Not quite.

Cats aren’t potted plants. They’re sensitive, intelligent, complex little beings with very real needs—physical, emotional, and environmental. Unlike dogs, who often bond quickly and eagerly with their humans, cats tend to be more sensitive to change and require a gentler approach to building trust. And the way you prepare your home for their arrival can have a huge impact on how they settle in and how your relationship blossoms over time.

Do Your Homework

Before adopting a cat, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, home environment, and the kind of feline companion you’re best suited for. Research the breed if you’re choosing a purebred, as different breeds have distinct energy levels, grooming needs, and personality traits. Think carefully about age, too—kittens are adorable, but they require patience, supervision, and plenty of time to burn off their wild energy. Adult cats may be more independent and settled, while seniors can be loving companions who simply want a warm lap and a bit of peace.

Whether you adopt from a shelter, a rescue, or a breeder, make sure you understand the cat’s background, temperament, and any known health issues. Ask questions and spend some time interacting before making your decision. This isn’t just about choosing a pet—it’s about forming a long-term bond. Sometimes, the best matches are made by chemistry, not checklists.

Creating a Cat-Ready Environment

Bringing a cat into your home means preparing more than just a food bowl and a litter box. Cats are sensitive to their surroundings, and their environment has a huge impact on their comfort, behavior, and well-being.

Start by choosing a safe, quiet space for your cat to adjust for the first few days. This might be a spare bedroom or a cozy corner where they won’t be overwhelmed by too much activity. Make sure they have access to fresh water, food, and a clean litter box right from the start.

Vertical space is important too. Cats feel more secure when they can observe their territory from above. Cat trees, shelves, or even a sturdy bookcase can provide ideal perching spots. Scratching posts are also a must—they help cats stretch, mark territory, and keep their claws healthy.

Lastly, think about stimulation. Toys, puzzle feeders, and window views keep indoor cats mentally engaged. A bored cat can quickly become a destructive one.

Cat-Proofing Your Home

Before your cat arrives, take a walk around your home with safety in mind. Tuck away electrical cords, secure loose wires, and make sure any small items (like hair ties or rubber bands) are out of reach—cats love to bat at and chew on these, and they can be dangerous if swallowed. Keep medications, cleaners, and other toxic substances behind closed cabinets or in high places they can’t access.

Be cautious with houseplants as well. Many common plants, like lilies, are toxic to cats. Check each plant and replace unsafe ones with cat-friendly alternatives.

Cats are curious and persistent, so take your time examining your space from their perspective. Block off tight spaces where they might get stuck or hide, and make sure windows have secure screens. Store plastic bags and strings safely out of reach, as these can pose serious hazards if chewed or swallowed—especially if you’re welcoming a kitten.

Secure breakables like vases, photo frames, and glass decor. Curious cats love to jump on shelves, and anything in their path might get knocked down.

Consider vertical territory here as well. If you don’t have a cat tree, clear a shelf or top of a cabinet that your cat can safely access. Cats love to climb and will feel more at ease if they have elevated spots of their own.

Must-Have Supplies

Before bringing your cat home, make sure you’re stocked with essentials:

• Litter box and scoop
• Cat litter (unscented is often best to start)
• Food and water bowls (preferably stainless steel or ceramic)
• High-quality cat food suited to their age
• Scratching post or pad
• Toys (wand toys, balls, and interactive toys)
• Bed or cozy blanket
• Carrier for safe travel
• Grooming tools like a brush and nail clipper

Understanding Scent and Territory

Cats rely heavily on scent to feel safe and establish familiarity. When you bring your cat home, avoid overwhelming them with too many new smells at once. Keep their space consistent for the first few days so they can gradually explore their new surroundings.

Let them rub on surfaces and mark their scent—it’s how they claim territory and settle in. Resist the urge to wash items they’ve laid on unless necessary; their scent is comforting and helps reduce stress.

Understanding Cat Behaviour

New cat owners are often surprised by feline behaviours that can seem aloof or confusing. It’s important to remember that cats aren’t small dogs—they communicate differently.

Slow blinking, purring, tail posture, and kneading are some of the ways cats express comfort, trust, or stress. Learn to observe and interpret their signals. A cat who hides at first isn’t rejecting you—it’s just adjusting. With patience and respect for their pace, trust will build over time.

 

As pet parents to three rescue cats from shelters (preceded by 10 others before them), we get a lot of questions about pet adoption. Whether from friends and family members or from readers, we always try to explain to potential adopters just why certain shelters do things the way they do.

Why do I have to fill out a lengthy application to adopt?

Shelters and rescues do extensive checks to ensure the safety of adopted animals. They don’t want to see a previously declawed cat turned loose outside with no defenses. Shelters want to ensure that your living situation—whether that’s a home you own or rent—is a good fit for the animal in terms of the dwelling itself, the members of your family, and your other animals.

Why does everyone in the household have to be present for adoption?

The whole family will be living with your new cat, right? Shelters want to make sure that everyone in the home is in agreement on this new arrival. Besides, the joy of selecting a new family member is a special event that you’ll want everyone to attend!

Can my cat visit with the cat I’m considering adopting?

Although in many cases, shelters will encourage—if not require—you to bring your dog to visit a new dog you’re considering adopting, the same does NOT hold true for cat adoption. Due to the potential for disease transmission — and the fact that introducing cats needs to be done carefully and over time — most will not allow you to bring your cat to meet a potential adoptee.

Why do I have to pay for the adoption?

Several people have asked us why municipal shelters charge fees of about $100 and sometimes more. Although $100 may seem like a big expenditure when compared with that “free” kitten you saw in an ad or one from your neighbor’s new litter, you are actually receiving several hundred dollars worth of services with the adoption fee.

Shelter cats have usually had a veterinary exam, shots appropriate for the cat’s age, FIV/FLV testing, deworming, microchipping, and, in most cases, spay and neuter services. Purchased separately, you’d be looking at about $380-$480 in services, depending on where you live and the gender of the cat.

Why are kittens more expensive than older cats?

It’s generally a matter of supply and demand. Kittens are cute; no one can deny it. That cuteness leads to increased demand which, in turn, can mean diminished demand for “older” cats, even ones just six months and older.

Why are these pets in a shelter? Do most of them have behavior problems?

The reasons that cats (and dogs) find themselves in shelters are as varied as the animals themselves. Reasons range from lost pets that are never claimed to deceased owners that died without a caregiver for their pets. Divorce, new babies, new boyfriends, a change in living situation (including foreclosed homes), and other reasons all come into play as well. Many, many animals in shelters are there through no fault of their own.

Every shelter does things a little bit differently. Don’t feel that you have to adopt on the first visit; feel free to go there and just check out the facility then return with the whole family when you have plenty of time to look around and get to know the cats as individuals. You’re planning for many years together so it pays to take your time with this very special decision!