Setting up room for rescue cat

[Esgaroth]

We're going to pick up our rescue cat on Sunday and I've been making him a base camp in our spare bedroom, which is on the basement level so quieter than the main floor and upstairs.

I've put for him:

A litter tray
A cardboard box with an old pillow and a blanket
Bowls for water and dry food
A toy mouse (I imagine he won't be feeling very playful yet but just in case)
A cat tree with a cave thing, scratch posts and platforms that will allow him to climb up to the window sill (which is quite high up because it's the basement) or the top of the book shelf.

There's also a bed in there and an armchair so he should have plenty of places to sit/sleep and also places to hide.

I've put the litter tray, food bowl and water bowl all apart from each other, as I've read this is how cats prefer it.

Is there anything else I should be getting ready for him? He's about 4/5, not a kitten, and was left behind when his owner moved house so he was living outside for a while, then in a cage at the rescue, then in a foster home this past week so he's definitely going to be very unsettled and will need to spend at least a few days just in this room.

Should I leave him completely alone in there apart from coming in to feed, water and clean litter box or should I bring my laptop in to work there during the day? Should I sleep in the bed or would he probably prefer to have the night alone?

He's doing brilliantly, well done!

I use Intersand and have a super deep tray so don't do a full change until wee clumps are hitting the bottom of the tray.

I'd put a radiator fleece bed in there and leave the cat carrying case open with a blanket in it, maybe a small scratch mat

He's gorgeous, and obviously very settled already...😻😻

I have a very bog standard litter tray I think (not knowing anything about them - childhood cats always went outside and didn't have a tray at all). He seems to bury everything very diligently so it's always at the bottom anyway. What's an average normal time frame do you know? Weekly, monthly?

Our cat goes outside, but before we let him outside, I'd empty the litter tray completely every week. I'd give it a good wash with detergent. If it was particularly filthy I'd wash it before a week (like the time he diarrhea).

It really depends on the cat and how much mess they make.

What a beautiful cat and how lovely that he is settling in so well.

We scrape solids and soiled litter out of the tray daily.

Pressing his paw against you, hugging your arm : yes I think you are friends!😻😻

He looks so settled already! Have you settled on a name he can ignore yet?

Yes, he is called Kettle 😄

I know it's a bit of a silly name, there is context but never mind that here.

He is lovely. I bet he will enjoy spreading out in the rest of your house.
Can I say how impressed I am that you have educated your children so well that they are extending such empathy to Kettle. Often we see children and adults without good values so is a lovely gift you have given your children already.

We have had two rescue cats at separate times. The first Mum we bought in. Elderly Mother said he’s big would he like some turkey. Got on her lap the first evening. Acted liked he owned the house. Second one who had been abandoned with 4 other Tom cats all uneutered was a bit shyer hid under the sewing machine but still got on a lap the first evening. Explored the house . Did a poo in the bath. Two litter trays. Very affectionate but still retreating to under the sewing machine.

Thank you 😊 They have always loved animals and I think it's to their credit. Kettle certainly seems to like them - here he is listening to DS read his school reading book.

Excellent, already your children are gaining from the relationship. Cats are great for helping children to do their reading. Unlike humans they listen and rarely interrupt!

Clearly you are the perfect home and family for Kettle 🧡