Want To Adopt a Cat? What To Expect & How To Prep
Adopting a cat can be one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make. Here's how to get started, what to expect, & how to keep them safe for a lifetime of cuddles by your side!
Whether you’re looking to adopt a kitten or a grand-cat, adopting a cat can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make. But is it as easy as taking in one from a street alley and expecting everything to go smoothly? Not quite.
Because as it turns out, newly-adopted cats need time and effort to trust you enough to stick around. (Yes, even the little ones!) Meaning unless you’ve planned ahead, you might just end up dealing with a “lost cat” situation before you know it.
So in this post, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about adopting a cat – how to go about it, how much it might cost you, and how to create the safe, loving home environment your new buddy needs. (And what to do if you do come home to find them missing.) Let’s go!
Why adopt a cat?
Adopting a cat means giving a homeless animal a loving forever home. Plus, it’s one of the best ways to get the companionship and unconditional love you need. (Yes, even from cats. It’s a stereotype that they aren’t as demonstrative as dogs!)
- Besides, shelters are often overcrowded with cats of all ages, breeds, and personalities – all looking for a second chance. Why not with you?
- By adopting a shelter cat, you’d also be doing your part in supporting animal welfare and reducing overpopulation.
- Adopting a cat might even improve your health! Having one around can greatly reduce stress and feelings of loneliness.
But before you head to your local shelter, it’s a good idea to know what to expect when you’ve brought your newly-adopted cat or kitten home.
⚠️Aka, your cat’s tendency to hide away in an unfamiliar environment.1
Meaning if you’re expecting to bring your new cat home and they take to it like a fish to water…well, don’t say we didn’t warn you! Hiding is an instinctive behavior for cats. It’s how they feel safe. I.e., by snuggling into a “safe” spot from where they can survey their surroundings without being seen.
Which might be under your couch, bed, or a corner of your house…or outdoors, too far from safety.
Where, since they’re not 100% familiar with you and their “new” home, they might not be able to find their way back to you.
💡That’s where tracking your newly-adopted cat’s movements can be a lifesaver. And no, we don’t mean hovering over your cat 24/7.
Rather, it’s why cat parents around the world – just like you – are strapping GPS trackers to their buddies’ collars.
Because with your very own Tractive GPS, you can track your cat:
- In real-time,
- Over an unlimited range,
- While on vacation – or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription
All with just a glance at your phone.
So if you’re prepared to deal with at least a few months of trust-building and escape-proofing your home, here’s…
How to adopt a cat
Ready to bring home your new friend and help them adjust to living with you? Here’s how to get started – and what to expect in your journey.
Where can I adopt a cat?
In general, we’d always recommend looking for reputable cat adoption centers and shelters near you. These organizations usually include websites where you can filter by cats’ age, breed, gender, their previous family experience, whether they’re house-trained, and also whether they’re indoor or outdoor cats!
(So you know what to expect – and can set up a welcoming home environment for them based on their individual habits and temperament.)
Here are a couple of good choices when it comes to adopting a cat properly and ensuring their well-being once you’ve brought them home:
- Your local animal shelter or humane society, most of which usually have a whole bunch of cats ready for adoption.
- Cat-specific rescue organizations which focus on rehoming cats. These might also provide specialized care for cats of specific breeds, senior cats, or cats with special needs.
- Websites like Petfinder can help you search for adoptable cats near you, providing detailed profiles for each cat – including their temperament, health status, and adoption requirements.
How old do you have to be to adopt a cat?
Most shelters and rescues require an adopter to be at least 18 years old – but it might depend on the organization itself. Some might have stricter requirements (including your employment details).
So always make sure to check your organization’s specific requirements, including whether you need a parent or guardian to co-sign the adoption papers.
Because once the ink’s dried, you’re now legally responsible for your cat – and their safety and well-being are now entirely in your hands.
Should I adopt an adult cat or a kitten?
Generally, it depends on your time, energy, and resources. Kittens have different needs from adult cats – while adult cats might be a whole different ball game than, say, adopting a senior cat.
- Adult cats might be more accustomed to living with families, including other animals and children. So it’s possible they might be house-trained and adjust a (tiny) bit quicker than kittens.
- For kittens, however, be prepared to invest more time and energy in house-training them and helping them learn to adjust from scratch.
- Senior cats might seem more “chill” and low-maintenance – but they might also be more vulnerable to age-related health issues. Like, for example, cognitive decline, which might need extra vet attention.
