The first 72 hours can create a lifetime of anxiety. One quiet room changes everything.
Your home is a 'scent wall' of noise and newness. To your pet, it's not a house—it's a sensory assault that spikes their stress hormones for days.
Skip the open-plan lounge. Pick a secondary bedroom or laundry at least 4 metres from the front door. The postie's bike shouldn't trigger a panic attack.
Hard timber floors amplify every 'click-clack' of their claws. Grab a thick rug or carpet offcut from Mitre 10 to muffle the sound of footsteps.
Scanning windows for threats keeps them on edge. Use window frosting film from Kmart so they can't see birds or pedestrians outside.
Harsh overhead lights flicker in ways animals hate. Use a warm-toned lamp. It mimics the safety of a natural den and signals it's time to sleep.
Don't aim for total silence—it makes every dropped spoon scary. Use a white noise machine to mask the rumble of State Highway 1.
Ditch the citrus cleaners and candles. Use unscented, enzyme-based cleaners. Let their nose find 'nothing' so they can finally stop searching for danger.
Adaptil or Feliway diffusers from your local vet mimic a mother's calming pheromones. Plug it in 24 hours before they arrive for a head start.
If their ears are constantly flicking or they're pacing the perimeter, the zone is too loud. Move them further back or increase the white noise.
After 3 days, crack the door. Let them explore on their own terms. Never pull them out; their sanctuary must always be their choice.
By controlling the light, scent, and sound, you aren't just 'keeping them quiet.' You are giving their nervous system permission to trust you.
Get the shopping checklist for your sanctuary and the 'Rule of Three' timeline for New Zealand pets.