Did you know? Adoption fees help us to provide medical care, food, and shelter to animals in our care. By choosing to adopt, you’re paying it forward to other animals in need!

Here’s what’s included with your adoption:

Core Treatments: Your cat/kitten has received deworming and flea treatment, and was vaccinated for FVRCP and rabies while in our care.

Spay & Neuter: All cats and kittens adopted from HSSV are altered prior to adoption.

Microchip: Cats and kittens without microchips will receive one prior to adoption. All microchips are registered with HomeAgain for the life of the cat at the time of adoption.

Medical Exam & Behavior Notes: A copy of your animal’s medical history and any behavior notes will be provided to you at the time of adoption. Please consult your veterinarian for any questions regarding medical history.

Next Steps

1) Pick up basic supplies:

• • A secure carrier (this is mandatory to take your kitty home)
  • Food (Hill’s Science Diet Dry & Wet Food)
  • Litter Box
  • Litter
  • Litter Scoop

• Additional Supplies:
  • Bowls
  • Toys
  • Cat Tree
  • Training Treats
  • Comfy Bed
  • Grooming Supplies
  • Breakaway Collar
  • ID Tag

2) Complete Microchip Registration: We started your microchip registration for your new pet in the HomeAgain database. Complete your registration at homeagain.com.

3) Set a Veterinary Appointment: Even though pets adopted from HSSV are vaccinated and examined by our medical team, you should have your family veterinarian examine your pet within 1-2 weeks of bringing them home. Your veterinarian can help you review your new pet’s medical history and set up a vaccine schedule for future treatments, including monthly flea prevention and future deworming treatments.

4) Diet: While in our care your cat has been eating Hill’s Science Diet dry and canned wet food. You can use the feeding guidelines on the back of the packaging or speak with your vet to determine appropriate amounts. Your chosen veterinarian can also serve as a resource to provide advice about which diet is best for your new pet.

Tip: If you decide to change food, slowly integrate the new food rather than all at once to prevent digestive issues.

Resources

Low Cost Vaccination Clinics: We offer vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping services at our Medical Center. Find out more here.

Behavior Help: If you’re faced with behavioral challenges (e.g. aggression, inappropriate litter box habits), you and your pet may benefit from behavior counseling. Find referrals and resources here.

At Humane Society Silicon Valley, we’re proud to be part of the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program and we feed our pets Hill’s brand pet food.

We offer all our new pet parents the opportunity to participate in the Hill’s New Pet Parent program. As a part of Hill’s New Pet Parent program, you will receive an email with a link to Hill’s New Pet Parent website, more information about Hill’s food, the Adoption Kit, and other tips for new pet parents. If at any time you wish to no longer receive emails about the Hill’s New Pet Parent Program, you may opt-out at the link at the bottom of the emails, or otherwise contact Hill’s by email or call 1-800-445-5777.

Why we suggest that you continue feeding your new pet Hill’s Science Diet:

• Continuity and consistency of food helps reduce digestive distress
• While feeding Science Diet, you are offering your new pet a food that is or has:
  • #1 veterinarian recommended
  • Precise nutrition supports healthy skin, coat, and stool
  • Clinically proven antioxidants for a healthy immune system*
  • Unique foods for healthy dogs and cats of every age, size, and need
  • Natural, great tasting ingredients*
  • Not artificially colored, flavored, or preserved*
  • Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust

* Dry foods only

When you choose Hill’s brands, you help our shelter and the Hill’s Food, Shelter, and Love program!

As a part of the Hill’s Food, Shelter, and Love program you receive a starter bag of food for your new pet. It contains approximately 1 week of food as well as a $5 coupon for your first purchase of any Hill’s pet food product. 

A full copy of your pets medical records will be emailed to you at the time of adoption.

Please note, vaccines or treatments due after the time of adoption will be at the cost of the adopter. We recommend making an appointment with a vet within two weeks of adoption to review your new pet’s medical records and create a vaccine plan.

What are our core treatments?

We recommend that you discuss with your family veterinarian ongoing health care needs, including future vaccinations and screening tests, such as Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) screening tests (retroviral SNAP tests), for your new cat. Guidelines for vaccinations and screening tests can change, so it is best to seek the advice of your family veterinarian to determine the ideal vaccination and testing schedule based on the lifestyle of your new cat.

Watch out for signs of Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Bringing your cat home from the shelter is exciting for the entire family, but big changes can also cause some stress for your cat or kitten. Just like people, when a cat experiences stress, their immune system can become compromised, and as stressed people can succumb to a cold, a cat experiencing a change in environment can also develop a similar upper respiratory infection (URI).

The most common cause of URI is viral, and typically causes cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny nose or eyes. In most cases, URI will resolve without needing treatment. However, on some occasions, this mild viral URI can develop a secondary bacterial infection, usually manifesting with green or yellow nasal and/or eye discharge. These cases may require antibiotics to treat the infection, and an examination by a veterinarian is advised.