Shelter and rescue staff are usually trained to care for cats and help ease your path in creating a stable home environment for your new adoptee. (Including figuring out your cat’s prior family experience, health issues, and more.)
Which is why it’s important to…
Visit as many adoption spots as you can
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of cats, visit the shelters to meet them. (And don’t skip out on this step, under any circumstances!)
It’s not enough if you’ve fallen in love with them at first sight. (Adoption websites aren’t Tinder, after all.) You’ve also got to ensure you’re adopting a cat that’s a good fit for your lifestyle, personality, and habits.
Your adoption center might require you to fill out an application form as well. We’d recommend you download this and bring along with you during your visit. This will help them find you a cat that might best fit your living situation and needs.
And once you’re at the shelter:
- Keep an eye out for the cats’ behavior, energy levels, and how they interact with you and other people.
- Some adoption centers recommend you bring your family along (or whoever you’re living with) to test out whether anyone’s allergic.2 (Though if someone’s got the case of sniffles, you could consider adopting a hypoallergenic cat breed instead.)
- Come prepared to answer questions about your living situation, previous pet experience, and how you plan to care for your newly-adopted cat.
Most importantly, though…
Don’t be fooled by any cuddliness or clinginess
Now you might be tempted to just grab the first friendly pair of kitten eyes you see and take them home with you. (And we feel you – we really do!)
But that’s why it’s so important to adjust your expectations about how your new little buddy might behave while at the shelter…and why they might suddenly take a U-turn once you’ve brought them home.
- While at the shelter, the cat you’re looking to adopt is in familiar territory. They’re around shelter staff they’re familiar with, other cats whose presence they tolerate, and the sights, sounds, and smells of “home.”
- Once you bring them to YOUR home, well…an unfamiliar environment can be stressful to anyone, including us humans!
Which is why you might find your newly-adopted cat:
- Hiding under beds or couches – or wriggling into tight spots around your house to “hide”
- Scratching up your doors or screens to be let “out” (no matter how well-fed or well cared for they are!)
- Caterwauling endlessly at all hours of the day
- …and dashing away through the first open door they see at the slightest chance.
⚠️ So don’t be fooled by how cuddly or clingy any of the cats you interact with at the shelter are.
Every cat is an individual – so some might be as confident in a new environment as any other.
But it’s always a good idea to plan ahead for a howling, stressed-out new adoptee desperately trying to claw their way out of a crate or run away from home – through no fault of your own!
Get your new cat (and shelter staff) to do a home visit
Any good adoption centre worth its salt will suggest you arrange a home visit. This isn’t just so they can snoop around a bit to check if your home is suitable for a cat. Rather, a home visit is a great way for them to share some expert tips and advice on how you can build a loving, welcoming home environment for your new buddy.
Like for example:
- What food and toys to keep along,
- What kind of sleeping space your cat might need,
- A comfy “hiding” spot for when your cat needs a little alone time from the stress of settling in.
A home visit is also an opportunity to socialize your cat to their new home environment. Start slow and let them explore each space, bit by bit, at their own pace.
- Don’t force an interaction, like picking them out of their crate to get them outside. Rather, let your new cat venture out when they’re comfortable.
- Avoid a home visit on days you’ve got a ton of guests over, like Christmas or Sunday roast. This is a great way to ensure your new cat will end up scratching the life out of anyone who tries to hold them!
Some adoption centers might arrange 2-3 home visits so your cat can grow accustomed to their new “home.”
When everyone’s convinced it might be a good fit, it’s time to pay your adoption fees and bring home your new little buddy!
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Depending on how old your newly adopted cat is, plus factors like their breed, health, and other services – your adoption fees might range from $39-$317 (according to the Animal Humane Society.)3
In some cases, you might be charged an administrative fee for all adoptions, ranging from $5-$22. (Covering some of the costs incurred by processing the adoption.) But besides that, your adoption fees uusally cover:
- Basic veterinary care, including a general physical examination by trained medical staff.
- Vaccinations, including against rabies.
- Medications
- Microchipping in some cases
- Surgeries, including getting your cat spayed or neutered, if necessary
- A return period
In some cases, your adoption centre might also throw in a free collar and ID tag to help make your cat easy to identify. (Which can be a lifesaver if they get lost!)
And that’s just your initial costs. Your ongoing adoption costs might include:
- Food and water supplies, including high-quality durable bowls and vet-approved cat food options.
