Home Trial & Adoption

Home Trial

All of our adoptions are subject to a home trial to make sure the kitties are a good fit for your home and vice versa. It can take about a week for kitties to start to feel comfortable in a new environment, but if a longer home trial is needed we’re happy to accommodate. We very much want to make sure everyone has as much time as they need to settle in before making an adoption decision. To make adoption more accessible, we do not require an adoption fee. If you would like to make donation it would make a world of difference for our small all-volunteer rescue and the kittens who depend on us.

To prepare for the home trial you’ll need you new pet’s supplies. At a minimum:

Kitties
Litter box (Two for pairs): Most of our kitties are familiar with pine, grass seed and world’s best litter.
Litter
Food (kitten specific if under one year and wet food is recommended): Most of our kitties are familiar with Nulo, Purina and Royal Canin food brands.
Toys
Bed
Carrier (must bring with you for pick up)

Pups
Collar
Leash
Bed
Chew toys
Food (puppy specific if under one year)
Bowls,
Crate and/or baby gate

Pick up for home trial will be from one of our volunteer’s homes. We ask that you be extremely respectful of their time, which means being on time or letting them know if you will be running late or need to reschedule well in advance.

Spay/Neuter

No adoptions will be finalized until the animal is spayed/neutered. If your new pet is not spay/neutered at the time of the home trial we will coordinate to have you bring them in to one of the vet clinics we utilize for sterilization within the first 2-4 weeks. You may not bring them in for sterilization anywhere else even at your own expense. If you would like to make a donation towards your new pet’s spay/neuter you can do so on our donate page.

What to expect when your new pet arrives home

Bringing a new pet into your home can be quite stressful for them and your resident pets. Due to the stress of moving to a new environment, it is very common that your new kitty may break out with an upper respiratory infection and accompanying eye infection. These typically pass without issue within 5-7 days, but it is important to monitor their intake and outtake of food and water to make sure they are eating/drinking normally during this adjustment period. It is also very common for them to experience diarrhea with any kind of stress or change in environment. Please allow plenty of space and time for your new pet(s) to settle in and do your best to maintain a calm stress-free environment. Any concerning issues that arise should be addressed by promptly by your vet.

Introducing to resident pets:

Home trials are especially important when there are other pets in the home. We recommend reading as much as you can about introducing new pets so you don’t feel defeated if they don’t accept each other at first. Slow introductions are always best. For kitties expect that there will be growling, hissing, hiding etc. All of that is very normal behavior when introducing strange kitties to one another and to other pets so don’t be discouraged. Time, space and patience are key. It often takes at least a week for animals to start to feel comfortable in a new environment with new animals so if a longer home trial is needed we’re happy to accommodate extensions. 

Parasites and other conditions:

Most of our kitties come from animal shelters or outdoors where they might have been exposed to parasites or fungal spores.  While we do our best to identify and treat all known conditions, it is important that you be observant, and take a fecal sample to your vet at your new pet’s initial wellness exam.

Below are some of the common parasites you might encounter:

Fleas – Tiny, wingless insects that live within your pet's fur.  Can be detected from the presence of flea dirt, which is the dried blood they eliminate after feeding on your animal.  Flea dirt is tiny dark specks that will turn red if you place them on a wet paper towel.

Roundworm/Hookworm/Whipworm – 3 types of intestinal worms that range from 1 to 4 inches long. Can be diagnosed by providing a stool sample to your vet and should be treated with dewormer provided by your vet at 2-3 week intervals.

Tapeworm – Long, flat segmented worms that can grow to great lengths. Can either be observed in a stool sample provided to your vet, or can be observed when small, rice-like segments break off and can be seen on feces or on the fur surrounding the cat’s rear end. Tapeworms are usually treated with a pill called Drontal, which your vet can prescribe.

Giardia – Microscopic parasites that attach themselves to the intestinal wall and cause foul-smelling diarrhea. The stool may range from soft to watery, often has a greenish tinge to it, and occasionally contains blood. Infected cats tend to have excess mucus in the feces. Vomiting may occur in some cases. Can be observed in a stool sample provided to your vet, and treated with either Panacur or Metronidazole, which your vet will be able to prescribe.

Coccidia – Tiny, single celled parasites that live in the intestine.  Found more frequently in kittens.  Symptoms include diarrhea. Can be treated with either Albon or Ponazuril, both of which your vet can prescribe.

Ear Mites - Tiny parasites that live out their life cycle mostly inside the ear canal. They are quite common, and can cause severe irritation and itchiness of the ears.  If your cat or kitten has discharge in their ears that looks like coffee grounds they might have ear mites.  Your vet will be able to confirm by looking at a sample under a microscope and will be able to prescribe ear drops that will help to eliminate them.

Ringworm – A fungal infection of the skin that causes hair loss and reddish flaky skin in a circular pattern. Usually observed on the face/ears, and feet. Your vet will be able to visually diagnose, or will do a fungal culture on the fur. There are numerous treatments for ringworm including oral meds, medicated baths, and topical creams. Keeping the environment clean of spores is important in curing your cat or kitten of ringworm. It’s important to note that ringworm does not affect your cat’s health and is only troublesome because it is annoying.

FIV/FELV

We do not routinely test our cats and kittens for FIV and FeLV. You can read more about why routine testing is not recommended here.

What are FIV and FELV?

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus):  A complex retrovirus that causes immunodeficiency disease in domestic cats. Immunodeficiency is the medical term used to describe the body’s inability to develop a normal immune response.  Most infected cats do not show symptoms and have normal life expectancy; however they are prone to developing other infections and certain types of cancer. FIV is not highly transmissible and FIV+ cats can cohabitate with FIV- cats as long as they are introduced properly.

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus): A retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV is not highly contagious but can be transmitted over periods of prolonged exposure from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can cause diseases which can be lethal. One disease caused by this virus is a form of cancer of the blood cells called Lymphoma (a leukemia).

Vaccinations

All of our cats and kittens come vaccinated with age appropriate vaccines. Due to the amount of time we have had your kitten/puppy in our care and its age, it may need FVRCP (kittens)/ DHPP (puppies) booster shots from your vet.  If your kitten/puppy was not old enough at the time of adoption, you will also need to ensure it has its rabies shot at 4 months old.

Your kitten(s) received the FVRCP vaccine which protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.

FVRCP: The FVRCP or HCP vaccination protects your cat against three contagious diseases. Kittens receive 3 FVRCP or HCP injections, starting at the age of six to eight weeks. A booster shot is typically given annually, though some experts believe a less frequent booster shot would be just as effective.  This is something you should discuss with your vet at your new pet’s initial wellness exam.

FVR = Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. This is a severe upper respiratory infection that is most dangerous to young kittens and older cats. The virus is extremely contagious to cats, and is caused by a feline herpes virus. FVR can leave some cats with permanent respiratory system and optical damage.

C = Calicivirus. There are several different strains of calicivirus, causing a range of illness from mild infection to life-threatening pneumonia. The more dangerous strains can be deadly to young kittens and older cats. Calicivirus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected cat or an infected item. A carrier cat can pass the virus on for up to one year.

P = Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper. Feline distemper is a highly contagious disease that moves very quickly through the system. It is caused by a parvovirus similar to the parvovirus seen in dogs. 

Rabies: This shot will prevent your cat from contracting rabies should they ever get outside and come in contact with a rabid animal.  It is very important they are up to date on this! The initial rabies shot your cat or kitten received in our care will last for one year. After that they will be eligible for a 3 year rabies shot from your vet.