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

Kitties
Litter + litter box (Two for pairs): Most of our kitties are familiar with pine, grass seed and world’s best litter.
Food (kitten specific if under six months and a majority wet food diet 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.

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 issues of concern that arise should be promptly brought to our attention.

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 a minimum of 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 bring any issues to our attention.

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

Unless otherwise noted, the cat or kitten was snap tested for FIV/FeLV. These tests are standard screening tools but not definitive. You can learn more about testing in shelter/rescue settings and their limitations here.

Vaccinations

Unless otherwise noted, the cat or kitten will be up to date on age appropriate vaccinations. Depending on the amount of time we have had them in our care and their age, they may need booster shots from your vet.

The FVRCP vaccine protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. 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.

Rabies: This vaccine is required by law and will prevent your cat from contracting rabies should they ever get outside and come in contact with a rabid animal. The initial rabies vaccine 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.