Before running out to the local shelter or rescue organization and adopting a cat, make sure you are prepared for it. Adopting a cat isn’t a small thing. It requires a willingness to share your home and care for them the rest of their life. There are several things a good owner should do before adopting a cat.
The first thing to do is cat-proof your house. You will learn quickly not to leave stuff lying about whether it’s loose items or food. String, rubber bands, paper clips, electric cords, and the cords from your curtains all pose a threat. Make sure to research any plants you have to make sure that they aren’t toxic to cats as well.
Get your house ready so that your newly adopted cat starts feeling at home as soon as possible. This means getting all the supplies needed beforehand. You will need to get food and water bowls, food, litter box, litter, a comfy bed, scratching posts, fun but stimulating toys, nail clippers and a brush for grooming.
The most important thing you will need to do is find a veterinarian. Most cats that are adopted from shelters or rescue groups have already been neutered or spayed and vaccinated, but they will need continued medical care. Try searching online, or ask family and friends who they go to, check with the shelter or rescue organization you are planning to adopt from who they recommend. Once you have it narrowed down go and visit the facility, take a tour, and meet the staff. The hospital should be clean, clutter free, and have no lingering foul odors. Watch how the staff interacts with the other animals and clients that are there. If the staff doesn’t make you feel comfortable, then they probably won’t make your new kitty comfortable either.
Make sure to add you newly adopted cat into the family emergency plan. Hopefully you have a plan already in place for your family, so it’s just a simple matter of adjusting it to include your furry family. The phone numbers of your veterinarian and the 24 hour veterinary hospital should be added to your emergency call list.
Adopting a cat can seem like a lot of work, but the reward you get by saving a life and giving them a forever home is priceless.
