So you’re finally ready to welcome a new pet to the family—whether it’s your first or 21st, the excitement never seems to change. When we think about it, welcoming a new furry friend into your home is a huge deal since these pets will spend the entirety of their lives with us. As such, you must ensure you prepare your home, self, and surroundings as much as possible to welcome them in. Keep reading for some tips on how to do just that.

Stick to One Area

You have to imagine how stressed your new pet might feel. There has likely been a lot of commotion around them as handlers move them from one place to another. They don’t know just yet that the move to your home is a permanent one. As such, when you bring your new furry friend home, prepare a room for them to stay in for the meantime.

Keeping your pet in one room will diminish any anxieties and overstimulation they might experience. Try to have everything set up in the room you plan to host them in with things like toys, food, and a litter box if applicable.

Clean Out Air Ducts

Unless you love cold-blooded friends, pretty much any animal you welcome into your home will have a good amount of fur. Whether or not you have furry pets at home already, it’s a good idea to give your HVAC a deep cleansing. Fur can easily trap itself in your vents and contribute to that animal smell. Moreover, your new friend might pick up on the scents of their future roommates, which could cause anxieties that you want to avoid.

Rearrange Living Room

With every guest you welcome into your home, you need to make some rearrangements. As such, when you decorate your living room, you want to keep your furry friend in mind. Consider opting for furniture with easily washable fabrics, as your new pet might have an accident here or there. If your furniture set-up is already permanent, you can also purchase a couch cover in the meantime—they are cheap and easy to throw in the wash.