How to Help Transition a Kitten From a Shelter to a Home

Welcoming a shelter kitten into your home can be a generous and rewarding experience. Many shelters still use euthanasia to help control feline overpopulation, so by adopting a shelter kitten you are saving a life. However, keep in mind that shelter kittens have already been through a traumatic experience. They may have been separated from their mother and siblings at an early age and they are usually very frightened and confused. Adopting a shelter kitten requires patience and commitment. By taking the proper steps you can ensure that your shelter kitten has a smooth transition into its new home.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet carrier
  • Blanket
  • Litter box
  • Cat litter
  • Cat toys
  • Kitten food
  • Bowls
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy your shelter kitten a proper little box, scoop and litter. A better type of litter is the clay-based scooping kind because it will help keep the litter box odor-free and encourage her to use the box. Make sure you situate the litter box in a location where your kitten will find it easily.

    • 2

      Purchase the proper type kitten food. Kitten food is very important since it provides the proper nutrients. Don't use adult cat food. Avoid the use of generic or store-brand kitten food since they can contain ingredients that are not easily digestible for kittens.

    • 3

      Bring the shelter kitten home. Don't just place the kitten into the back seat of your car or in a cardboard box. Make sure you have a proper carrying device. Your shelter kitten will be very scared and you do not want to take the risk of the kitten escaping in your car while you are driving. Put a fluffy towel or soft blanket in the carrier.

    • 4

      Introduce your kitten to members of his new family slowly and one at a time. Until your shelter kitten feels secure in its new home you do not want to take a chance of frightening him and causing further trauma. Let your children know that kittens are not toys. Never allow children to handle the kitten roughly or pull its tail.

    • 5

      Play with your new kitten and provide plenty of toys and distractions. Soft squishy balls and catnip-filled toys can entertain your shelter kitten for hours. If your shelter kitten plays throughout the day she is less likely to make noise at night.