Advice for Other Cat Carers 185
sight of the other cats in the enclosure. The cat’s resources, i.e. food, water, litter
tray and bed, should be placed within this blocked off area.
● Keep the new cat in the cage for approximately 24 hours, observing the interac-
tions between the caged cat and the others in the enclosure.
● If predominantly friendly and affiliative behaviours are observed it should be safe
to allow the cat to join the others in the communal enclosure.
● Remove the cat immediately if it shows any signs of fear or aggression, or if negative
emotional responses are demonstrated by any of the cats already in the enclosure.
Human contact
Cats in a shelter or cattery environment will require varying levels of human contact
and interaction. Confident and well-socialized cats are likely to require human con-
tact in the form of affection and play (see Appendix 2), whereas less well-socialized
or timid cats may benefit from having the opportunity to become gradually accus-
tomed to a non-invasive and non-threatening human presence.
● All cats, regardless of history, must initially be given sufficient time to settle into
their new environment before any attempt is made to interact with them (see
housing a new admission).
● The cat must be allowed to initiate contact and always be allowed to move away
and hide from the person whenever they want.
● With timid or poorly socialized cats it is better that the person attempts no form of
approach or contact until the cat is ready to approach them. It can often be better
to simply sit in or near the pen while reading a book and occasionally speaking
softly, without attempting to look towards or make any movement towards the cat.
● If the cat chooses to approach, initial interaction should take place as described in
Appendix 17.
● Occasional individual access to a larger area that allows greater opportunity for
play and interaction with people can be of great benefit for friendly, well-socialized
cats and especially for cats showing signs of frustration such as excessive vocaliza-
tion, pawing through the cage bars at people passing by or destructive behaviour
(ripping up bedding, or tipping up food, water and/or litter trays).
Husbandry and general care procedures
Admitting new cats to the shelter or cattery
Stress is likely to be greater for a cat if it is has had a long or bad journey and if
subjected to a long wait between arrival and being caged. There may be little that can
be done about the journey to the centre, although cattery owners may be able to
advise regular clients on how they might be able to reduce stress for their cats asso-
ciated with travelling (see Appendix 12). However, adapting the admissions process
to minimize stress should be possible.
● Make appointments for arrivals or at least agree/arrange an approximate time of
arrival so that a suitable pen can be made ready.