First Time Owner Adoption & Pet Care Advice

 

Have you decided to adopt a cat but don’t know where to start? Say no more and take some of my furry but humble advice. Hi! I’m Pixie from Pixie’s Pet Corner and I’ll be going over the basics in bringing home your new furry member of your family! The best place to go is an animal rescue shelter to adopt your fur-baby. Pet shops have the tendency to mill out animals by overbreeding them. This can lead to eventual health (genetics) problems for the cat and behavioral (trauma) problems as well. Adopting a cat surrendered to a rescue or shelter is a great way of helping an animal in need and developing bonds with your cat for the long-term. You can research online a great shelter near you. Sometimes the shelters have FAQs and resource sections that can answer a lot of questions ahead of time. Make sure to do all your research before you go for a visit.

Visiting the Shelter

When visiting the shelter have questions ready about the cat and his or her history:

QUESTIONS TO ASK

How old is the cat? Is the cat litter trained?

What is the cat’s personality like?

Any behavioral problems to be aware of?

Health issues?

Has the cat had a previous owner? If so, what happened?

Has the cat had its shots/vaccine?

Has the cat been neutered or sprayed? If not, then what is the cost?

Has the cat received a microchip?

Does the cat have animal shelter cold (infection)? *Me and Leah has this!

Has the cat lived indoors or outdoors? Or both?

How long has the cat stayed at the shelter?

 

Let them know that it is your first time adopting a pet and any information that they can provide would be very helpful in making your decision.

Cost/Budget

Believe it or not even a rescue cat will cost money even BEFORE you take them home. Not to mention the cost of getting your home cat-ready (Editor’s note from Pixie’s Human Mama: we are pro-indoor cats!) for a new pet and doctor’s visit. There is also cost of food for them on a weekly and/or monthly basis. Please work out an expense report or spreadsheet before you adopt. It would be cruel to adopt and then realize you can’t provide for your cat appropriately.

Time

Workout your schedule to make sure you can spend quality time with your pet! Although cats are independent beings, they need a certain level of companionship as well. If you have no time, your cat will be bored and lonely. Behavioral problems can happen even if you adopt two cats together.  Also, vacation, school, sickness (yours), work, and holidays! Consider who will take care of you fur-baby when you can’t.

Shelter Visit

When visiting the shelter, don’t take home the first cat you see! Show interest in at least 3-4 cats. Take a mental note of their behaviors and interact with them until their personalities become apparent. When my sister Leah and I were adopted, we were able to spend time together with our family in a nice quiet room, that had a comfy bench and window. No other family was in there and we got a chance to interact with each other nicely. Also, don’t feel impulsive or pressured to adopt right away unless there are extenuating circumstances. Ask the shelter if other families are considering adopting the cats you have visited and how long do you have to decide. Give them your contact information and see if a hold can be placed until you can make a thoughtful decision. Spend a day or two thinking it over about who would make a great fit with you and your family, what the cost would be, and what your new routine would look like? Once you got the answers and made the decision, contact the shelter, and prepare to become a proud Mama or (P)aw-(P)aw to your new fur-baby!

Purchases for the Ride Home

Although the shelter provided cages for the ride home for me and Leah, you may not be so lucky! Make sure that you have:

PURCHASES FOR THE RIDE HOME

A roomy, cozy, and comfy travel carrier.

Little food treats and water.

Travel bowl/dish.

Wipe up towels.

Travel wee-wee pads.

Chew toys.

A cat collar.

A lightweight blanket (to cover the carrier in case we get scared! Just make sure we have access to air so we can breathe).

 

Purchase for the First Night Home

Before you bring us fur-babies home, make sure you cat proof your home! Do it first and thank a smart kitten later! Anything you don’t want scratched, climbed on, chewed on, knocked over, etc. Begin inspecting your home and ensure that it is safe for your cat! Any exposed wires need to be addressed immediately! Keep cabinets locked, and dangerous objects put away. Medications should be stored appropriately. They say that us cats have the intelligence level of a 3-year-old human toddler. Think of how you would change things around the house to keep us safe and away from harm. Here are the things you’ll need:

PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST NIGHT HOME

Litter box and kitty litter.

Cat bed.

Cat toys.

Water dish.

Food Bowl.

Dry mix cat food.

Wet food.

Lint brush.

Pet grooming comb and brush.

Scratching post.

Protector for furniture.

 

Have a quiet room where they can decompress ready and comfortable for them to get use to their new surroundings (like a small bedroom or bathroom). After a few days, they will begin to explore and realize that this is their fur-ever home where they belong! There are other things to consider after the adoption but for now this is quite enough. If you have all of this in place, the last part, the best part is lots of companionship, all of your heart felt love and adoration!

Got a question, comment, or a cat-astrophe on your furless paws?

You can always reach me at pixiespetcorner@gmail.com. And remember that no problem is ever too big or too small for this little black kitten!

Hugs & cat kisses from the luckiest black cat you know!

Until next time… Make Every day the Best Cat-urday!

Pixie

Pixie’s Pet Corner™

pixiespetcorner@gmail.com

The Luckiest Black Cat… Truly Beloved!™