Just adopted? Here's your first week.
Congratulations — and welcome to the slightly overwhelming part. Here's what actually needs doing in the first week, roughly in order of urgency.
Book a vet visit
Aim for the first week, even if the rescue already did a health check. A local vet can confirm vaccination history, start a parasite-prevention plan, and become your go-to for anything that comes up later.
Confirm the microchip is registered to you
Most rescues chip before adoption, but the registry record needs to be updated to your name and phone number — otherwise a lost pet gets traced back to the rescue, not you.
Get a municipal licence and an ID tag
Many Canadian cities and towns require a dog licence (and sometimes a cat licence). Check your municipality's site. Either way, a tag with your phone number is a cheap backup if the microchip scanner isn't handy.
Line up pet insurance before the honeymoon period ends
Insurance excludes pre-existing conditions, so the earlier you sign up after adoption, the more it actually covers. See our comparison of Canadian providers below.
Pet-proof one room before the whole house
Secure loose cords, put away anything chewable or toxic (some houseplants, certain foods, small objects), and give them a quiet space to decompress rather than the run of the house on day one.
Keep their old food for the first week
Ask the rescue what they were eating and transition gradually over 7–10 days. A sudden food switch on top of a new home is a common cause of stomach upset.
Save an emergency vet number
Find the nearest 24-hour animal emergency clinic before you need one, and keep the number somewhere you'll actually find it at 11 p.m.
Go slow on introductions
New people, other pets, and busy places can wait. A calm first week or two builds more trust than a busy one — even confident animals need time to decompress in a new home.
Haven't adopted yet?
Browse our directory of Canadian rescues and shelters to find one near you.