“Top 10” Checklist for Adopting a Kitten
Guest Blog by Lauri Bates, DVM, at Double Churches Animal Clinic, P.C.
Spring and early summer bring us into “kitten season”. Shelters and rescue groups become overwhelmed with kittens that need to be fostered and ultimately need to find homes. Because of this, the American Humane Society has declared June to be “Adopt a Shelter Cat” month. If you’re thinking about adopting a kitten for your family, here is a Top 10 Checklist you can follow.
1. Two are better than one.
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. In general, cats with long hair and round heads and bodies are more easygoing than lean cats with narrow heads and short hair, who are typically more active. Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.
3. Choose your vet ahead of time.
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. Kittens in particular should accompany you to make the appointment – even before the exam itself – so staff can pet the cat and tell you that you’ve chosen the most beautiful one ever.
4. Make it a family affair.
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 facility 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. Your cat will need a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a cushy bed, a brush for grooming, a toothbrush and nail clippers.
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. Avoid a “surprise kitty” gift.
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.
Here are some links to local organizations who can be helpful in finding your perfect new housemate.
Dr. Bates is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA). She has practiced in Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama, before coming to work at Double Churches Animal Clinic in 2009. Outside of work, Dr. Bates enjoys spending time with her children. They are active in sports, drama, band and the choir at Auburn High School. They share their home with their cats, Sparkleshine, Holly and Emma as well as two chihuahuas, Rose and Monsieur Piglet.
