Bringing home a new pet

Phrases

We're thinking about getting a...

you're considering it, not decided

We're thinking about getting a cat. Any advice?

adopt

take a pet home from a shelter

We adopted her from the animal shelter downtown.

animal shelter

a place that cares for pets that need a home

The animal shelter is open for visits on weekends.

Are pets allowed in the building?

checking the rules before you commit

Before we decide, are pets allowed in the building?

pet deposit

extra money a landlord asks for in case of damage

The landlord wants a pet deposit of three hundred dollars.

pet-proof the apartment

make the home safe for a new animal

We need to pet-proof the apartment before the kitten arrives.

supplies

the things you need, like a bed, bowls and a leash

We bought all the supplies, but she only wants to sleep in a box.

She's settling in.

she's getting comfortable in her new home

She's settling in. She explored every room last night.

He's still getting used to us.

he's not relaxed yet

He hides under the bed. He's still getting used to us.

It's a big commitment.

a pet needs time and money for years

A dog is a big commitment. We'll need to walk her twice a day.

first night

the difficult first night in a new home

The first night was hard. He cried until three in the morning.

name him after...

choose a name that comes from something else

We named him after my grandfather's old dog.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

1. Hana has wanted a rabbit for years, and we've finally said yes.
2. Have you thought about who'll walk the dog when we're both at work?
3. We've filled out the adoption form, and they're calling us on Monday.
4. The shelter said older cats are calmer, so we chose a five-year-old.
5. She hasn't eaten much yet, but the vet says that's normal for the first few days.