"Try to put yourself inside the
head of your new kitten - imagine you are looking through his eyes. You have been taken away from the
only family and home you have ever known, separated from your siblings and play-mates you grew up with
and without Granny Nola chatting to you to re-assure you and talk to you.
"You have been shoved here and
there in a carry box, waited in strange places with strange noises, maybe you have even been put on a
jet for hours and hours with other animals and birds who were probably not happy and letting everyone
know - although you would have been brave and tried to sleep most of the way and ignore the rest of
them.
"Then, a stranger takes you and
puts you in a car and drives away with you.
"So, what should this stranger do
to help you settle into your new home with your new family?
"Firstly, the person should take
you into a small quiet room with a calm atmosphere - her bedroom would be good - not a cold noisy
bathroom!! - not a large open area!! She should shut the door so it's nice and safe and secure and
quiet.
"Then, she should put your new
litter box on the floor and also a bowl of fresh water and a plate of something yummy to eat as well as
some dry kitten food.
"All this time she should talk to
you quietly so you get used to the sound of her voice. Granny Nola talked all the time, so the quicker
you can imprint your voice over Granny Nola's voice, the better.
"Then the new owner should sit on
the floor beside the carry box and open the door of your box. She shouldn't reach in and drag you out,
just chat and encourage you to explore. Normally this only takes a split second because you would have
been in the carry box for so long it will be wonderful to finally be out!
"She should talk quietly to you in
a gentle, calm voice while you have a look around without any noises or threats. She should encourage
you to come to investigate her and perhaps have a cuddle with her on the bed or on a chair or just on
the floor. She should give you lots of gentle, quiet cuddles to help you settle down but let you explore
as you like and don't hold you if you want to explore some more rather than
cuddle.
"You will also be a bit hungry, so
it would be settling if you could have a nibble at the food the new owner has set out for you. Once you
have had a look around, had a bite to eat and used your litter, you will usually be ready to explore the
rest of the house. But the new owner shouldn't rush this - you could be ready to explore further in 5
minutes, or 5 hours - you will let the new owner know when you are ready!
"Once you have settled down, show
your new owner you are relaxed and have an interest in exploring the rest of your new house by putting
your tail up and showing your bright eyes but not so wide that you show fear. You might also roll on the
floor and stretch and relax your tired muscles. The owner should then open the door and invite you to
explore outside the room - talking to you as you go - telling you it is OK. She should follow behind you
as you explore, talking quietly, explaining things to you if you need. If you are frightened, you will
hide under furniture, or draw yourself up into a small ball, put your tail down and your ears down and
widen your eyes - in which case, she should gently retrieve you, comfort you and put you back into her
bedroom until you are ready for another foray into the house.
"If your new owner does these
things and makes your introductions to her and the rest of family and house pleasant and without cause
for fear, you will have your new family following your rules within a few hours and be right at home.
Sometimes when you are exploring and you suddenly find you are alone, you will probably mew out loud,
but if your new family answers you or better still comes to find you and tell you 'It's alright, little
one, I'm here' you will feel re-assured again and ready to finish your exploring - and start your new
life with your new family - confident and happy that you are loved as much as Granny Nola loved
you.
"If the new owner just takes the
time to do these few thoughtful things when you first arrive at your new home, you will be right at home
within hours, but if you are not welcomed and comforted properly and allowed to remain frightened and
uncomfortable, it may take you much, much longer to settle in.
"Remember the first 24 hours for a
kitten in a new home and family are the most important!"
