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Before adoption day, have food and water bowls, a resting place, safe transport, and the supplies specific to your pet ready. For a cat, that means a secure carrier and litter setup; for a dog, it means an appropriate collar with identification and a leash. Ask the shelter what food the animal currently eats and what its health, behavior, and equipment needs are before you shop. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recommends getting the basics in place first; optional extras can wait.
What should you buy before adoption day?
Start with the supplies that make it possible to feed, settle, and safely transport your new pet. Then add the items that depend on whether you are adopting a dog or a cat. The right size and style can depend on an animal’s age, size, health, and past experience, so confirm those details with the adoption facility before choosing equipment.
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- Food and water bowls: Have somewhere ready to serve meals and water. Ask the shelter what the pet currently eats and how it is fed.
- Food the pet already knows, if available: Keeping its current food on hand can make a later change gradual rather than abrupt. The BC SPCA warns that suddenly switching food can cause diarrhea.
- A resting place: Prepare bedding or another appropriate place to rest. A crate or other secure enclosure may be suitable for some pets, but the choice should fit the animal and species.
- Safe transport: Plan how the pet will travel home securely. Cats need a secure carrier; dogs need suitable restraint and walking equipment.
- Safe toys: Choose toys of an appropriate size and with sturdy construction. The CVMA cautions against loose pieces that an animal could bite off and swallow.
- A pet-safe home setup: Secure loose wires and put chemicals, cleaning products, medications, and human food out of reach before the animal arrives.
The CVMA’s adoption-day essentials include food and water bowls, bedding, crates, carriers, leashes, and litter boxes. Not every item applies to every species: a litter box is a cat supply, while a leash is a dog-walking essential. Treat this as a category checklist, not a requirement to buy every type of equipment regardless of the animal.
What supplies does a cat need?
For a cat, prioritize a secure carrier, a litter box and litter, and a place to eat, drink, rest, and scratch. These basics cover the ride home and the first days in the new home.
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- Secure carrier: Have it ready for adoption-day transport and future trips. Humane Society Silicon Valley describes a carrier as mandatory for taking a cat home.
- Litter box, litter, and scoop: Set up a litter area before the cat arrives. A scoop supports daily cleanup.
- Food and water bowls: Ask which food the cat currently eats and have bowls ready for its feeding routine.
- Bedding or a resting place: Prepare a place where the cat can settle.
- Scratching equipment and safe toys: American Humane includes scratching equipment and toys among cat supplies. Choose toys that are appropriately sized and do not have loose pieces the cat could swallow.
Buy the carrier for secure transport rather than treating a box or an open container as a substitute. Confirm the cat’s size and any individual handling needs with the shelter when selecting equipment. Humane Society Silicon Valley recommends arranging a veterinary examination within one to two weeks after a new cat or kitten comes home.
What supplies does a dog need?
For a dog, get a collar with identification and a leash, along with bowls, bedding, food, and safe toys. A harness may also be appropriate, but the dog’s size, behavior, prior equipment, and handling needs should inform the choice.
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- Collar with identification and a leash: These are core walking and identification supplies. Ask the shelter about the dog’s previous equipment and any relevant behavior or handling needs before deciding on fit or style.
- Harness, if appropriate: It is an option to discuss for the individual dog, not a universal requirement. The BC SPCA advises avoiding collars that cause pain, stress, or injury.
- Food and water bowls: Have both ready and ask for the dog’s current feeding routine.
- Current food, if available: Keep some of the dog’s existing food for a gradual transition if you plan to change diets.
- Bedding and safe toys: Prepare a resting place and toys that are well constructed, appropriately sized, and free of loose pieces that could be swallowed.
Do not choose restraint equipment based only on a generic description of the breed or on appearance. The shelter may know what the dog has worn before and whether its handling or behavior calls for particular considerations. If you are unsure whether a collar or harness is suitable, ask the adoption facility or veterinarian rather than choosing a style that could cause discomfort or injury.
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What should you ask the shelter before you shop?
A short conversation can prevent mismatched purchases and help you bring home a familiar routine. Ask the adoption facility for the animal’s current food, medical and behavior information, and guidance about introductions to any resident animals.
Useful questions include:
- What food is the pet eating now, and what is its feeding routine?
- What size or type of equipment has the pet used before?
