Help adopting a nervous cat

[Nefer795]

We lost our old boy in August which was devastating. I've now been asked to adopt SIL's cat as she can't find any rental places which will let her have the cat. Feel heartbroken for her as she's had just about the worst year possible and I think looking after the cat has been keeping her alive. We're picking up new girl on Saturday and I really want to get this right to help SIL. I know she's always been an indoor cat, and she's very nervous around strangers.
I'm going to put her in the utility room as that's where her food and litter will be. The oil boiler is there so there's a warm place to sleep. I'll put a couple of boxes in for shelter and make sure all her own things are in there too. I'm going to stick a folding chair in there so I can spend time with her just reading so she can get used to me slowly. I know this will probably take some weeks.
Is there anything else that will help? I wondered about feliway but then I read the thread about it making cats poo so now am rethinking this. I've had cats before but this poor little one seems so special that I am really worried about her being miserable.

[Wolfiefan]

We have used feliway and not had a pooing problem. Make sure you keep litter and food the same. Maybe bring the litter tray over not quite um clean? Familiar smells will help. Can you transfer any insurance?
She may like high places to hide or sleep. Make absolutely sure she can't escape!

[Briette]

My cats don't seem to care about Feliway either way; no accidents but no noticeable effect on their comfort when it's used. They're nervous rescues (we knew they were nervous from the start - somehow I've never had a confident cat in my life) but they came out of their shells around me more quickly than I expected in the end. They hide from strangers but when it's just me they shout and mess around like complete idiots.

Your setup sounds lovely. Just being quiet and respectful of her personal space should put her at ease until she builds up some trust in you.

[thecatneuterer]

The set up you propose sounds perfect. It really is just a case of giving her time and a safe space (and making sure she can't get out!).

Just checking - as she's been indoor only - is she neutered? Unneutered females kept inside usually end up becoming psychotic.

[Allergictoironing]

Zylkene may help for the settling in period as well.

[Nefer795]

Thank you for the ideas. Have ordered some feliway and will see how it goes. I'm fairly sure she's been neutered, if not it will be done ASAP. SIL is going to pass over all her stuff so I can continue the same litter and food. Have been trying to get all the laundry done so we don't have to keep running the washing machine as she's trying to adjust. I looked up zylkene but I'm seriously not good at giving cats tablets. Collecting her tomorrow, exciting but also very sad.

[Allergictoironing]

Don't worry about giving Zylkene - I had to dose mine when I couldn't even touch them one of them still. It comes in capsules filled with powder, you just pull the 2 halves apart & sprinkle it on wet food. Mine really liked it, got quite sulky when I stopped putting it on their supper

[Nefer795]

She's hiding in her cat bed, but lets me rub her head gently. She's gorgeous, really pretty and seems very gentle. SIL already had Zylkene so I've sprinkled some on her food although she hasn't eaten yet. Has used her litter. Thank you for the advice and reassurance, we'll just go slowly and let her take her own time.