Make Sure Everyone In The House Is Prepared To Have A Cat
Talk to your family members before bringing a new cat home. Make sure everyone knows that the fun begins only after kitty feels safe and her needs are met. Once you’re sure everyone is ready for feeding, litter changing and grooming, you can divvy up chores among family members so everyone is prepared to care for kitty before she arrives.

Do You Know What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You?
The average cat has a vocabulary of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing and meowing—not to mention a wide-range of playful and serious body language. Make sure to be mindful of your new friend, if she is not feeling good or wants to play, let her tell you.

Stock Up On Supplies Before Kitty Arrives
Have all of your cat’s needs ready so she can get right down to the business of making herself at home. Kitty will need:
• A litter box and the brand of litter she’s been using (you will know in time if she would prefer a different brand as she may then go outside of the box)
• Food and water bowls and the food she’s used to eating
• A sturdy, rough-textured scratching post—at least three feet high—that allows her to stretch completely while scratching
• Safe, stimulating toys. Hint: If you give her toys that make noises, you’ll know when she’s playing
• A bed lined with a soft, warm blanket or towel, especially if you have adopted an older kitty
• Grooming tools: a high-quality brush and nail clipper are a good start

Identity Is Key
Proper identification is a necessity. An ID tag or implanted microchip will help ensure she’ll be returned to you if she gets out and can’t find her way home. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something. We caution against letting cats outdoors, but if you do—or if a window or door is left open—a safety collar and an ID tag may be what bring your missing cat home. Remember, indoor cats live an average of 10+ years longer than an outdoor kitty.

A Room Of One's Own
Choose a low-traffic room your kids and other pets don’t frequent—this will be your cat’s safe space to sniff, eat, scratch and play while she gets her bearings. Arrange her food and water bowls, bed and litter box—and scatter her toys around. You can even clean off a windowsill for her and have soft music playing. She’ll appreciate the chance to feel out her new family from inside her haven.

Behavior
Give your cat a little structure to lean on. For the first few weeks, provide him with the same kind of food and feeding schedule and give him the same brand of litter, too, for a familiar scent and feel on his paws. Later on, if you wish to switch to different products, you can make a slow transition. Just because your new purrfect friend has great behaviour before doesn't mean he will when he gets home. Any new place or loud noises or new environment can stress out your new kitty. This means they may have diarrhea, urinate in the wrong areas or refuse to eat. A routine is key as well as maybe an extra litter box, scratching posts and extra time to adjust.

What's New, Pussycat?
With a whole new life in store for her, Kitty will need some time and space to check out her surroundings and all of her new play things. Give her time alone in her room to get comfortable before you come in to play with her. If you have other pets, it’s a good idea to leave your new cat in her own room for a few days will allow the other animals in the house to get used to her sounds and scent. (Hint: Watch from the door to see how she leaves her carrier. Whether she pussyfoots into a dark corner or zooms out into the room, you’ll know how she feels about her new surroundings.)

Introducing Kitty To The Pack
Go slow at first. A cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. If you have kids, let them introduce themselves one at a time. Hold up on the meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until your kitty is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule. If you have other pets, don’t let your new addition have free run of the house. This is the territory of the animals who have lived with you already. Allow all of your pets to meet in the new cat's territory—and make sure you’re there to supervise.

Cat-Proof Your Home
When your cat is ready to explore the rest of her new home (for short excursions at first), be sure to get rid of stray items she might chew on or swallow, like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. Pens and pencils may need to be kept in drawers. You may also have to tape wires to baseboards and put caps on outlets.

Put away harsh cleaning products, human medications and household poisons, and rehome any houseplants that might be toxic to her. Make sure foods that aren’t healthy for a cat’s tummy are placed securely out of reach.

Visit The Vet Within Her First Week
Bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption. No matter where you adopted her, make sure to get what vet records may be avialable. Beware of anyone who will not let you have a copy of kitty's vet records. Most shelters and rescues will have vet records and will be open to talk to you about your new friends habits, likes and dislikes.

It's all about kitty!
Last but not least, as with all animals, never force them to do something. And if they are starting to have behavioral problems, look at what changes may have caused them. Work closely with your vet and maybe even a trainer. Most behavioral problems are because kitty is trying to tell you something. Kitty wants to be your forever companion and she wants you to be hers so play, listen, watch and learn from these extremely independent but loving creatures because it's all about them!!