Bringing my rescue cat home tomorrow. What are your tips?

[JMSA]

I’m very excited and completely organised, in terms of everything I needed to get. I’ll be meeting her for the first time tomorrow and bringing her home.
However it has been YEARS since I brought a rescue cat home. I daresay I made mistakes (previous rescue cat was my first), though he had a great life with us. I’m worried that I’ve forgotten what to do!
I loved my old cat but he was incredibly nocturnal. He loved going out at night (it’s quiet and safe where we live), but I don’t want to get into that again as he used to wake me whenever he wanted back in! It was stupid that I ever went along with it 😳 and I want to set up nothing but good habits with this one!
Please help me to do just that. I also remember that he hid for a few days when he first arrived with us. And of course I know that I have to keep her indoors for the first few weeks.
Anything else you’d recommend I put in place?
Thanks.

My dd24 fosters rescue cats and she limits them to one room initially until they are more comfortable. Then gradually she opens up the rest of the house to them.
She makes sure they have everything..comfy bed,litter box, food, water, toys, climbing tree, hideouts etc. Feeds them and keeps her distance but lets them take the lead and come to her.
Good luck, cats are amazing!

Also, where did you put the litter box in relation to the cat’s initial sleeping place? Is it best to confine them to one room initially?
It feels like bringing a baby home from the hospital!

Oh, thank you!

Spend time quietly in the room with them and let the cat come to you. Do not force yourself on the cat. Years ago my first cat when I got her, I was home about an hour and then had to
go out but was out in the end nearly ten hours I think it was, a very long time. Anyway when I’d got home she had obviously come out and explored, eaten and used her tray and was fast asleep on my bed. Not saying that works for all
cats as I had a one bed flat at the time but it worked for her

I agree with the PP. Be present, but distant and ignore them until they get their confidence. Their food must be in a safe and quiet place as it’s when they are at their most vulnerable and anxious.

Diagonal corners if you can manage.

I had a foster who stayed behind my bedside table for the first 48 hours, so I put newspaper down on the carpet & had all her stuff in there. As she got more confident I slowly moved her litter tray & bowls to where I wanted them.

One rescue cat explored the whole house within an hour or so. Swore at his reflection in the mirror. Other one was more timid but still came upstairs and got on my bed. Did do a poo in the bath though. But quite clever really. We did it wrong but worked for them they were both about 5.

Thank you all!

I do hope you will report back with pictures! We need to see the little one and exclaim over his/her beauty.