You're now on your way to meeting the cat that stole your heart online. We feel it's important that you and the kitty have time to meet and bond before we move forward in the adoption process. Our top priority is ensuring that you and the kitty are a good match and that everyone needs are met. Please understand that New Beginnings Animal Rescue has the right to deny any adoption if it is not a good match.

What to bring​

• Bring your carrier - cats cannot leave the premise without one 
• Payment for the adoption fee (we take all forms of credit cards) - if it's a good match and your application is approved by the adoption counselor, you can take home your new kitty the same day ​

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Frequently asked questions

What does the kitty eat?

• We feed Purina One brand dry food. There are a million different varies, and our food is a mix of varieties. As long as you stick with Purina One brand, everything should be smooth sailing. Obviously, if you're adopting a kitten, you should select the "kitten" variety. 
• We also feed canned/wet food once a day (you're welcome to feed that more often, but with our schedule, it's just once). There is no one brand we use, we like to mix our wet food so no one gets too picky. The only brands we do NOT feed are Sheba and 9 Lives - those brands seem to cause instant vomiting for some reason. We also avoid the chunks/slices - the cats just lick the gravy and leave the pieces behind, so we stick with a pate/loaf/solid style. 

What if I want to switch food brands?

• You definitely can, but any time you switch brands you should do so slowly. It is best to buy a small bag of Purina One and slowly mix the two brands together. Switching too suddenly can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. We do not recommend using any brand that has a lot of colored pieces/dyes. These are low-quality food and your cat does not need to eat rainbow pieces of food. 

What kind of litter?

• Again, we mix litter brands so no one is used to anything specific, but we use clumping style litter. That's what works best for us. Just like with food, if  you want to switch styles of litter, we recommend you do so slowly and mix the styles together as you transition.

A note about litter boxes

• There are a lot a fancy litter boxes out there and sadly, most are just clever marketing. Automatic litter boxes and litter boxes with the opening at the top are a waste of money. Please stick with a standard litter box, large enough to adequately accommodate the cat, and scoop it regularly. 

Click here for our basic Going Home handout

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basic info to keep in mind

Kitty Confinement
When you arrive home, we recommend you keep your kitty in a small, confined room for at least a week. It can be very stressful for a cat to go from one “home” to another - many will just run and hide if you let them free in your home. By keeping them confined, they can adjust to you and the new smells and sounds of home in an area they feel safe a secure.

When you feel your kitty has adjusted, open the door and let her come out and explore on her own. Be sure they have their dry food, water, and litter box with them in the room.

​Cats can live 15-20yrs, so it is important to give your cat all the time she needs now, so she can enjoy and live in your home without stress or fear.

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​For more info, click here

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Keeping Kitty Inside
People often have a romantic idea about a cat's life outdoors, however, the reality is that nationwide, cats who get lost outdoors less than 2% make it back home. The idea that a needs/should be allowed outside for their healthy is a myth. Playing regularly with your cat can easily satisfy his need for stalking, keeps him mentally stimulated, and provides exercise.

In fact, the indoor cat that gets lots of attention and playtime is likely to be happier than the indoor-outdoor cat that is generally ignored by his humane guardians.

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​For more info, click here

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Shy Cats
Going to a new, strange environment will cause some cats to regress. Remember your new cat know us, the routine, and the environment because we took the time to build that relationship. The amount of time it takes a cat to settle into his new home varies from individual to individual; it may take a week or it could take months. You must be ready to give your cat as long as he needs to feel safe and confident – don't give up on him!

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