You've done the kitchen-table check, and you're pretty sure you're ready to find your furry match. Brilliant.
Here's the thing you may not realise on the day you adopt: the cat you bring home is not the cat you'll have in a month. Most rescue cats arrive looking shell-shocked and confused (you would too, if someone bundled you into a carrier and drove you to a new house full of strangers). Give them time, and the real personality starts to emerge.
The 3-3-3 rule is a handy way to set expectations.
The first 3 days: decompression
This is the "where on earth am I" and "who are these people around me" phase. Your new cat is probably hiding under the bed, behind the couch, or wedged behind the washing machine. They might not eat much. They might not use the litter tray on day one. They might glare at you a lot.
All of this is normal. Keep things calm and quiet. No visitors, no parties, no introducing them to the dog yet. If you have kids, this is a great moment for a chat about whispering and not chasing.
Set them up in one room with everything they need, and let them come to you when they're ready.
The first 3 weeks: settling in
By week two or three, you'll start seeing glimpses of who they actually are. The cat who spent three days under the bed might be sprawled across the back of the couch by week three, demanding belly rubs from anyone walking past.
This is when routines lock in. Same feeding times, same play sessions, same general rhythms. Cats love a routine even more than your average uni student.
Slowly introduce other pets if you have them, and gently expand their territory beyond the safe room.
The first 3 months: feeling at home
By month three, your cat genuinely lives here. They know where the food bowl is, they know which couch is theirs, and they've worked out exactly which window catches the afternoon sun.
This is when the bond really cements. If something seems off (eating, toileting, hiding away again) this is the moment to call the vet. Most adjustment issues sort themselves out, but the occasional one needs a hand.
A word from Susan, Vet and founder of Hills Kitty Rescue
"The single biggest mistake new adopters make is rushing. Cats are not dogs. They don't want a tour of the whole house on day one. Give them a small, safe space, let them come out when they're ready, and you'll have a confident, affectionate cat much faster than if you try to force it."
Dr Susan Powell, Hills Kitty Rescue & Box Hill Vet Clinic
Your "before they come home" checklist
You don't need a department store's worth of gear. You do need the basics set up before you walk in the door with a slightly nervous cat in a carrier.
The essentials (which you can pick up on the day from Kellyville Pets)
- Cat carrier (for the trip home and future vet visits)
- Litter tray plus litter and litter scoop (ideally one tray per cat, plus one extra)
- Food and water bowls, including two weeks' worth of the food they're already eating (sudden food changes upset tummies)
- Tick, flea and heartworm treatments
- A scratching post or two (at least one tall enough for a full stretch)
- A bed or soft blanket
-
At least one "hiding spot" (a covered bed, igloo, or cardboard box on its side does the job)
Nice to have on day one
- A small variety of toys (a wand toy, a couple of crinkle balls, a small soft toy)
- Grooming products including a brush or comb suited to their coat
- Treats for bond-building (used sparingly)
- A collar with a tag carrying your phone number
Set up before they arrive
- Choose the "safe room" (a quiet spare room, study or even the bathroom works)
- Cat-proof it: remove lilies and other toxic plants, secure loose cords, close gaps behind appliances and washing machines
- Book a vet check-in for the first couple of weeks
- Update the microchip details once the cat is officially yours
- Have a think about pet insurance before you need it
- Tell the family the ground rules: safe room is quiet time, no picking up, let the cat come to you
Come and chat with our expert cat care team and we will get you sorted with the essentials and anything else you may need.