- A litter box for your cat
- Scratching posts and toys to keep your new buddy occupied
- Comfortable bedding where your cat can sleep safely
- A carrier, which will come in handy when you’re out driving your cat to the vet or on other trips
So once you’ve got all these set up, here are our…
Tips to help your new cat adjust to their new “home”
Now some cats might take to a new environment with ease – or seemingly be “fine” once you bring them home. But don’t let your guard down! These initial few days, weeks, or even months are crucial to help them settle in and understand that this is their new “home.” (And nope, they aren’t allowed to go back to their older familiar environment.)
So for these first few months or so, bear in mind that a newly-adopted cat might be highly anxiety-prone. (Even if they seem perfectly nonchalant otherwise.)
⚠️ Which means they’re likely to hide, run away from you, or even escape from home. They may not be 100% familiar or comfortable with their new environment yet, even if they’ve made some home visits.
So it helps to…
Keep your cat indoors – at first
In general, animal welfare experts recommend keeping newly-adopted adult cats indoors for around 3-4 weeks.4 (Though this can depend on your cat’s individual temperament – a shyer cat might need a bit longer.) Kittens, on the other hand, are better off indoors for 6-8 weeks.
Why is this the case? Because when you keep them indoors, it encourages your cat to get accustomed to and adapt to their new environment as “home.”
So make sure to:
- Watch out for any open doors or windows to prevent an escape.
- A sturdy fly screen can also help create an extra barrier – but do watch out for your cat clawing through them!
- Make sure your cat has enough toys and treats around the house to keep them occupied. (So they’re too distracted with their indoors to want to escape outdoors.)
- Spend plenty of time with your new cat to help them get used to you (and not the shelter staff they’re otherwise accustomed to.)
💡And if you’ve got a new adoptee wriggling into some hard-to-escape spot indoors, your trusty Tractive device has you covered.
Besides GPS, yours also comes equipped with Bluetooth tracking – so you can quickly and easily locate your cat indoors at short-range.
Meaning you can prevent your cat from scampering into some risky indoors hiding spot, like:
- A washer or dryer
- Your crawlspace, attic, or basement
- A too-snug cupboard or cabinet
- Or even your house rafters!
Set up a specific “safe spot” for your cat at home
Besides keeping your cat indoors, experts recommend actually keeping your new cat in one room for a few days.5
Now we know this might sound cruel – why limit their freedom this way? But as it turns out, sticking to one room can actually help your new cat:
- Establish their bearings and figure out what counts as their “territory”
- Get used to relieving themselves with some privacy – especially if you’ve set up their litter tray nearby (but a little away from your cat’s food, water, and sleeping area)
- Hide away to feel “safe”, which is 100% normal and even healthy during the first few days of you bringing them home. A box-like space (or even just a box) can help them feel this sense of security.
Make sure this is a quiet, well-ventilated spot a little away from the rest of your family. It should also ideally include:
- Your cat’s food and water bowls (each a little away from each other)
- Their toys – especially some scratching posts and vertical perches
- A bed with a comfy blanket from the shelter, so its scent helps your cat feel more relaxed.
- “Cat-proofed” furniture, meaning you’ll have to remove any dangerous cords, wires, curtain rods, or anything your new cat could end up chewing or tangled in. (Including plants that are poisonous to cats.)
- Also keep an eye out for sharp, easily breakable objects, like Christmas decorations or your Halloween fairy lights.
Allow your cat to explore your home gradually
After a couple of days in “their” space, it’s a good idea to let your cat gradually explore your house, room by room. This can help avoid overwhelming them with this sudden, new, “big” environment they’re now in!
Besides your house, take any introductions day by day – especially to your other housemates (like your kids, partner, or roommates) and other pets.
- Ideally, they should have had some opportunity to interact during their initial home visits, but gradual introductions and interaction can help your new adoptee adjust to them easier.
- Initially, you want to be the one feeding your cat and playing with them more so. But gradually, stick around while one of your kids or a housemate feeds or plays with your cat instead – to help your new buddy get used to them.
- Never force an interaction, especially if your cat is on the more timid side. Meeting so many new people and exploring so many new spaces can be overwhelming – even scary!
- Make sure to take your cat back to their “safe space” if you notice them uncomfortable or in distress.
With time, this will help your cat fall into the rhythm of a predictable, established routine – which can majorly help them relax, feel secure, and accept their new environment (and their fellow housemates) as “home.”
💡Pro safety tip: set up a Power-Saving Zone indoors to help you cut down on your trusty Tractive device’s battery usage as you track your cat from one room to another.
This means your cat’s tracker will immediately use less battery once it detects it’s in a trusted network, like your home WiFi.
