First things first. When you adopt a new pet you need to:

• Schedule a full veterinary check up within 72 hours (three days). Many area vets offer a free office visit to new adopters.   Animals that come into the shelter are given an initial exam by our veterinary staff.  Still, a full check-up is vital to rule out any serious medical ailments or to clear up any minor lingering ailments.
• Invest in supplies, from a collar and leash to bones and bowls. Think about where your pet will eat, play and sleep.  Each cat will need a litter pan. And don’t forget pet toys.  Young active animals are much less likely to chew or claw your toys, if they have toys of their own.
• Introduce your new pet to his new surroundings.  Allow him time to feel at home, but establish house rules.  It’s easier to start with some rules than to try to break bad habits later on.

Yearly Health check
To keep your best friend in the best health a yearly check-up is a must no matter if your companion is a dog, cat, bird or ferret. At these visits your vet will give your pet a physical exam, check blood work, teeth, and assess any changes your pet may be experiencing. Much like people, as pets age, their physical and nutritional needs change, and they become more susceptible to arthritis, kidney problems, cancers and other diseases. Yearly check-ups are key to catching, diagnosing, and treating pet problems.

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