Cat Adoption Checklist

Thinking of adopting a cat? First, check out these helpful tips, gathered by American Humane.

1. If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Two cats can provide this for each other. Plus they’ll provide more benefits to you. Cats’ purring has been shown to soothe humans as well as themselves – and they have an uncanny ability to just make you smile. A great place to start your search is online. Sites like petfinder.com let you search numerous shelters in your area simultaneously to help narrow your search and more quickly find the match that’s right for you and your new feline friend.

2. Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours. Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.

3. Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first few days following the adoption. You’ll want to take any medical records you received from the adoption center on your first visit.

4. Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home. Visiting the shelter or animal control facility should be a family affair. When adopting a new cat with existing pets at home, discuss with the adoption coordinator how to make a proper introduction.

5. Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat. Understand any pet is a responsibility and there’s a cost associated with that. A cat adopted from a shelter is a bargain; many facilities will have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification.

6. Stock up on supplies before the cat arrives. Be prepared so your new cat can start feeling at home right away. See list on opposite side of page.

7. Cat-proof your home. A new cat will quickly teach you not to leave things lying out. Food left on the kitchen counter will serve to teach your new friend to jump on counters for a possible lunch. Get rid of loose items your cat might chew on, watch to ensure the kitten isn’t chewing on electric cords, and pick up random items like paper clips (which kittens may swallow).

8. Go slowly when introducing your cat to new friends and family. It can take several weeks for a cat to relax in a new environment. It’s a great idea to keep the new addition secluded to a single room (with a litter box, food and water, toys, and the cat carrier left out and open with bedding inside) until the cat is used to the new surroundings; this is particularly important if you have other pets. If you’ve adopted a kitten, socialization is very important. But remember – take it slow.

9. Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan. You probably have a plan in place for getting your family to safety in case of an emergency. Adjust this plan to include your pets. Add phone numbers for your veterinarian and closest 24-hour animal hospital to your “in-case-of-emergency” call list.

10. If you’re considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is an active participant in the adoption process. Though well-meaning, the surprise kitty gift doesn’t allow for a “get-to know-one-another” period. Remember, adopting a cat isn’t like purchasing a household appliance or a piece of jewelry – this is a real living, breathing, and emotional being.

Items you’ll want to be sure you have:

A Carrier for Transporting your Pet: We recommend getting a hard sided medium sized carrier (one per-cat). The small carriers are cute, but your cat will grow out of them very quickly! We don’t recommend getting softsided carriers.

Food and Water Bowls: We recommend ceramic or metal bowls over plastic. Food: We will provide you with a day or so of food, but it’s a good idea to stock up before your new pet comes home! Please ask us what your kitty will need to be eating, and we’d be happy to let you know where to buy it!

A Good-Sized Litter Box: We recommend at least one box per cat. Be sure the box is big enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in, high-sided boxes are a great choice! A Litter Scoop: For daily scooping of the litter box.

Cat Litter: We can recommend and/or let you know what your new cat has been using.

A cat tree and/or scratching post: Getting both vertical and horizontal is a good idea, along with getting trees with different types of material. Feel free to ask us and we would be happy to let you know what we recommend for your new pet!

Toys: Catnip, mice, balls, and wand toys are all great options to help you bond with your new pet! Be sure to hide wand toys when you are not home to avoid your new pet from tangling themselves in them.

Other: A pet bed • Nail Clippers • Pet Brush or comb • Paper towels and non-toxic cleaner in case of accidents • A lint roller

You can download/print this blog post as a PDF!