Windows and balconies are not places for experimentation
Install rigid, strong, mechanically fixed nets designed to withstand a cat's weight and impact. Ordinary insect screens can tear or come loose. Tilt-and-turn windows are especially dangerous: a cat can get trapped and suffer serious injuries. Use dedicated guards or keep them closed when the cat has access.
The home, checked room by room
- Metal screens or professional systems on all accessible windows and balconies
- Cables, threads, elastic bands, needles, medicines and cleaning products locked away
- Plants checked; lilies are a severe toxicological emergency for cats
- Washing machine, dryer, oven and sofa beds checked before use
- Exterior doors managed through a routine known to the whole family
- A sturdy carrier, always accessible, not hidden until an emergency
Basic resources
For litter boxes, the practical rule is the number of cats plus one, placed in different, quiet and easily accessible spots. Clean daily and avoid strong scents. Provide water in several places, away from the litter box; many cats prefer wide bowls or a fountain. Offer vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces, beds, hiding places and high spots.
The real budget
- Complete food suited to age and medical recommendation
- Litter, litter boxes and supplies
- Vet visits, vaccination, deworming, sterilisation and microchipping where available
- Emergency fund or medical insurance
- Competent care when you travel
- Repairs and replacing worn-out items
The first days, weeks and months
Start with a quiet room with all the resources. Let the cat set the pace of exploration. Don't pull her out of hiding and don't invite lots of people to see her. Is she eating, using the litter box and resting? These are the first important signs, not whether she comes straight into your arms.
Some cats relax within hours, others within weeks or months. Progress isn't linear. A shier day doesn't undo the trust you've built.
Prepare the people too
All family members must accept the costs, the door and window rules, the need for quiet, and the fact that a child is not left solely responsible for an animal.