Five Things to Know Before Adopting a Kitten

Every spring, our shelter fills with kittens — and so does our application inbox. Kittens are wonderful. They are also a 15–20 year commitment, a litter-box-shaped lifestyle change, and not always the right fit for every home. Here are the five things our adoption counsellors wish every applicant knew.

1. Kittens come in pairs for a reason. Two kittens are easier than one. They wear each other out, learn social skills together, and are far less destructive. Adopting a single kitten almost always means you, the human, become the second kitten — and you are not as fast.

2. Cat-proof your home before they arrive. Loose cords, dangling blinds, toxic houseplants (lilies, pothos, philodendron), and small swallowable objects need to disappear. A curious kitten can find trouble you didn’t know existed.

3. Indoor-only is a real commitment. Cats live 2–3x longer indoors. Set up vertical space, window perches, scratching posts, and rotate enrichment toys. Boredom causes most "behavioural" problems we see.

4. Vet costs are real. Kittens need a series of three vaccines plus spay/neuter. Budget $400–600 in their first year alone. Pet insurance is worth considering — talk to your vet.

5. The first month is not the cat. The shy ball under the bed for week one is not who they will be. Most cats fully decompress in 4–6 weeks. Be patient.