Adopting from AdvoCATs!

Bringing Home Your New Best Friend.

You may need to do some serious shopping before bringing home Fluffy! If you don't already have these items, make a list:

• An appropriately-sized carrier. Make sure it has secure locks and closures. The top-loading carriers are among the easiest to use. Kittens can travel in one carrier, but you will need one for each as they grow. Animals should only be transported in carriers! Never in plain boxes, handbags, or suitcases!
• A litter box and the appropriate litter. The box should be the right size for your cat:
  

  • Kittens 6 months and younger need a shallow box and a non-clumping or non-silica litter. Stay away from all crystals, crystal blends, and "scoopable" litters. Why? Like all toddlers, kittens want to taste everything! These litters are harmful if swallowed. Pick up pine or paper based litters (like Feline Pine or Yesterday's News) for kittens. These are also excellent litters for just-spayed moms.
  • Adult cats will need a bigger box (duh, Felix). Very large cats may not like to use a covered box. Consider an open box or one with a rim. Any litter will do, it depends on your preference. Silica or crystal litters may take some adjustment for everyone. Pine litters can be used for mulch once you remove the solid waste (no, really!). Scoopable is very popular and inexpensive. You generally don't need more than one litter box in an average sized house.
• Food and water bowls. One large bowl for fresh water. One large bowl for dry food. You can leave dry food out all the time. Usually, your cat will eat as he or she pleases without overeating. One bowl of each is suitable for more than one cat. For moist food, small, individual bowls work best. There's no need to go out and buy fancy tableware. Your average ceramic, glass, or metal bowls will work just fine. Stay away from plastic bowls, though: They can cause acne around the mouth and nose.
• A scratching post. The corrugated cardboard kinds are fine. If you're looking at one of the carpeted variety, keep in mind that it should be taller than the cat. Part of scratching is the isometric stretch we get!
• Toys! Your cat needs something to do when you're not there. Fur-covered mice, fishing-pole toys, balls, etc. are great. You can also try peacock and ostrich feathers, plastics bottle caps, and catnip filled socks. Stay away from balls of string. Your cat may eat the string. And I highly recommend trying out a laser pointer! You'll see what I mean!
• Other items include a brush, nail clippers, catnip (dried or fresh), cat grass. The aisles are full of things you can bring home to keep your feline entertained! Chat with our volunteers, I'm sure they can recommend something.

Once at home, allow your new cat some time to adjust to her new home. Bring her into an enclosed room and open the carrier. Let her poke her head out and explore. She may hide under the bed for a day or two, don't let that panic you! While she's getting used to her space, prepare her food and litter areas (food and litter should be separated by a considerable distance, in separate rooms if possible) and show her where they are. Be patient: She'll be queen of the house in no time. For more information in integrating cats into your home, visit PetFinder's articles on integrating cats with other cats or dogs, when Tom Meets Geri, and their articles for first-timers. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our volunteers with any questions or issues.

OK, that's it! If you're ready to come in, send us a note and tell us which cats you'd like to meet. A schedule of adoption fairs is available on the main page or you can arrange to come to our facilities in central Virginia.

I hope your family will have a long, happy relationship with your new family member.