Getting a cat in 2-3 weeks, what do we need?

[Hulababy]

Following my last thread Wanting a cat DH has agreed .

We went to the cat shelter today and had a lovely hour there vsiting the 4 "cvisiting" rooms each with 4 or 5 cats in. They don't normally adopt to people with children under 5 unless the child(ren) shws they are suitable to be with one or more of their cats. DD was just fine and very gentle, and well behaved so they have said we can definitely have one of their cats

We did see a lovely, adorable pair of cats - one with DD's name, who she fell in love with there and then. But we can't have two cats - think DH couldn't cope! And we can't get a cat until after our weekend in London in 2 weeks.

So, we are off in 2-3 weeks time to see what cats they have ready for homing, and hope to bring one home to live with us

My question now - what do we need to get before our cat comes home to live with us?

I need the essentials first, but also the things you would suggest too.

We are not looking for expensive, silly priced stuff - just your best buys

Thank you for your help!

Hulababy will your cat ultimately have access to the outdoors during the day - do you intend to ultimately get a cat flap? If not is it really fair to shut a cat out of virtually every area of the house during the day?

Also, £60 per cat seems a little expensive to me. I adopted 2 kittens from the RSPCA, and although it was 7 years ago I paid £32 for each cat, which included spaying, vaxinations, worming and microchipping.

Buy one of those fishing net type toys with a furry rat thing on the end - mine loves it!
She also goes mad chasing balls of paper- is partial to lottery tickets best of all- rolls better!

£60 is standard cost for a cat here. All the charity type places have the same costs when we checked. I am more than happy to pay that out.

The cat will have outdoor access too, although not immediately as we are recommended keeping her/him inside for first few weeks. We will get a cat flap but are waiting to see what type of cat we have first. My own childhood cat never had a cat flap, prefering to be let in and out at certain times instead. I'd rather just see what his/her preference and nature is before cuttinginto my brand new doors!

I actually don't think it is cruel to keep the doors shut. I had a cat when growing up who only has access to the hall way and one room in the house when we were out. She was a very happy little thing and lived very comfortably until the age of 22 years!

We also have a lot of room even with the bedrooms, kitchen and living room doors closed. The cat will have the run of 3 floors of stairs and ladnings, the lobby, the downstairs utility room and the garden room. The lady at the Shelter seemed to thing this was perfectly adequate and more room than some cats get in a small house/bungalow anyway.

togo - DD is already eying up all the toys she fancies for her new cat :)

togo??? Sorry, meant to type tigi

repellant to pre spray things you do not want the cat going on or scratching.
Cat Flap?

Our cat is a kitchen cat, she has a bed in there next to the radiator, we also leave the garage door open as she likes being out.
She has a cat flap and comes and goes...

The repellent spray stuff sounds like a good idea.

Piffle - I think a cat flap WILL be something we get, once the cat is okay to go out. We have a nice enclosed, private garden so even if the cat does go out it will have to work out how to climb the wall to go to far. DD is convinced her new cat will make a bed, when outside, inside her little house :)

We are hopefully going to get our cat on Sunday or Monday afternoon, next week. Going to do a little bit of shopping this aftrnoon with DD.

Any last things to add?

Ok, I now have:

cat carrier
scratching post
reflective flea collar
3 days of food (to get us going)
some treats
cat tray, scoop, liners and clumping litter
some toys
bowl and mat to put it on
repellent spray thing to avoid the cat going on certain things (if it works)

Will get an enclosed litter tray later on I think. See how it goes.