New arrivals need a plan before the gate opens

What to know

Penn State's introductory guide recommends quarantine for new and returning animals and changing contaminated shoes or clothing after contact with other herds. Ask your veterinarian how to implement separation and monitoring for your property.

Prepare the area, equipment and caretaker before arrival. Keep the source history and arrival observations in one record. A friendly animal or a normal-looking coat does not prove absence of disease. End the plan according to professional advice, not because the separation area is inconvenient.

Make the next step clear

1. 1Prepare a separate area.
2. 2Label equipment.
3. 3Record source history.
4. 4Confirm review criteria.

Printable planning sheet

Print this page or copy these labels into your own notebook. These are blank prompts, not data-entry fields. Nothing is saved or sent.

Related guides

Before the first animal comes home

Check the water system, not just the bucket

Keep feed out of the dirty traffic

A pasture note with a useful memory

Walk the boundary with a repair list

Keep individual history inside the herd picture

A smallholding review before the season changes

Sources and method

Original planning worksheets informed by the sources above. No clinical review has been completed. Sources checked October 19, 2026. General guidance may not fit your animal or local rules.