Adoption Instructions

Remember when adopting, while some kitties are instantly loves, time, patience, and love is still needed for them to feel completely safe and comfortable in your home. Having access to the whole house right away can be overwhelming

Every pet is unique and will adjust differently, but time and care make everything better. Please have patience and allow your new pet time to settle in”. There is no such things as doing things too slow.

Kittens and Cats

Remember to give time for the transition. While kittens aren’t usually used to being alone and will thus need you and your other animals sooner rather than later, so often it is better to gauge introductions on what your current animals need. With transitions in general and adults in particular, the slower the better; but with kittens you don’t want them to get too lonely, so it is a balancing act.

Never introduce an animal to others with one contained in a carrier or crate. Once you put your kitten in the safe room, bring the empty carrier out for your animals to sniff. Bring in blankets or beds your animals have slept on, bring out ones the kitten has slept on, so they get used to each others scents before you introduce them.

When introducing the kitten to resident cats, remember instinctively an adult cat will see a kitten and think there is a protective mom around so may hiss, swat, or growl to get the kitten to go away. Once they realize the kitten is alone, they are more likely to take the kitten in.

Interactive play is a great way to get them involved in same area but more interested in the task, in doing something fun, than each other. Try to make every interaction a positive one.

Kittens and Dogs

When introducing to a dog for the first time, put dogs on a leash (or in a down if well trained and just allow the cat to walk by if he/she wants to. Evaluate both the dog and the cat. Is the cat fearful or curious? Is the dog happy/playful or chomping at the bit?

After introductions have occurred, keep in mind the following tips:

• Never leave a cat and dog unsupervised, even if it looks like they get along great. A playful dog can still unintentionally harm a cat.

• Make sure the cat has places to jump up to in each room or hide where a dog cannot get to him/her. Cats need this not only to protect their self, but to feel safe.

• Playful chasing is normal, but always remind a dog to play nice/slow down/not run.

• Do not allow a dog or another cat to stare down your new cat. A dog or cat should know that he/she is not allowed to obsess on the new cat.

The new cat may swipe at a dog or cat or hiss, in order to correct. This is usually a great help in ensuring another animal knows his/her place. But, keep an eye on interactions to ensure the cat does not injure another animal as well. A cat will also growl if scared and is an indication that more time is needed and the growling cat is scared.

Kittens and Kids

Cats and kids go together like peanut butter and jelly; they are great playmates and confidants. But, children must learn proper handling and discipline, and cats must learn self-control so that they do not play too rough. (Some cats like to use their claws, especially kittens and they are razor sharp)

Children should be supervised and taught that cats are beings, not dolls or toys to dress-up or handled constantly. Teach children not to tease or rile up the cat unnecessarily. This includes chasing around the house, which can scare a cat, who may bite if cornered or frightened.

Make sure your children know that it is not the cat’s fault if the cat chews up toys that are left out. Keeping doors shut and toys in toy boxes can help minimize damage. Make sure the cat has his/her own toys, and keep them in the same place all the time, like in a basket.

Children like the idea of caring for a cat, but the daily work of feeding, brushing, and cleaning up after the cat is not really suited for them. Recognize that the initial enthusiasm will wane quickly, and the true responsibility of caring for the cat will fall to the adults in the household.

Children should not play unsupervised with new kitties. For kittens, teach proper handling (pick up by the body, not the limbs), and limit interaction. Children need to be taught that a kitten’s mouthing is not biting, and that the kitten is not trying to hurt them. Perhaps most importantly, children must learn to properly discipline the cat/kitten, a sharp “no”. Children often react to a cats’ bad behavior by hitting the cat, this is unacceptable and will cause behavioral problems. Kittens also tend to be wiggly, and tend to use their claws to climb (legs) and when jumping (from arms or laps) or wiggling out of being held or running over someone when playing; and often younger children don't understand the kitten didn't mean to hurt them.  Often too it is harder for younger ones to remember to close the door quickly so the kitty doesn't get out.  Or sometimes closing doors too quickly without seeing the kitten is there. So close supervision and a lot of talking about gentle care should be done.