
Fans stationary, hot surfaces and open water inaccessible
Other pets outside the flight area
Landing places clear and toys checked for fresh damage
Everyone in the household knows the birds are flying

Read the guide: Setting up a bird room: safe flight and good landing places ↗

Cockatiels

Before the birds arrive

Compatible companionship and a long-term commitment
A spacious aviary with clear routes and safe daily flight outside it
A quiet sleeping area and suitable natural perches
An appropriate food plan and clean drinking and bathing facilities
An avian practice, carrier and dependable daily cover

Read the guide: Cockatiel care: companions, flight and familiar places ↗

A quick check before free flight

Windows and external doors closed or reliably protected against escape
Fans stationary, hot surfaces and open water inaccessible
Other pets outside the flight area
Landing places clear and toys checked for fresh damage
Everyone in the household knows the birds are flying

Read the guide: Setting up a bird room: safe flight and good landing places ↗

Leopard gecko

Check the enclosure and routine

Warm and cool zones have separate thermometer readings and the heater is controlled by a thermostat.
UVB, shade and the lamp replacement date are planned; nights remain dark.
Two dry hides, a humid shedding hide, safe substrate and fresh water are ready.
Feeder insects, suitable supplements and a reptile-experienced vet are identified.

Read the guide: Leopard gecko care: habitat, feeding and health ↗

Check before the animal arrives

The species is identified and its adult size, diet and active hours are understood.
The enclosure, heater, thermostat, measuring devices, UVB and hides run reliably.
Suitable food, clean water, cleaning supplies and holiday care are arranged.
A reptile-experienced vet and a safe transport container are available.

Read the guide: Keeping reptiles: habitat and daily care before arrival ↗

Bearded dragon

Check before arrival

The enclosure is at least 120 × 60 × 60 centimetres, with secure furniture and hides at both ends.
A thermostat and separate readings confirm the basking and cooler areas.
UVB at animal level, shade, lamp guard and replacement date have been planned.
Suitable greens, cared-for feeder insects, clean water and a reptile-experienced vet are ready.

Read the guide: Bearded dragon care: enclosure, lighting and food ↗

Check before the animal arrives

The species is identified and its adult size, diet and active hours are understood.
The enclosure, heater, thermostat, measuring devices, UVB and hides run reliably.
Suitable food, clean water, cleaning supplies and holiday care are arranged.
A reptile-experienced vet and a safe transport container are available.

Read the guide: Keeping reptiles: habitat and daily care before arrival ↗

Corn snake

Check before arrival

The enclosure is at least as long as the expected snake and all openings are secure.
Thermostat and two thermometer readings show appropriate warm and cool zones.
Hides, climbing branches, suitable substrate and a stable water bowl are ready.
Dead prey, a weighing routine, transport container and reptile-experienced vet are arranged.

Read the guide: Corn snake care: space, warmth and feeding ↗

Check before the animal arrives

The species is identified and its adult size, diet and active hours are understood.
The enclosure, heater, thermostat, measuring devices, UVB and hides run reliably.
Suitable food, clean water, cleaning supplies and holiday care are arranged.
A reptile-experienced vet and a safe transport container are available.

Read the guide: Keeping reptiles: habitat and daily care before arrival ↗

Hermann’s tortoise

Check before taking on a tortoise

The species and its background are clear: the animal is identified as Testudo hermanni.
A large secure outdoor enclosure provides sun, shade, dry refuge and water.
Indoor accommodation offers controlled heat, UVB, space and suitable plant food.
A tortoise-experienced vet and an individual plan for colder months are available.

Read the guide: Hermann's tortoise care: enclosure, food and winter dormancy ↗

Freshwater aquarium

Before the first fish

Adult size, group size, temperature and water needs of the intended species are known.
Tank, filter, heater where needed, thermometer and light run reliably.
Fishless cycling has shown ammonia and nitrite rise and then return to undetectable levels.
Water conditioner, test kits and a plan for partial water changes are ready.

Read the guide: Setting up a freshwater aquarium: tank, filter and water ↗

Compare before choosing a species

Scientific names and adult sizes are known.
Measured temperature, hardness and pH suit every planned species.
Group size, territorial behaviour, swimming room and feeding level have been considered.
The filter is cycled and ammonia and nitrite are undetectable; the first group will be monitored.

Read the guide: Choosing aquarium fish that can live well together ↗

Freshwater care routine

Daily: check filter flow, temperature, fish, feeding and leftovers.
Routinely and after changes: test ammonia, nitrite and other species-relevant values.
Make partial changes with dechlorinated water at a suitable temperature.
When needed, gently rinse filter media in removed tank water and check the flow.

Read the guide: Caring for an aquarium: watch the water, filter and fish ↗