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Living well with cats

Love the little moments.Plan for a whole life.

A cat shares more than your sofa. Before welcoming one, make room for their needs today and the changes tomorrow may bring.

Start with the preparation
A watercolor cat resting peacefully at home
A quiet place, familiar care, and someone who keeps showing up.

01

Before bringing a cat home

Talk through these four things with everyone who will share the responsibility.

  • Time, every day

    Plan who will feed, clean, play and notice changes, including on busy days.

  • A realistic budget

    Price local food, litter and routine vet care. Set aside a plan for unexpected treatment.

  • A suitable home

    Check housing permission and household agreement. Prepare secure windows, a carrier and places to hide and scratch.

  • The individual cat

    Ask an adoption team about the cat’s needs and history. Choose a companion for the life you can offer, beyond a photo or breed label.

Source:[1][2]

Waiting is a responsible choice too. You can help a local rescue through volunteering or supplies while you prepare.

02

Care is built in ordinary days

  • Food, water and a clean toilet

    Provide suitable complete cat food, fresh water and accessible litter boxes. Clean them regularly and notice changes in eating or toileting.

  • Room to be a cat

    Offer resting and hiding places, scratching surfaces and gentle play. Let your cat approach and leave; give each cat access to separate resources.

  • A veterinary care plan

    Discuss checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention and neutering with your vet. Seek veterinary advice for illness, injury or unexpected changes.

  • A safe home and an identity

    Reduce escape and household hazards. Discuss identification such as a microchip with your vet, and keep registered contact details current.

Source:[2][3]

03

Leave room for life to change

Travel and busy weeks

Agree on a reliable caregiver, access to the home and written care instructions before you leave.

Moving or family changes

Include your cat in housing and travel plans early. Keep familiar routines and allow time to adjust.

Ageing and emergencies

Review care as needs change. Keep a carrier, vet contacts, medical records and a backup caregiver ready.

Source:[2][4]

04

Asking for help is part of caring

If money, housing or behaviour becomes difficult, seek support early. You and your cat deserve a workable plan.

  1. Speak to your vet about health or behaviour changes, and ask local welfare groups what support is available.
  2. Explore a trusted temporary caregiver or supported rehoming if keeping your cat is no longer possible.
  3. Arrange a confirmed handover and share medical records, habits and needs. Keep providing safe care until the handover.

Never abandon a cat outdoors or leave them at a rescue without an arrangement. Ask the organisation directly about capacity and urgent options. Source:[4]

Get to know the cat beside you

Everyday observation can help you notice preferences. PurrJung’s playful profiles do not assess adoption readiness or replace veterinary advice.

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Sources for taking the next step

These English resources inform the guide. Services and requirements vary by location; contact a local vet or welfare organisation for support near you.

  1. Cats ProtectionChoosing the Right Cat For You

    Choosing a cat and preparing a home · English resource

  2. ASPCAGeneral Cat Care

    Food, hygiene, health and identification · English resource

  3. FelineVMAClient Education: What Your Cat Needs to Feel Secure

    A cat’s environmental needs · English resource

  4. Cats ProtectionThinking About Giving Up A Cat

    Support and careful rehoming · English resource

  5. ASPCAA Closer Look at Community Cats

    Community cats and TNR · English resource

Reviewed ·