Plus with your very own Tractive Base Station, you can set up a Power-Saving Zone wherever you go!
Supervise your cat’s outdoor time
Now you might notice your cat eyeing the outdoors, sitting on window sills to observe the surrounding neighborhood – or even caterwauling up a storm, demanding to be let outdoors. So when it comes to a newly-adopted cat, it helps to allow them some outdoors time as well – gradually and under supervision.
Yes, your cat is (usually) safest indoors. But at the same time, being cooped up indoors all day is also a great way to end up with a bored, anxious, or stressed-out cat at home that’s now clawing your curtains or carpets, peeing outside their litter box, or refusing to eat or interact.
So start slow and stick around while your cat explores:
- Your balcony, which you can cat-proof by setting up mesh or fiber coverings to prevent them from slipping off.
- Your backyard, which is a great place for some outdoors playtime – and letting your cat scratch a nearby tree instead of your latest IKEA masterpiece.
- Your neighborhood, with you taking them along, of course. (At least initially.) Introducing your new buddy to your neighbors is a great way to make you both familiar faces around town.
- With time, even a local park – if you’ve got an active cat at home that loves to stick its nose just about everywhere. Cats can and do take quite well to collars, leashes, and even harnesses, if you’re thinking about getting yours used to walks!
⚠️But as your cat longs for the outdoors, it also makes sense to escape-proof your home and backyard.
Which, well, you could do by setting up outdoor cameras or an expensive, cumbersome physical fence.
(Or, you know, hovering over your cat 24/7 – which you know isn’t sustainable over time.)
💡So why not try a Virtual Fence instead for a change?
In under 5 minutes setup time, you can mark out a “safe zone” around your home perimeter on your Tractive mobile app.
Which means as long as your cat stays within the safe zone, your trusty Tractive GPS will continue to monitor their location – and update it on your phone every few minutes.
And the minute your cat catches sight of a squirrel or gets spooked by a loud sound in your neighborhood – and tries to run past the safe zone?
Your tracker sends you an escape alert, so you can intervene right away.
Ready to set up a loving forever home for your new adoptee?
With these tips you’ll be well-set to adopting a cat with ease – with all your planning and prep done in advance.
Just be sure to:
- Pick a reputable adoption centre, like your local animal shelter or rescue organization. These usually include detailed profiles of the cats they’re fostering, including their age, breed, health status, habits, and temperament.
- Adopt a cat that might be a good fit for your living situation at present. For example, do you have the time and energy to house-train a kitten or take a senior cat for frequent vet visits? Keep these factors in mind when deciding what kind of cat to adopt.
- Visit the adoption centre to interact with the cats and get an idea of their temperament. Don’t be fooled by any cuddling or clinging, though! This is simply how cats might behave when in a “familiar” environment.
- Schedule a home visit to slowly introduce your new cat to their potential new “home.” Your shelter staff can provide you important tips on how to create an enriching home environment for your new buddy.
And once you’ve got your heart set on a cat and are bringing them home…
- Set up your cat’s “safe space” with their own food, water, litter, and sleeping areas. Ensure they’ve got plenty of toys and treats and a “hiding space” to keep them occupied. Experts recommend you keep your new cat in this room for 2-3 days.
- Slowly let your cat explore your house, room by room – and roommate by roommate. The slower the better, since meeting too many people (or exploring too many spaces) can be quite overwhelming for a new cat!
- Supervise your cat’s outdoor time. They’ll be demanding it soon enough – but practically any sight, sound, or smell can trigger their anxiety, prey drive, or “flight” instinct. So make sure you’re around to prevent a runaway attempt and bring them back to safety.
The number one thing to keep in mind: Your cat’s tendency to hide
No matter how much of a cuddle bug they might’ve been at the shelter, adopting a cat means having to deal with their tendency to go MIA the first few days of bringing them home.
Which could be under a piece of furniture – like your bed – or somewhere riskier indoors, like a washer or cupboard. (Where they can’t wriggle free.)
Or, even worse, somewhere outdoors where there’s no end to the dangers they might face from passing cars, other animals, poisonous plants, pet thieves, and more.
💡Which is where, besides getting them used to a collar (and, ideally, your shelter having gotten them microchipped) a cat GPS tracker can be a lifesaver.
Because imagine the relief and peace of mind from knowing you can track your cat in an instant – with just a glance at your phone?
Know everywhere your cat goes
See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far from home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you. Track sleep and activity.
So, start your adoption journey today and give your cat the loving home they deserve.
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
