When you adopt a rescue animal, you want them to feel at home as quickly as possible. But you also need to remember that this is a highly stressful period for the new member of your family. You will need to go at their own pace. The settling in stage can take months. It is only natural to ask yourself if there is more that you could be doing to make them feel more like this is their safe space. If you are bringing a rescue animal home then you are doing a wonderful thing, no matter what the Pope says. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Get Everything Ready For Them

Cats can get anxious about changes at the best of times. But if you keep moving things around shortly after they move in, they are going to be even more upset. Try to make sure that you have your cat areas set up before they arrive. Put their litter tray somewhere where they are not going to be bothered. Show them their food and water dishes as soon as they arrive, and make sure it is not in a busy room. Make sure that there is somewhere where they can hide if they want to.

Plus don’t take it personally if they go straight there when they arrive!

Find The Right Food For Them

We all know that cats can be pretty fussy about their food, and we want to make sure that we are giving them what they want. First things first, if you have adopted a senior cat (that counts as a cat that is seven or older), you need to make sure that you are giving them a senior diet. One that gives their bodies all the support they need. You also may want to think about a natural pet food diet. Often, pet foods can be filled with all sorts of grains and other additives to bulk it out and make it last longer. Encore Pet Food is made with all natural ingredients that have been responsibly sourced. Visit their site to find out more.

Take It Slowly

When your pet first arrives, they will want to get to grips with their new environment. It can all be pretty overwhelming for them when they first arrive. Especially if you are planning on moving your cat abroad. Then you will need to sort out vaccinations and getting your pet micro-chipped on top of everything else. Think about what steps you can take to make things easier for them. It is generally suggested that you introduce them to a room at a time. Remember that the process of getting used to a new space may take a couple of weeks. Therefore try to take things at their pace.

Most vets and adoption agencies recommend that you wait about six weeks before letting them outside, if they are an outdoors cat. There are a lot of myths out there about how to make sure they don’t get lost. The one about butter on their paws should definitely not be listened to! But the most sensible thing is to start by letting them into the garden first. Make sure that they understand that this is their space and their home before you let them wander further.