Preparing Kittens for Adoption
You raised them. Now comes the hardest and most important part: sending them to the right homes, set up to succeed.
Vet checklist before adoption
- First FVRCP vaccine at 8 weeks (booster at 12)
- Deworming at 4, 6, and 8 weeks
- Fecal test for parasites
- Spay/neuter — ideally before adoption (most rescues require it)
- Microchip registered to the adopter
Behavioral readiness
A kitten ready for adoption should:
- Use the litter box reliably
- Eat solid food without help
- Be comfortable being held, brushed, and having paws touched
- Show curiosity rather than fear toward new people
If a kitten is still timid, give them another week or two — confidence at adoption pays off for life.
Vetting adopters
Good questions to ask:
- Have you had cats before? What happened to them?
- Indoor only? (The right answer is yes.)
- Other pets in the home?
- Who is the vet, and have you contacted them?
- What happens if you move, have a baby, or your situation changes?
Trust your gut. A great kitten deserves a great home, and "no" is a complete answer.
Adopt in pairs when possible
Especially for kittens raised together — and always for singletons. Two kittens entertain each other, sleep curled up together, and are dramatically easier than one. See single kitten syndrome.
Adoption-day kit
Send adopters home with:
- A small bag of the food the kitten is used to
- A blanket or toy that smells like their littermates
- Vaccine and deworming records
- A one-page care sheet with your contact info
Stay available
A short note one week and one month later — "How's she settling in?" — builds trust and catches small problems before they grow.
Letting go
It will feel bittersweet. That's the deal you signed up for when you took them in. You did the hardest part. Now they get a whole life.
Every kitten you raise and place well opens up space — in your home and at the rescue — for the next one who needs you.