Life with pets
Prepare the house for a new pet
Preparing for a new pet goes more smoothly when you work through hazards and supplies room by room before the animal arrives. Your shelter, rescue or breeder can tell you what applies to the species and age you're bringing home.
A text to start with
Help me make a home-prep checklist for a ten-week-old guinea pig. I live in a two-bedroom apartment. I want to cover what to remove or secure in the room where she'll live, what bedding and cage setup she needs, plants or foods that are hazardous to guinea pigs, what to have ready for the first night, and questions I should ask the rescue before pickup.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check in the list
Compare the hazard list with guidance from your shelter or a veterinarian, since an assistant's list may be incomplete. Toxic plant and food lists differ by species, so confirm them with your vet or a species-specific organization. Deal with electrical cords, medications and small objects before the pet comes home. For medical questions tied to the animal's age or breed, ask your vet.
Before pickup day
Walk through each room with the checklist and move or secure anything it flags. Set up the enclosure a day early so you aren't assembling it while looking after a nervous new animal. Bring your questions to the rescue and ask about this particular animal's history and habits.