The family brought Tiger home, but hadn’t prepared their house for him. When he saw their dog, he bolted, found a dark place and hid.

His new owner searched the house but couldn’t find him. That night he came out of his hiding place and found an open window with a torn screen....

His would-be owner knew there were predators in the area. She called Animal Control and posted signs around the neighborhood, but she knew there wasn't much chance.

She was right.

PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

This situation could have been avoided, and Tiger could have been integrated quickly and easily into his new home if the people who adopted him had made some preparations and taken precautions.

What are some of these preparations? What should you do before you bring a new cat home?

• Prepare the house to receive your new cat.

• Make sure your new cat’s medical needs are completely taken care of.

• Make sure your other cats are adequately protected from disease.

• Make sure you have on hand the things your cat will need.

• Know how to introduce your new cat to your live-in companions, children and other pets.

And perhaps most importantly:

• Prepare yourself beforehand for a good relationship with your new cat.

People who have never owned cats before don’t really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily – but is not a dog.

BONDING WITH YOU

Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they don’t always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who “picked them up” hoping to have acquired a new friend.

This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with.

PREPARE YOUR HOME

Adequate preparation of the home is vitally important. If your new cat panics when she is first introduced and finds a way to exit your house, she will do so. Remember, she does not know where she is and has no motivation to return.

MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES

In addition, there may be serious medical consequences to adopting a stray, both to your new kitty and to your existing cats. Inadequate medical examination and vaccination can be tragic for the new addition to your family...and have serious consequences to your existing cats.

Unless you know what you are doing, your attempt to bring home a new kitty could result in tragedy.

EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT

The bottom line is that no matter how many cats you have adopted, you still may not know what you are doing with THIS one.

In Part 3 we’ll discuss five things you need to consider before you adopt a new cat.