Congratulations on your adoption! Please submit the Adoption Agreement for the cat you are adopting. If you are adopting multiple cats, please submit one agreement per cat.
Listed below is our Introduction Process. Please read it thoroughly before submitting the agreement. You will also be given a copy of The Introduction Agreement by your Case Manager.
INTRODUCING A NEW CAT INTO A HOME WITH OR WITHOUT AN EXISTING RESIDENT CAT (ERC)
First, please realize that New Kitty you are taking home will probably be frightened to some degree. It's just been uprooted from its home - in some cases the only home it's known - and everything in your home, no matter how comfortable for you and the Existing Resident Cat (ERC), is all strange and new, and may take some time getting used to. How long it takes for the New Kitty to acclimate is hard to say - each kitty has its own personality & comfort level.
THERE IS A VERY SIMPLE, FAIRLY PAINLESS METHOD TO INTRODUCE A NEW KITTY
HERE IS THE PROCEDURE: "Furnish" a room for the New Kitty to come home to. This is where he/she will spend 10-14 days getting to know YOU and your family. Provide food, water, a litter pan, a few toys, a scratching post, and a "bed". The bed can be an old comforter folded to make a nice soft bed to snuggle in, an old sweatshirt or two, or a couple of nice thick towels folded. Give the New Kitty some toys: balls with bells, catnip-filled toys, & furry mice. Have a couple of feather toys placed out of the New Kitty's reach too. These come in handy if the New Kitty gets frightened and goes under a piece of furniture. They usually can't resist. When you come home with the New Kitty, take him/her to "his/her room". Place the carrier near the litter pan - this is a reference point – he/she needs to know immediately before anything else happens, where the litter pan is located. Open the door to the carrier - let him/her come out when he/she is comfortable. Some come out immediately, tail waving, head up - looking around to explore. Others will slink out and go under something. This is ok - just talk softly to the kitty, put food in the dish, and leave him/her alone for a little while, to listen to the new noises and smell the different smells in your house. Go in several times during the first day - the New Kitty may not run up and leap on your lap - so please don't be disappointed. He/she's very much out of his/her known territory. So, what do you? Go into the New Kitty's room, sit down, and talk, watch TV or read a book, and talk to the New Kitty. The New Kitty may or may not come out. The second day & Third day, the same routine. Go in before leaving for work, give fresh food/water, and scoop the litter pan - the New Kitty should now have nibbled and used the pan. Some will wait about 24 hours; others have no qualms at all. When you arrive home from work, go visit the New Kitty. Get down on the floor and entice him/her to play. (This is where the feather toys come in handy.) On each trip to visit the kitty, notice if the balls or any other toys have been moved - or anything else in the room. If things have been disturbed, that means he/she has been exploring. On the fourth day - pick up the New Kitty and open the door. Allow the Existing Resident Cat (ERC), if you have one, to come in, while you go out and close the door. Allow about an hour or so for the ERC to sniff and investigate where the New Kitty has been. During this time, take the New Kitty to where the ERC's litterbox is (again, a reference point) - and allow the New Kitty to explore at his/her own pace from there. Then, exchange the New Kitty and ERC again - New Kitty back to "his/her" room, ERC back into "his/her" house. Do this for 1-2 more days. The New Kitty should become increasingly comfortable, and this is the best way to prevent the ERC from taking great offense that another creature has moved in. On the 6th or later day - when you arrive home, go in and spend a little time playing with the New Kitty. When you exit the room, leave the door open. For a few more days, leave the New Kitty's litter pan and dishes in the room - then remove them. The New Kitty should be using pans in both locations and should not mind the removal of "his/her".
MCR cannot emphasize enough how much patience may be needed during the first couple of weeks with a New Kitty. An older adult or a very shy cat may require much more time and patience.
THE BENEFITS OF INTRODUCING A NEW KITTY IN THIS MANNER
1. The New Kitty gets used to new sounds, smells, and people in a confined area, and this area is likely to be a comfort zone if, for some odd reason later on in life, he/she gets frightened by something or must be confined. 2. It allows observation for both you and the New Kitty. You can see what the New Kitty likes in regards to toys, petting, and grooming, plus it gives you a chance to see how much he/she's eating, and using the litter pan for the first week, and just generally observe his/her general behavior. The New Kitty is given a chance to get to know and bond with you, without interference from the ERC. Take your time, and allow the New Kitty to progress at his/her own pace. It’s well worth the time spent!
