Shelter Cats Tips: Bringing Home A Shelter Cat
Greetings cat people!
That’s the tag line I’m going with on my Shelter Cats Podcast.
Have you listened yet?
You haven’t?
Sigh…..that’s ok, I forgive you.
Just search “Shelter Cats” on the usual podcast sources. New episodes every Sunday!
Or just go to my link tree here:
So for once, my blog and my podcast are going to be in alignment, kind of like the old radio days where sometimes the radio show would be a word for word reproduction of the TV show.
Remember those days?
Here’s the first in a new series I’m calling….
Shelter Cats Tips!
The first Shelter Cats Tip is an obvious one.
What’s the best way to bring a shelter cat home?
Or, rather, what’s the best way to introduce a shelter cat to your home?
Here’s what’s worked for me based on a lifetime of loving cats and a quarter century of owning cats.
Your experience may vary, but this is what’s always worked for me.
NOTE: this is for a single cat home,I’ll have a separate blog about introducing a cat into a home with existing cats.
- How do I even choose a shelter cat?
When choosing a shelter cat, keep an open mind. Try not to go in wanting a specific color, age, or gender. Any reputable shelter will allow you to spend time with all the cats. Cats choose people. Sit in the room with the cats and see who approaches you, and see who interacts with you. It won’t be long before your future feline love will find their way to you, rub your legs, and you’ll be falling in love. Don’t be surprised if that cat is nowhere near the type of cat you went in expecting to adopt. Spend time with that cat, pet them, and see how they interact with you. When your cat has chosen you, trust me, you will know. You will know.
2. Where should I look for a shelter cat?
Look in your area, and on social media, for local shelters and rescue groups. Many rescue groups don’t even have physical buildings and rely on a network of volunteers and foster homes for their animals. Give them a call or send them a message and I have no doubt they’ll have tons of loving cats that need homes. Win win if your cat is already in a foster home! They’ve already been acclimated to home life, and the transition might be even easier to your home.
3. What should I get before I bring my shelter cat home?
EVERYTHING! Make sure to have carrier, litter, a litter box, food and water bowls, dry food, wet food, beds, and plenty of toys and scratching posts and scratch pads. Make sure to get the type of food they’re currently eating, both wet and dry, since some cats are picky eaters, that will help make sure they eat what they’re used to. If you want to change to a different brand, you can gradually introduce that and change it over little by litter. If they have a bed or something with their scent in their foster home or shelter see if they’ll let you bring that home with your new cat. Having a familiar scent will help the cat get used to the strange scents in your home.
4. Should I cat-proof my home?
YES! Make sure you have a spare room for the cat. It’s a VERY good idea to confine the cat to one room at first, and let them explore the rest of your home gradually. That helps them acclimate and not get overwhelmed. When you choose that room, which could be a bedroom, bathroom, or spare room, make sure nothing dangerous is around. Wires hidden, anything breakable removed, and make sure to set up a clean litter box and food and water bowls before you bring the cat home.
5. How do I let my cat into my home on day one?
Here’s what I do: bring the carrier with the cat into the room you’ve set up, and release the cat next to the litter box. For some reason the location of the litter box is usually imprinted in their brains and they’ll know where to go to the bathroom and where not to go. Usually. Don’t be surprised if there is an accident or two for the first day. If accidents continue, try this tip that also works for kittens: pick up the cat, put it in the litter box, and gently take a front paw and dig the paw in the litter. That should also get the point accross that THIS is where the barthroom is. If accidents continue, have the cat checked out by your vet to rule out anything medical.
6. What should I expect the day I bring my shelter cat home?
Honestly? Don’t expect much. While an exciting day for you, this is a HUGE change for the cat. Only that cat will know what their past was, so you’ll never really know the full extent of what brought them to the shelter. While my Tyler never hid, and fell in love with his forever home from the second he was introduced to it. most cats will explore for a few minutes and then dart under the nearest bed of hide behind the nearest couch.
7. BE PATIENT AND FOLLOW A ROUTINE!
Be patient with your new cat. This has been a HUGE change. Your cat might hide for days, weeks, even months. BE PATIENT. Trust me, your patience will pay off. Be sure to feed them breakfast and dinner the same time each day so they begin to develop a routine. It might also help your cat bond with you since they’ll come to expect you to feed them. Follow a routine! Do what you normally do so your cat gets used to your daily routine, whatever that is. I clean in the mornings and work from home, so my cats, all FIVE of them, are used to when I clean, when I vacuum, when I shower, and when it’s time for me to sign in and work the day away. They also know when the day is done and it’s time to have dinner and relax. Most of all, be patient, every cat adjusts to your home, and your home life, at their own pace. Some take hours, some take months. Have patience, this is a years, sometimes over a decade, in ownership. Being patient for the first few months and letting your cat adjust will pay off in the end. Trust me on that.
8. TALK TO YOUR CATS!
This is one that has always worked for me. I talk to my cats. If they’re hiding under the bed, I peek under the bed, look into their eyes, and just start talking. Trust me, it works. Talk about your day, who you are, your home life, the routine, just talk to them. You may think it strange, but they’re listening, and they understand. I talked for hours to Tucker, Vance, Taylor, Mona, Sophie, all of my cats. I still do. They listen, and they know what you’re feeling. Before you know it, that cat might just be listening to you ramble on about your day curled up in your lap, purring away.
9. Enjoy the experience!
Take tons of pics, and tons of videos. Document it all! There is no greater feeling than introducing a shelter cat to your home. It’s SO rewarding, and so worth the effort. Enjoy every minute!
This has worked for me, and I hope it will for you too!
Did I miss anything, let me know, and don’t forget to listen to the Shelter Cats Podcast!
