The reunion is what all of this is for. Then comes the part people forget: he's tired, the smells are wrong, and the house is full of boxes and strangers. Keep the first days small.
The first hours
- Follow the feeding and water plan your vet agreed, and call a vet if anything looks wrong.
- In a warm place, a cool room and fresh water, and the cooler parts of the house for a few days.
- One room, door locked, while movers are coming and going. It only takes one open door.
The first days
- No hard exercise for several days to a week.
- Outside, somewhere protected in the garden.
- The same routine as before: food, walks and play at the same times. The place has changed. The day shouldn't.
The first week
Register with a nearby vet as soon as you can. If he's chipped, get the chip registered in the local database; if not, have it done straight away, so if he's lost on streets he doesn't know, he can be traced back to you.
The full list
- Your pet has had a long journey. Give it time to adjust to the new home and surroundings.
- Follow the animal-specific feeding and hydration plan agreed with your veterinarian; ask for veterinary help if anything looks wrong.
- In a warm climate, keep it from overheating. Put it in a cool room with fresh water and keep it in the cooler parts of the house for a few days.
- No vigorous exercise for several days to a week.
- Outdoors, make sure your pet has access to a protected area in the garden.
- Keep your pet in a separate room at first, particularly if movers are delivering household effects. Lock the door so nobody can open it accidentally and let your pet escape.
- Keep the same routine as before, so your pet is fed, walked and played with at the same times of day.
- Register with a nearby vet as soon as possible. If your pet is already microchipped, register the details in the local database. If it is not, have it done straight away so that a lost pet can be traced back to you.
If you've landed in India
Pet registration after arrival is municipal, and each city sets its own rule. We check the current requirement for the city where the animal will live and handle it where the local authority asks for registration.
Source: IKAN Lola's published arrival guidance.