The cat’s foster and/or case manager will reach out to you within 24 hours of adoption to see how things are going. We will stay in daily contact for up to 2 weeks to help assist with the transition. The adjustment period could take a few days, weeks, or even months. Just don’t get discouraged. If you are having problems or need advice, please reach out and ask questions. You can reach out to the foster or case manager. You may also reach out to us at adoption@mainecoonrescue.net. We are here to help you with any problems that may arise or if you just need advice. What the INDOOR cat misses: • Fleas • Ticks • Fights • Worms • Abscesses • Dog attacks • Becoming lost • Being tortured • Being hit by a car • A shorter lifespan • Being eaten by a coyote • Being stolen for profit • Skin cancer and sun damage • Exposure to FIV (feline AIDS) • Poisoning by food or pesticides • Becoming trapped in a shed or garage • Exposure to Feline Leukemia (FeLV) • Exposure to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) • Exposure to Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) • Relocation by jumping into a car or moving van
First Name*
Last Name*
Address*
City*
State/Province*
Zip/Postal Code* -
Email*
Home Phone*
Cell Phone
Alt Email
Name of cat*
Age/Color*
Veterinarian Name and Phone number *
I hereby agree to care for the above-mentioned cat humanely (including, but not limited to water, food, shelter, vaccinations, and any necessary veterinary care) and understand that Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) will have the right to inspect living conditions. If any inhumane treatment is suspected and established, MCR will have the right to reclaim the cat.
I agree to relinquish custody only to MCR. That you will not sell, trade, or dispose of this cat in any other manner. You will not take this cat to a shelter.
I agree to use this cat for no other purpose than as a family pet.
Do you understand that any cat adopted through MCR can be returned to MCR after any period of time, but a refund will only be considered if the cat is returned within two weeks of being transferred to its adoptive home?
Do you understand that for altered Cat over 6 months of age, they are an altered cat that will not produce kittens?
I agree to take the above-mentioned cat to the vet within 2 weeks of adoption for an introduction visit to your vet clinic.
I agree to pay any and all medical expenses for this cat.
I agree to not hold MCR responsible for any medical expenses.
I agree to keep this cat indoors only, to not allow this cat outside except on a leash, and at no time will this cat be tied outside.
I hereby agree NOT to declaw this adopted cat from Maine Coon Rescue.
I agree to supply a scratching post for cats with intact claws and read MCR-supplied materials on declawing and training. Agreeing to do your best to train this cat to use the scratching post and if your training efforts are unsuccessful, and the cat consistently exhibits destructive scratching behavior, you will notify a MCR for advice.
I agree to follow through with the introduction process for this cat.
I agree to contact Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) if you have any questions or concerns regarding introducing the cat you are adopting into your current home environment.
I agree to notify Maine Coon Rescue within 24 hours if the cat is lost or deceased within 2 years after adoption.
I agree to let Maine Coon Rescue be part of the recovery process if the cat is lost.
I agree not to hold Maine Coon Rescue or the MCR members responsible for the conduct of the cat after adoption.
I agree MCR has not made any misrepresentations regarding this particular cat other than the information given to them by former owners and the foster's own observations of the cat while in their presence.
I agree MCR does not propose to know the parentage of cats in its care, and by this statement, you have been informed that it cannot and does not assure that the parentage of this cat includes any pure Maine Coon?
I agree that MCR accepts no responsibility for any liability or for any injury or damages to any person or property caused by this cat, as well as any cause of action, claims, suits or demands whatsoever that may arise as a result of such injury or damage?
Do you understand that MCR members may inquire about the cat? This includes speaking with your veterinarian.
Adoption Fee Paid*
Transport fee paid
Total fee(s) paid*
I agree that your electronic signature and submission of this form acknowledges that you have read and understood the above and will accept the above-described cat as part of your family.
By signing this document, you understand and agree that failure to comply with the foregoing agreement will constitute a breach of contract. In the event of any such breach of contract, I authorize Maine Coon Rescue to reclaim possession of the adopted cat.
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Please sign your name saying you understand and agree to the above document.*
Today's date.*
