Caring for your New Cat

First Steps

Supplies: Acquire food, litter, a litter box, scratching surface, toys, a cave, and a cat tree or window perch.  

Sanctuary Space: Set up a separate room with litter box, water, food, and a small cave/shelter. Block areas underneath furniture where a hiding cat may be hard to retrieve. 

Microchip:  Set up your microchip account. A microchip is not a GPS (neither is the tag), but can be scanned at most vets and shelters to access the guardian's contact information. Make sure you update your information anytime you move. 

Health: Connect with your vet to set up appointments for future vaccinations and wellness checks. Kittens under 16 weeks old will need their 3rd distemper vaccine a few weeks after adoption.

Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine for scooping litter, play, and food with household members. Just like dogs need to be walked, cats need interactive play with something like a wand toy to simulate hunting prior to being fed. Commit to providing at least two 10 minute play and then feeding sessions at the same time each day (more will be needed for young cats).

Resources

Cat Basics

Toxic Plants List

Body Language

Play

Litter Boxes

Grooming

Prep for the Vet

Flea, Tick, Heartworm Prevention

Common Issues

Changing Unwanted Behaviors

Cat-to-Cat Introductions

Cat-to-Dog Introductions

Training

Pheromones

Supporting Community Cats

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Your adoption fee covers the cost of spaying/neutering, rabies and age appropriate distemper vaccines, flea/tick prevention, Felv/FIV testing, and microchipping. Adoption fees also help offset the cost of medical expenses for your cat and other cats in our care.

  • Yes, we are able to take owner surrenders as long as the owner fills out the Surrender Form. There is no charge, but a donation is always appreciated.

  • No, we are a foster based rescue and the cats and kittens stay with volunteer foster parents until they are ready to get adopted. You can view our felines available for adoption on Petfinder.

  • We always encourage owners to reach out to their municipal shelter and provide as many details as possible to help ensure a reunion with your pet. In addition, making flyers and posting on social media sites/pages such as Facebook, Nextdoor, PawBoost, FindToto and others is very helpful. Don’t forget local veterinarians as well! Calling vets in and around your area is a great resource in case someone brought your cat/kitten in to check for a microchip. For more, please visit our Resources page.