New Puppy or Kitten? Start Them Off Right.
NSVH loves new pets. We’ll guide you through vaccinations, nutrition, parasite prevention, and everything your new family member needs — at your pace.
Call to Schedule Your New Pet’s First Visit: 484-427-7598
Why NSVH for Your New Pet?
Starting out with the right partner sets your puppy or kitten up for a lifetime of healthy, low-stress care.
Personalized Vaccine Schedules
We build a vaccination and wellness plan customized to your pet’s lifestyle — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Indoor cat vs. outdoor cat. City dog vs. trail dog. It matters.
Fear Free From Day One
How a puppy or kitten experiences their first vet visit shapes their relationship with veterinary care for life. Our Fear Free certified team invests in making that first visit a positive one.
Resources Beyond the Appointment
We’ve built comprehensive guides for new puppy and kitten owners, so the visit is never your only resource. You leave with a plan — and the answers you need between visits.
What to Expect at Your Pet’s First Visit
Your first appointment is all about getting to know your new puppy or kitten and building the foundation for a healthy life. We’ll cover a complete physical exam, your pet’s vaccination schedule, nutrition counseling, parasite prevention, microchipping, and early behavior guidance — and because every visit is a full 30 minutes, there’s real time to ask every question a new owner has.
Puppies typically begin their vaccine series around 6–8 weeks and continue every 3–4 weeks through about 16 weeks of age. Kittens follow a similar series, usually from 8 to 16 weeks. We’ll map out exactly which visits your pet needs and when, so nothing slips through the cracks.
We wrote these so you can come prepared: read our New Puppy Guide and New Kitten Guide before your first visit.
New Patient FAQ
When should I bring my new puppy or kitten in for their first visit?
As soon as you can — ideally within the first few days of bringing them home, and before their vaccine series lapses. If your pet is due for shots in their first 16 weeks, getting on the schedule early keeps them protected on time.
What vaccines does a puppy need in their first year?
Puppies receive a core series of DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks of age, plus a rabies vaccine. Depending on lifestyle, we may also recommend leptospirosis, Bordetella, canine influenza, or Lyme. We’ll tailor the exact plan to your puppy.
What vaccines does a kitten need?
Kittens receive a core FVRCP series (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) from roughly 8 to 16 weeks, plus a rabies vaccine. For kittens with outdoor access, we usually recommend the feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine as well.
Do I need to bring anything to my pet’s first appointment?
Bring any paperwork from the breeder, shelter, or rescue — including vaccination or deworming records — plus a fresh stool sample if you have one. And bring your questions! The 30-minute visit is built for them.
Do you microchip puppies and kittens?
Yes. Microchipping is quick, and we can do it during a routine visit or at the same time as a spay/neuter. We’ll also make sure the chip is registered so you’re reunited quickly if your pet is ever lost.
Can you see a rescue pet whose vaccination history is unknown?
Absolutely — it’s one of the most common first visits we see. If records are missing, we’ll start fresh with a thorough exam and build a safe vaccine and parasite-prevention plan from there.
How soon after adopting should I schedule an appointment?
We recommend scheduling within the first week. An early visit lets us confirm your new pet is healthy, answer your questions, and keep their vaccine series on track — and many adoption contracts require a vet visit within a set number of days.
