Tips for Adopting a Rescue Cat

Introduction

Being prepared is a necessity when it comes to adding a new furry member to the family. You will need to plan ahead and ask yourself what kind of cat you would like to live with. Which age would be best suited to your home, and if your budget is suitable for the commitment of a feline friend.

Before The Adoption

Think about those you live with – Who do you live with? Family or a partner? Do you have roommates? You will need to get those you live with on board first. Make sure you have everyone’s consent and that no one has any allergies, as things could get quite messy. If you have younger children who haven’t been around cats yet, then It would be a good idea to introduce them to a friend or family member’s cat and see their behaviour - you may want to wait a while before adopting a cat if your little one isn’t too keen yet.

Is your home right? – With introducing any new animal to your home, you will need to ensure your home is right for a cat. You will require enough room for a little tray, cat bed and feeding areas. Not to mention all their toys and scratching posts to keep them active and stimulated to prevent boredom and scratching of the furniture.

Your financials – Cats are not the most expensive animal to care for, but they’re not cheap either! The initial cost will include bedding for kitty, a collar, tags, and a new litter tray, and the adoption fee is between £35 and £55, depending on the age of the cat, when adopting from the RSPCA. This cost does, however, include the cat’s vaccinations. Then comes the monthly costs, such as pet insurance, food, cat litter, cat beds and toys and recurring costs, like vet bills. Make sure you work out your budget to confirm you have sufficient funds to care for a new cat.

The Picking Process

Cat or Kitten? This will need to be discussed with your family members, and their ages taken into consideration. Consider the temperament of a cat before making any decisions. A kitten will be energetic and require much time and attention. Do you have enough spare time to devote to entertaining a young kitten, training and playing with them? An older cat will already be housebroken and a bit more relaxed. When looking for an older cat, would you prefer a lap cat who loves a snuggle or a more independent cat who prefers its own company? Cats come in all different shapes, sizes and ages. Once you have come to a decision on the cat, then this will help you determine if the cat is right for you.

Take your time – It is important to take your time, through the whole process, from the decision-making and especially when you go to visit cats. Bring the whole family with you and walk through the cat area slowly; look out for how each of the cats reacts to you. You can then have a quick interaction with the ones that showed an interest in you and see how they react to being picked up and petted by you and your family. It is important to be patient at this time and give the cat some space as it can become overwhelming for kitty. You can always visit again before you make your final decision.

Ask all your questions – Make sure to ask any questions which you believe are important, which will help you be better placed to be able to come to a decision. Ask about the cat’s medical history, if they are an indoor or outdoor cat, their behaviour and if there are any concerns at all regarding the cat you would like to take home.

Adoption Complete

Prepare for your new arrival – Before you bring Puss home, ensure your home is fully stocked up with all the kitty essentials. Cat litter trays, water bowls and food bowls and somewhere cosy for your new cat to sleep. Have a room ready for their arrival with all their necessities. As cats are territorial animals, they may feel uneasy and nervous coming into a new home, so they should have somewhere private where they can relax.

Cats rely heavily on scent, so a good idea will be to drop off a blanket with the cat at their current home to sleep with to pick up the scent and bring it to your home with them, so they have something that smells familiar.

For more information on preparing your home for a new cat see our previous article - The Top Things First Time Cat Owners Should Know

Transition into a new routine – Spend the initial first days with your new furry family member bonding and getting to know them. Start slowly establishing trust by providing plenty of space so that they feel safe in their new home. They may also be looking for somewhere to claw, so make sure you have a scratch pad at the ready to prevent kitty clawing at the couch! Create a routine so that they know when to expect mealtimes and playtimes. Establishing a structure will help to ease the transition.

If you are rehoming an older cat, they may require transitioning to new cat food. It is best to do this slowly as changing any animal's diet too rapidly can lead to tummy upset. Do it slowly over the course of a week. With an older cat, it is best to let them take the lead, and they will let you know when they feel comfortable.

Pet Introductions – The important thing to remember is not to rush these things. If you own other pets, then introduce your new cat slowly, and keep them separated until the new addition is comfortable in their new space. Once they feel safe and comfortable, the introductions can begin, but keep them short and always be present for the duration of the meeting. You can start by switching their beds, so they get a smell of each other. Patience is so important when it comes to building a lasting relationship between your pets.

For more information on introducing your new cat to your dog family, please see our previous article - Introducing Your New Cat to a Dog Household

Adopting a cat is a happy and rewarding experience for all involved!

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.