Credit - Diana Parkhouse - https://unsplash.com/@ditakesphotos

I am now on my fourth round of adopting a cat from a rescue shelter.

My first cat, many years ago, came from a litter that my neighbor's unspayed feral cat deposited on her porch one winter night, but since then I’ve adopted 3 adult cats.

Right now, I have one cat, but he needs a companion so I've decided to go back to my local shelter.

I think it’s the best way to find the right cat for you and you get the benefit of knowing that you’re saving a cat and not encouraging folks to allow their cats to have an unnecessary litter. That can be fine, but there are so many cats looking for a home that I prefer to suggest that there are enough already and you should go and find a fur-ever friend at your local shelter.

Anyway, as I’m about to rehome a fourth shelter cat, here are five things I’ve learned.

• Cats cost money

• Cats need your time

• Some cats need a pal

• You will need the vet

• You will need a petsitter!

Cats Cost Money

It's kind of obvious, but if you’re a first-time cat owner it’s possible that you haven't thought about the cost of having a cat in your life.

A pet insurance company recently came up with a figure of $634 per year or $53 every month as the cost of keeping a cat in your life (and that will double if you choose to have pet insurance, which is probably a very good idea).

This is made up of:

• Cat food - you need to buy something nutritionally sound and right for the life stage of your cat.

• Vet expenses - you’ll need to allow for routine veterinary care for things like checkups, flea treatments, and medication (as well as thinking about potential big-ticket costs if your cat gets ill or injured - so consider a monthly pet insurance payment of perhaps $25 to $50 per month).

• Essentials - you’ll probably need ongoing cat litter purchases and perhaps an annually renewed cat scratching post!

• Furniture and toys - some things will be a one-time cost, but if you are spoiling your cat, you’ll end up buying cat toys and special places for them to sleep - cat beds, window perches - and perhaps things like a water fountain, and so on.

At the outset of your cat adoption, there are a whole bunch of one-time costs.

Most shelters will expect you to pay them some kind of adoption fee, which can range from $50 to $150 (or a little more). The shelter may have had the cat spayed, but if not, that is a significant early cost with your vet running anything from $200 to $500.

Then you’ll need a litter tray, some kind of cat carrier, a scratching post (the first of many…), and some food bowls. If your cat is going to be allowed outdoors, you’ll want a collar and an id tag or even a microchip and you might need a catflap.

I think the first time I had a cat I would spend $100 plus in today’s money to get the essentials.

Cats Need Your Time

Credit - Bruce Kee - https://unsplash.com/@brucekee

Before you adopt a cat, please think about whether you will be able to give it the love, affection, and attention that an intelligent empathetic animal wants and deserves.

Of course, unlike dogs, you can leave your cat alone at home a lot (and they will generally just sleep), but all cats, and especially those that are very affectionate, are going to want time with you. That might be playing or just sitting on your lap, but you owe it to your cat to have that time to spend with them.

And, don’t forget that the average life expectancy of cats is about 15 years, so this is a long-term commitment.

Don’t forget to ask your roommates. If you share your home with non-family members, are they good with pets, and are they on board with you having a cat? Will they be helping out, even if it’s just with cuddles and playing with their new housemate?

One Cat or Two (or Three…)?

When you’re talking to the folks at the shelter ask them if the cat you’re thinking about taking home came from a home with more than one cat. Is your future kitty used to being with other cats? Does she like company?

Your shelter should know and find this out will make the transition of bringing your new adopted cat home much easier. If they will integrate better if they are part of a group then seriously consider having more than one cat.

It won’t be quite twice the cost (even pet insurance does better deals for several cats), and having several cats might feel like a leap if you’re new to cat-owning, but it can be extra special.

Often the shelter will have related cats (especially kittens) so you can adopt a pair of siblings rather than allowing them to be split up.

Get to a Vet

Vets have already been mentioned because you’re going to need one. But, don’t wait until there’s an emergency. Find one before you even collect your new fluffy housemate from the shelter. 

Ask any local friends for a recommendation. Don’t just think about finding the cheapest, but find one that cat owners rate.

A personal tip I found helpful is to choose a vet who runs two waiting rooms. Most folks will be bringing a cat or a dog and keeping them separate in different waiting rooms is helpful all around. It suggests a smart vet and keeps the kitty calm during their visits.

Your first visit to your vet might well be within a few weeks of getting your cat, for vaccinations, or even for the kitty to be spayed. Make sure you’ve planned ahead.

Petsitters Are a Must!

There will be times when you’re going to have to leave your cat alone. Trips that you can’t avoid and kitty can’t come with you.

On the one hand, your options are to take your cat to a cat hotel or cat kennel or have someone come to your house to care for them on the other.

That person could be a friend or, probably the best option, is to use a catsitter.

Now, I’m not going to say that a kennel is a bad option, but a petsitter is almost always a better call.

If you hire a NAPPS-approved petsitter, your cat stays at home in their normal environment and the professional pet sitter will stick to your feeding schedule (and medication if needed). They will be there should an emergency occur and, of course, you won’t need to impose on a friend or relative.

I’ve always used a pet sitter, even if I’m away just overnight, and have never regretted it.

Get to the Shelter!

You’re prepared.

These are the five things I wish I’d known and thought about before becoming a cat owner for the first time.

Just get to your local cat shelter and adopt the cat that makes your heart melt! Good luck.

About the Author

Sam Jones is a feline expert focusing on cat behavior, cat health, and cat care. She has lived with cats her entire life and has been writing about cats for as long as she can remember. She is currently a senior contributing editor at We Love Cats and Kittens.