Cats that appear healthy when they leave HSSV may show symptoms of URI once in their new home. Since the viruses that cause URI can be contagious to other cats, if your new cat is showing any signs of URI, please keep them separated from other cats in the household and seek medical advice from your family veterinarian.

Even though pets adopted from HSSV are fully vaccinated and examined by our staff veterinarians, you should have your family veterinarian examine your pet within 1-2 weeks of bringing your pet home.

This allows your veterinarian to establish a baseline, should your pet develop any health problems in the future. Your pet should have an annual exam with your family veterinarian, and elderly pets may need more frequent visits so they can be monitored for subtle changes or problems that can occur as your pet ages. By seeing your pet at least annually, your family veterinarian may be able to detect subtle changes and problems in your pet’s health early on. Your veterinarian can also serve as a resource for optimal nutrition, grooming, training, or behavioral concerns.

Find a veterinarian here. 

You’ve been thinking about bringing home a cat—and now the moment’s finally here! While you’re excited to start this new chapter, your new kitty might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the change. New sights, sounds, smells—it’s a lot to take in, even for the most confident cat.

You can help your new friend feel safe and settle in with just a few thoughtful steps:

1) Set up a safe place. Start your kitty off in a small, quiet room—like a bedroom or bathroom—for the first week or two. Make sure they have the basics: food, water, a litter box, some toys, a comfy bed, and a spot to hide. A smaller space helps them feel secure and adjust at their own pace.

2) Start bonding. Spending time with your cat in their safe room is a great way to start earning their trust. Play is especially helpful—aim for at least two short play sessions a day, morning and evening.

If they’re hesitant at first, that’s okay. Just sit nearby while they eat, offer some tasty treats, and give them time to get used to your presence. Gentle, positive interactions go a long way, especially for shy or nervous cats.

3) Ready to explore! When your kitty is eating well, grooming, using the litter box, and coming to you for attention, it’s a good sign they’re ready to check out more of the house. Before introducing them to the rest of your home, set your cat up for success by providing a few elevated spots can help them feel more confident. They’ll also appreciate a cozy hiding place where they can retreat and watch the world from a safe distance. Let them explore beyond their safe space and interact on their own terms—no need to rush it. New spaces can be both exciting and intimidating, so take it slow and supervise until your cat has adjusted.

Home Sweet Home

Preparing your home for your cat will encourage good behavior and help your cat feel more confident and relaxed. Before you open the door for exploration, take some time to consider what your home looks like through the eyes of your feline.

GOING UP! Felines think vertically in their space and it is very important they have options for elevated perching or resting. This can include cat trees, tables, desks, a sturdy box on the floor, or even a window sill with a kitty cot.

HIDEY HOLES: Cats and kittens like to have a safe place to watch the action. Offer places for your kitty to hide or get away when needed. You can use cat trees, covered beds, or a cardboard box to provide your kitty with safe cover. Do not pull your kitty out from their hidey hole to force an interaction as this may cause a setback as they build their trust in you.

GOOD BATHROOM HABITS: To help your new cat maintain a lasting habit of using their box, follow these guidelines:

• Place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible location
• Scoop the box daily, and replace all the litter every 1-2 weeks
• For multi-cat home, provide one litter box per cat in the home plus one

Litter box accidents are often a result of stress, including stress from transition into a new home. Be patient, and monitor your kitty. If your new cat has more than one litter box accident and you have checked all the above recommendations, contact us for advice.

A FUN HOUSE: Give your new friend ways to exercise their body and brain and provide energy outlets during the day, especially during a cat’s active bursts in between naps. The more interactive and entertaining the house is for your feline, the less likely it is that they will display unwanted behaviors. This should include:

• Scratching posts –they need to scratch and sharpen their claws
• Window perches to view the outdoors
• Tunnels, paper bags and boxes to explore
• Food games and toys, like treat balls or treats hidden in boxes
• Small toys that encourage batting and pouncing

USE POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS: Your feline should not be expected to be comfortable right away in a new place, or immediately bond to their new family. Here’s how you can help them adjust:

• Spend time daily with your cat or kitten, but do not force any interactions
• When introducing your kitty to new things or people, use treats to sweeten the deal
• Remember, Food = Good, Human= Food

Playtime

Every cat is a natural born hunter. These days you’re providing the food without the hunt; but cats of any age are still driven to stalk, pounce, jump, and chase. Daily interactive play with your cat gives them an outlet for their natural energy and helps prevent unwanted behavior. Play can also help encourage a shy cat to come out of their shell.

1. Use interactive toys such as wand toys, strings, laser pointers, etc. Don’t use your hands to play – this encourages your cat to use their mouths and paws on you, even when you may not be playing.
2. Move the toy to mimic the movement of prey creeping on the ground or flying through the air.
3. Challenge your cat and make them work for it. Some cats may need you to start slow but then you can build up the movements to keep it exciting.
4. After 10-15 minutes, start to slow down the movements of the toy and calm down the session.
5. Give them a final attack, let them catch their “prey”, and reward their effort by offering treats or a meal.
6. If your cat is still feisty after any period of activity or play, provide some cool-down time before you start petting. This gives their mind and body some time to relax and understand that play time is over.

