Did you know that approximately 70 percent of cats living in shelters are euthanized due to lack of space and resources? Because there are so many cute, sweet adoptable pets available, it makes sense to adopt when you’re in the market for a new furry friend. In honor of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, here are a few tips from the ASCPA for bringing a kitty home.

• Give her some space. It’s important for your kitty to have a quiet place—such as a guest bedroom—to go when she first arrives so she can get used to the sights and sounds of her new digs. Stock the room with the following: 
  
• A litter box (try to use the same litter the shelter used so she’ll have a familiar scent and feel on her paws)
  
• Food and water bowls (try to use the same food she had at the shelter to; if you want to switch foods later, you can do so slowly) 
  
• A sturdy scratching post that’s at least three feet high (so that she can stretch completely)
  
• Toys (Extra tip: If you provide her with toys that squeak, you’ll be able to hear when she’s playing without bothering her)
  
• A pet bed or a soft blanket 
• A pet brush and a nail clipper (which you’ll use later for grooming) 
• Slowly introduce your cat to the house. Felines can take up to two weeks to get used to their new environment, so ask family members, especially kids, to be gentle with Fluffy until she gets her bearings. Let her out of her room for short excursions at first. If you have other pets, read about how to introduce them here.
• Pet-proof your pad. Curious cats can get hurt or sick if they chew on or swallow objects such as electrical wires, pens, pencils, toilet paper or paper towels. Store these items out of reach, and keep an eye on her until you’re confident she’s safe roaming alone.
• Go to the vet. Bring your feline in for a wellness exam within a week after adoption.
• ID her. Have your kitty wear a collar with an ID tag attached in case she gets out of the house and becomes lost. 

Posted by Emily Hendricks-Turnier, Associate Editor 

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