Adoption Information

ADOPTING A KITTEN OR CAT.

When adopting a cat or a kitten there are a number of things that you need to do in order to make the adoption go as smoothly as possible.  

SHORT NOTES 

Security and settling in

The first 24 hours are the most important for your new pet.   The next 24 hours are the next most important!!!   After this time, s/he should be beginning to settle in and getting used to his or her new family. Please do not leave your new cat or kitten outside until three weeks are passed as they need to get used to their new home.

     ·        Make sure doors and windows are closed.

·        If the kitten is nervous, and hides, let him come out in his own time, or entice him with food or a toy.

·        His bed should be in a quite secure place, away from doors.

·        Let him get used to the sounds and smells of his new home

·        Any open fireplace should be blocked off, as cats have been knows to climb up chimneys for somewhere to hide, (they do come down in their own time, but bring a lot of soot with them!) 

·        Please be especially careful of  WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS.  Never leave them open.  Cats find such places irresistible, often with disastrous results.

·        Show your new pet its litter tray, which should be put a bit away from where the food and water bowls are (fresh water should be available at all times).  

·        Small children should be supervised, and not allowed to pick the cat up or disturb it whilst sleeping – it may scratch in fear if startled, and growing kittens especially, need their sleep.

Some worm preparations are:

By Mouth

• Parazole – gentle liquid wormer – kittens get three consecutive small doses based on weight

• Drontal – tablet – not palatable and needs some experience to administer it.  Cats will not eat it when crushed.

• Milbemax –  different sized tablets for cats and kittens – palatable and will be eaten in food.

Spot on drops

• Stronghold or Advocate – covers roundworms, fleas, ear mites.

Flea Treatments:

• Stronghold and Advocate spot on also kill fleas and other external parasites

• Frontline spray.   This is suitable for kittens as young as 3 days old.

New products become available from time to time, please ask your vet for further advice.

Diet

·        Vets advise that a good quality dried food is better for their teeth, and certainly it is cleaner and stays fresher than “wet” food.  However, if this means a change in the cat or kitten’s diet, this change should be slowly carried out over a week or so.

·        It is better not to give any milk especially to adult cats.   Most cats have an intolerance of lactose and this will also cause diarrhoea.   Fresh water should be available at all times.

 Grooming

·        Longhaired cats need daily grooming with a suitable brush to prevent fur balls and matting –start gently and combine this with playtime and treats.

The “Great Outdoors”

·        Keep your cat or kitten in for a minimum of at least three weeks – if they get out before that time they will simply decide to go home, and get lost.

·        Supervise the first few outings and keep them short.   The best time for this is in the morning, BEFORE he is due to be fed, as this will give puss a reason to return quickly when it hears a familiar food rattle.  

·        Any collar should have a quick-snap buckle rather than elastic.   Attach a small tag with your address and phone-number, or write this on the space provided, and/or have the cat microchipped.

·        DON’T PANIC if he decides to investigate next door’s garden.  Encourage him back with a toy, a bootlace, or titbit. He will come back when he’s tired or hungry, but this takes longer if he has been frightened.

·        Cats love to be out at night.   However, this is the high danger time for road traffic accidents, and pet stealing.   Please do not put a cat risk by allowing it out after dark, or during rush-hours.   It is better to keep puss in at night, than to lose a much loved pet.

     ·        Kittens should not be allowed outside until all vaccinations have been completed.

Play

·        A scratching post and toys, especially catnip mice and ping-pong balls will help keep him occupied, especially if he is on its own all day.   You could also consider getting a companion kitten – two kittens are four times as much fun as one.

Health

·        Please get your pet is vaccinated against cat flu and feline infectious enteritis and clymidia, if this has not already been done.    

·        Kittens should be neutered when they are five months old.  In the height of the summer female kittens can become pregnant at this age.  Females can have 4 litters in a year.  Tom cats can father a litter every night!!!

·        If  your cat is lethargic, won’t eat or drink, and won’t play, chances are that it has a high temperature, and should get immediate veterinary attention.

·        Regularly worm your cat every 3 months. (kittens every 3 weeks until they reach 6 months)

·        Regularly de-flea your cat with a product advised by your veterinary surgeon

·        Make sure you keep up with annual booster injections

·        Make sure any collar is safe and can snap off if puss gets it caught, and has up to date ID

·        Make sure that your cat is neutered at 5 months, as there are far too many unwanted cats

·        Check to make sure that ears are clean, and use a proprietary ear cleaner and cotton wool (NOT cotton buds!!) to clean them

  Above all, give your cat plenty of love and affection, and they will reward you with life-long companionship and affection.  

 MORE DETAILED NOTES

SECURITY

The cat/kitten needs to feel safe and therefore needs to be in a secure and quiet room when it first gets to its new home.

A cat/kitten has to be kept indoors for a minimum of 3 weeks.

The reason for this is simple: it will take the cat/kitten time to get used to new voices and smells and learn to respond when called. It is very unwise to let a cat/kitten outside before the animal gets familiar with its new owners because it will get lost and may never be seen again.

