You’ve just signed the last bit of paperwork, and now it’s official—you’re the proud owner of a new rescue cat! But the work doesn’t stop there. Rescue pet parents have to make sure everything is in place before their kitty can step their paws over the threshold and into your home.

Pet parents will do everything in their power to keep their pups safe and healthy. Unfortunately, despite the annual checkups, vaccines, balanced diet and regular exercise, some dogs inevitably fall ill with an autoimmune disease. These diseases lead your pup’s body to damage itself, and they can have devastating consequences if they aren’t treated.

Adoption is forever—at least, that’s the way it should be. Many of the animals in shelters and rescue agencies have bounced from one owner to the next, partly because those owners didn’t take the time to make sure they were a good match for the rescue dog. It’s important to go into a rescue adoption with a firm understanding of your own lifestyle and capabilities and how those match with your potential furry companion.