There are some basic requirements that we expect of a good adoptive family to help your new kitty settle into his/her forever home:

1. Must be very patient, kind and compassionate person/persons.

2. Must have enough time to be able to spend caring for all their needs.

3. Preferably some knowledge of kittens’ needs.
Create a safe environment that supports healthy growth and stimulates their playful, curious nature. We recommend you are prepared with the following items:

• Food and water bowls
• Good quality food – appropriate for your cat/kitten
• Litter box
• Cat litter
• Slotted scoop
• Bed and bedding
• Carry cage
• Scratching post
• Toys, e.g. wiggle wands, feather toys, balls, shoe lace (not string as it can be chewed off and ingested)
• Grooming tools — brush, comb and nail clippers

4. Must ensure the kittens always have a clean environment…remove faeces from litter tray straight away.

5. It is no longer the way to have kittens shut away in the laundry out of site…especially for stray kittens whom have had a lot less contact with humans. They need to be confined for a short time in a very large crate, in the busiest room of your house with lots of human goings on, noise and stimulation. As they become comfortable in their environment, gradually enlarge the area they have access to, with no hiding spaces, so that you can maintain physical contact.
Note: Families with children and cat friendly dogs make ideal adoptive families, so long as the above applies and the children are gentle and toddlers are supervised around the kittens.  It is important also that these kittens get socialisation with as many people as possible, including visitors.

6. Provide a home that has the appropriate space/environment to enable kittens’ healthy socialisation and development, and preferably with a secure backyard that will enable them to safely play and explore when they have bonded with their new family (no earlier than 3 weeks).