Doors and windows have to be kept closed in whichever room the pet is in or it will get out. If a cat/kitten does get out don’t panic. Don’t chase the cat/kitten. Quietly call it and if you have a piece of string or ribbon try to get it to play with it and lead the pet back inside. If the pet hides from you and cannot be brought inside for the night make sure that some cat food is left outside for it to feed during the night.

NIGHT TIME

All pets need to be kept indoors at night. Many cats get killed at night.

Carriers for security
All cats and kittens should always be transported in a secure travel carrier.
This ensures that your pet does not escape. There are many available to choose from and these vary in price. Sunbeam vets in Blackpool are selling cat carriers with metal doors for the very very good price of €13.50 each. If interested in whether they have them in stock please ring 021 4391600 (posted 29th March 2011) 

FOOD

• Kittens need to be fed kitten nuts as these will be the correct size for their little teeth. Also there are many varieties of wet food for kittens and cats. Felines must have meat in their diet to help them produce an essential amino acid that they cannot produce on their own.Most commercial cat foods are well balanced and have all the essential vitamins' and  minerals.
• MILK : Vets advise that cats can be very intolerant of lactose in milk, and it is best to give them water only to drink.

LITTER

Cats use a litter box for their "bathroom".
Young kittens can learn to use their litter tray from their owners very quickly. There are many different types of litter available today. The tray needs to be cleaned at least one a day. It is important to maintain clean habits such as frequent litter changes or cleanings, not only for the cats health, but also your own. Used litter contains many bacteria that can be harmful, especially to pregnant women. So it is important to wash your hands well after cleaning litter boxes or handling used litter.
Remember, a cat steps into its litter box, so keep it clean. Cats "bury" their waste products in the litter. This action is a carry-over from in the wild, as it was a way to hide the cats presence from other animals. It is important that the size be large enough to allow kitty plenty of room for it to do its business. The box should not be over filled as many kittens and cats like to dig down till they reach the bottom of the tray. For cleaning, a large scoop works best, the type that have slots in the spoon bottom for loose litter to fall through. A litter scoop is very necessary to help you clean the soiled and wet litter out of the litter tray.
One which is curved and shaped like a shovel is better than a flat one. Two litter trays are usually the best so that one is always clean. Large litter trays are suitable for kittens and as they grow fast it will be money well spent from the beginning.

Litter should never be flushed down the toilet.  

Neutering

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Cat:

Do I have time for a cat?

Cats require time and attention every day and may become destructive, withdrawn, or depressed if they are left alone for too long. If you work extremely long hours or are out of town frequently this might not be the best time for you to adopt a cat. Often people who work full time will adopt two cats together, so they can keep each other company while their humans are away.

Do I have money for a cat?

The cost of caring for a cat will vary. This includes the annual vet visit and vaccinations and food and litter. Medical emergencies or extra treats will cost more.  

Do I have a stable home environment for a cat?

Every cat deserves a secure home environment, and most cats prefer a quiet place without much change. For this reason a house with a lot of noise or constantly changing roommates may not be ideal for a cat.

Do I fully understand the responsibilities involved in caring for a cat?

Cats can live as long as 15 to 20 years and will require daily care throughout their entire lives. Are you ready to make this kind of commitment? Responsibilities include feeding your cat and cleaning her litter box daily.

Do I have the patience and perseverance to work through any difficulties that might arise?

Nearly all problems can be solved if the caretaker is patient and flexible. For example, behavioural problems like scratching and inappropriate soiling can sometimes be solved by switching litters, buying a different type of litter box, or providing a scratching post. In other cases it will take time and gradual training to help your cat through these difficulties. People who are not willing to put some time and effort into caring for their cats should not adopt.

How will other family members, my spouse or significant other feel about this cat?

All family members should be involved in choosing and caring for a cat. Too many people abandon their cats because their husband, daughter, or mother doesn’t like the cat. Others decide to begin having children and drop their cat off at the shelter. So everyone in the household must be committed to caring for this cat throughout her life. All family members should respect the cat and agree not to hit her, physically punish her for misbehaviour, or mistreat her in any way.

Do I consider this cat an important member of my family?

Cats are not toys or house plants. They require love, attention, and care. Cats cannot simply be shut away in one room of a house. Cats cannot be ignored just because their caretakers are busy. Cats enjoy just being around their human families, even just sitting nearby while they are watching TV.

Who will take care of this cat in the event of an emergency?

Make plans now for who can care for your cat in the event of an emergency, or if you go out of town for business or vacation. You may rely on relatives or you can trade off cat-sitting with a neighbour who also has cats. In some cases you may choose to board your cat at your vet’s office or with a reputable pet kennel. Always investigate boarding places carefully; you don’t want to leave your cat somewhere she might be neglected.

Am I planning to move any time in the next few years?

Moving is the number one reason people cite for giving up their cats. If moving might be a possibility for you, ask yourself if you are really ready to make a commitment to a cat. If you’d still like to adopt, start making a plan now for how both you and your cat can move safely and happily.

If you’ve answered all of these questions and feel that you are ready for both the rewards and responsibilities of caring for a cat, congratulations.

Cork Cat Action Trust registered charity number C.H.Y. 18345