Congratulations! You found your perfect match! When you're caught up in the excitement of selecting and adopting the animal of your dreams, it can be easy to forget about the responsibility, commitment and hard work that awaits. A companion animal is a life-long responsibility and will require some adjustments in your household and regular routine. Adoptions that are well planned have the highest success rates. The better prepared you are, the smoother the transition will be.

Before you bring your new companion animal home, it is strongly recommended to prepare your home ahead of time. Here are some preparedness tips to consider:

• Set up a designated eating area with food & water bowls

• Purchase an adequate supply of dog or cat food (be sure to find out if your animal requires a special diet or medication!)

• Set up a litter box in a quiet, accessible place (for cats)

• Set up a designated sleeping area with comfortable bedding

• Acquire proper identification for your animal (license, identification tags, microchip)

• Purchase a collar and leash

• Purchase a transport carrier (for cats)

• "Puppy or kitten proof" your home by removing all enticing, destructible objects from areas where the puppy (or kitten) will be spending time

• Purchase toys and treats to help make a new animal feel right at home!

Information provided by PetShelter Network