- Are there known health, handling, or behavior needs that should affect the supplies I choose?
- If I have other pets, what should I know about introducing them?
These questions are especially useful when equipment needs to fit an individual animal rather than a broad category. The BC SPCA recommends keeping a dog’s current food available during a gradual change and advises against collars that cause pain, stress, or injury. American Humane also advises people with existing pets to discuss introductions with the adoption facility.
How should you prepare the home before the pet arrives?
Set out the essentials and remove accessible household hazards before adoption day. The CVMA specifically advises securing loose wires and keeping chemicals, cleaning products, medications, and human food out of the pet’s reach.
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- Choose where the basics will go. Decide where bowls, bedding, and species-specific supplies will be placed so they are ready when the pet arrives.
- Set up the cat’s litter area or the dog’s walking gear. Make sure the cat’s litter box and litter are on hand, or the dog’s collar with identification and leash are ready.
- Check toys before offering them. Look for loose parts and poor construction, and make sure the toy is an appropriate size for the animal.
- Clear reachable hazards. Secure loose wires and move household chemicals, cleaning products, medications, and human food out of reach.
- Keep the first routine familiar where possible. Ask the shelter for the current food and feeding routine. If changing food, plan a gradual transition rather than an abrupt swap.
Preparation is not only a shopping task. Having a safe place for the animal to arrive, knowing what it currently eats, and understanding any relevant medical or behavior information all help make the first days more manageable.
What can wait until after adoption?
Luxury items and nonessential extras can wait; the priority is having the basics and species-appropriate equipment ready. The CVMA explicitly distinguishes essentials from luxuries and identifies feeding, bedding, transport, leash, and litter-box categories as important at adoption.
That does not mean every animal needs every item in those categories. A cat needs a secure carrier and litter setup, while a dog needs suitable walking equipment. A crate or enclosure should be appropriate for that pet rather than purchased automatically. Avoid buying a large collection of toys or specialized equipment before asking about the animal’s size, health, behavior, and prior experience.
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How much should you budget for a new pet?
Plan for more than the initial shopping list, but do not treat a national average as a quote for your household. An Associated Press report in 2023 cited American Pet Products Association estimates of $1,400 a year for a dog and $1,200 a year for a cat, and reported a $200–$300 estimate for a routine veterinary visit. These are historical figures, not current guaranteed costs; actual spending depends on location and the individual animal.
Use those numbers only as broad context, not as a complete adoption-day budget or a prediction of what your pet will cost. Ask a local veterinary practice for current visit pricing and discuss the pet’s specific health needs. You can keep the shopping list focused on essentials while separately planning for veterinary follow-up and ongoing care.
All price figures above are historical estimates reported in 2023; checked November 2026.
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Adoption-day readiness checklist
- Food and water bowls are ready.
- You know what food the pet currently eats, or have asked the shelter for that information.
- A resting place is prepared, with a crate or enclosure only if suitable for this animal.
- Safe transport is arranged: a secure carrier for a cat and appropriate equipment for a dog.
- A cat’s litter box, litter, and scoop are ready, or a dog’s collar with identification and leash are ready.
- Toys are appropriately sized, well constructed, and free of loose pieces that could be swallowed.
- Loose wires, chemicals, cleaning products, medications, and human food are secured out of reach.
- You have asked the shelter about current food, medical and behavior information, equipment needs, and resident-pet introductions where relevant.
- You have a plan for veterinary follow-up after adoption.
Getting these basics ready is enough to make adoption day practical without trying to predict every future need. Keep the first setup safe and familiar, then adjust supplies as you learn what suits the individual pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new dog or cat cost per year?
A 2023 Associated Press report cited American Pet Products Association estimates of $1,400 annually for a dog and $1,200 for a cat. Those are historical averages, not a current local quote or a guarantee of what an individual pet will cost.
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The adoption-day checklist is species-specific: a secure carrier is the cat’s transport essential, while a crate or enclosure should be chosen only when it suits that animal. Ask the shelter what the cat is accustomed to and what it recommends for the individual pet.
When should I take my newly adopted cat to the vet?
Humane Society Silicon Valley recommends a veterinary examination within one to two weeks after a new cat or kitten arrives. Ask the adoption facility for the animal’s medical information and arrange follow-up with a veterinarian.
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