Community Corner

Make Your Home Ready for an Adopted Cat

Here's how to introduce a new cat from a local shelter to those already at home.

Cats don't always play nice, and if you plan to make introductions, there are some ways of making sure your new friend get along along with those you already have in your home.

According to Petfinder.com, the best way to keep the flying fur to a minimum is to adopt a cat that's younger, smaller and of the opposite gender to the cat already ensconced at home.

That's not always possible, so the best way to ease the transition for all involved is to set up a separate room for the new cat, complete with litter box, food and water dishes. The new cat wll spend a few days in the room, your old cat becomes familiar with the scent and fact that there's a new cat in the house.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Once your cat isn't showing much interest or concern about the new cat, it's time for a face-to-face meeting. Use a child-proof gate, or block the door to the new cat's room open just an inch or two—enough for visual contact and a better chance to get to know each other.

If any of the cats we've featured this week look like they would be a good match for you (and maybe the feline already in your life) contact the rescue groups below for more information.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lifeline Animal Rescue, Inc. is located at 16 Mount Bethel Road, in Warren. To inquire about their dogs, send an email to LifelineInfo@aol.com

Companion Animal Placement (CAP-Hillsborough) is located at 329 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough. Reach them by email at  munchie329@AOL.COM

Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater, can be reached at 908-725-0308, or by email to  SRAS.mail@verizon.net (The shelter is offering no fee cat adoptions this month).

St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, located in Branchburg, can be reached at 908-526-3330 or by email to charrington@sthuberts.org.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here