Adoption Resources

Resource Guide Handout

Adoption Resource Guide

Helping Your New Cat Settle In

Congratulations on adopting from Pet Haven! Bringing home a new cat is exciting, but it is also a big transition. This guide is designed to help you create a safe, comfortable, and successful start for your new family member. Every cat adjusts at their own pace, but many cats follow a general transition timeline.

The 3-3-3 Transition Guide

First 3 Days: Decompress

Your cat may hide, eat less, sleep more, or seem unsure. This is normal.

How to help:

  • Start your cat in a quiet room

  • Provide food, water, litter, and hiding spots nearby

  • Keep the environment calm

  • Let your cat approach you when ready

  • Avoid forcing interaction

First 3 Weeks: Build Routine

Your cat may begin exploring, playing, and showing more personality.

How to help:

  • Keep feeding and cleaning routines consistent

  • Offer toys, scratching posts, and enrichment

  • Continue providing hiding places

  • Introduce new spaces gradually

  • Reward confident behavior with treats or play

First 3 Days: Decompress

Your cat may begin to fully settle in and show their true personality.

How to help:

  • Continue regular play and enrichment

  • Maintain veterinary care

  • Respect your cat’s preferences

  • Keep routines predictable

  • Be patient with setbacks

Proper Introductions

Introducing Cats to Cats

Go slowly. Successful introductions often take days or weeks.

Steps:

  1. Keep cats separated at first

  2. Exchange bedding or toys to share scents

  3. Feed on opposite sides of a closed door

  4. Allow short, supervised visual introductions

  5. Gradually increase time together

Never force cats to meet face-to-face before they are ready.

Go slowly. Successful introductions often take days or weeks.

Introducing Cats to Dogs

Start with safety and control.

Tips:

  • Keep the dog leashed during early introductions

  • Give the cat escape routes and vertical space

  • Reward calm behavior

  • Keep early meetings short

  • Never allow chasing

Setting Up a Safe Room

A safe room helps your cat adjust without feeling overwhelmed.

Include:

  • Food and water

  • Litter box

  • Comfortable bedding

  • Hiding place

  • Scratching post

  • Toys

  • Carrier with soft bedding

Keep the room quiet and allow your cat to explore at their own pace.

Litter Box Basics

How Many Litter Boxes?

A good rule is: Number of cats + 1

Examples:

  • 1 cat = 2 litter boxes

  • 2 cats = 3 litter boxes

  • 3 cats = 4 litter boxes

Placement Tips

Place litter boxes:

  • In quiet, accessible locations

  • On each level of the home

  • Away from food and water

  • Away from loud appliances

  • In areas where your cat will not feel trapped