CAT FACT: A cat’s natural routine is to hunt (play), eat, groom, sleep, and repeat. Try offering play before meal times to encourage a hearty sleep.

What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You

Cats have different levels of tolerance for petting and handling. Some can be roughly handled by a toddler and stay cool as a cucumber, while some show a higher sensitivity to their personal space. Luckily, cats will show you what they prefer when it comes to interactions.

WATCH THEIR BODY: Cats will give you signs that they’re reaching their limit of petting. When you see one or more of these indicators, refrain from petting until these signs subside:

• Tail flicking and swishing
• Quick looks back at your hand when petting
• Walking away –note that some cats won’t walk away so pay attention to other signs they are giving

OOPS, I MISSED THE SIGN: When cats get too overwhelmed with petting, and their signs of needing a break are missed, their next course of action is to use their mouth and paws.

TAKE 5! Cats can also get overwhelmed by activity in the home just as much as handling. Watch for the same signs above and offer either enrichment activities, playtime, or a break in a quiet place until the commotion is over.

CAT FACT: While a cat rolling on their back may look like an invitation for a belly rub, most cats are highly sensitive to being pet in that area. Hold off on belly rubs until you’ve gotten to know your cat’s boundaries.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Every cat is unique—some adjust to new environments quickly, while others need a little more time to feel comfortable. After setting up your home and establishing a routine with regular playtime, the most helpful thing you can offer is patience. Giving your new feline friend the space to settle in at their own pace makes a big difference. If you notice issues with behavior early on, don’t worry – it’s likely just part of the transition. With a little time, play, and understanding, your bond will grow—and so will your kitty’s comfort and confidence.

Additional Resources

• Need a little extra support? find more tips and resources to help your cat settle in and thrive here.
• Do you have behavior concerns or questions? You can contact a member of our Behavior Team at any time after adoption.

Adding another cat to your home can be a joyful and exciting experience—but it’s important to remember that it’s a big change for your current cat and your new arrival. Cats are naturally independent creatures who value their space and routine, so it can take time for them to feel comfortable around each other. But with patience, consistency, and the right approach, many cats can learn to coexist peacefully—and some may even become close companions.

The key to a successful introduction is taking it step by step. Giving each cat time to adjust, keeping things calm, and encouraging positive experiences along the way can help set everyone up for success. This guide will walk you through each phase of the process to help ensure a smooth and stress-free transition.

Basic Guidelines

Take your time and move through each step gradually—especially if either cat is older or not used to living with another feline. Older cats may take several weeks to adjust, while kittens may adapt more quickly.

• Only move on to the next step when both cats are relaxed—no hissing, growling, or signs of stress. Take it slow to prevent setbacks – patience makes a big difference.
• During this process, continue giving your resident cat plenty of attention, playtime, and reassurance. Consistent mealtimes for both cats will help create a sense of routine and promote positive associations.
• Avoid putting the cats face to face or holding them to “force” a meeting. Instead, let them take things at their own pace.
• Be sure to provide enough resources—like food bowls, water dishes, and litter boxes—for everyone. A good rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

STEP ONE: Confine the new cat to a dedicated small room

Give your new cat a dedicated room they can call their own—a small bedroom, office, or bathroom works great, especially one your current cat doesn’t frequent. Provide all the essentials: food, water, a litter box, toys, a cozy bed, and a scratching post. This quiet space allows your new cat to feel safe and get used to their new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed. It also gives both cats time to adjust to each other’s scent without direct contact. Your resident cat might sniff at the door or vocalize. That’s totally normal!

STEP TWO: Use “scented” feeding dishes

Once your new cat is feeling settled and comfortable in their space, start introducing their scent to your resident cat—and vice versa—using something they already associate with good things: food!

Take a soft cloth, rub it on one cat, and place it near the other cat’s food dish before mealtime. Then do the same for the other cat. If either cat seems hesitant to eat, try adding a tasty treat or placing the cloth a bit further from the bowl, then move it closer over time.

Repeat this at every meal, refreshing the scent each time. With several small meals each day, your cats will begin to associate each other’s scent with something positive and familiar. This step may take several days or up to two weeks—let your cats set the pace.

STEP THREE: Use close feedings

Once both cats are eating calmly with each other’s scent nearby, it’s time to feed them on opposite sides of the door to the new cat’s room. Place their bowls close to the door and let them eat at the same time.

This step helps them get used to being near each other without direct contact, and further builds positive associations. You can also use a toy under the door (like a wand toy or something on a string) to encourage playful paw interactions.

Keep repeating this step until both cats are relaxed and show no signs of stress during mealtime.

STEP FOUR: Play the Switch Game

After about 10 days—and once Step Three is going well—it’s time for a switch! Start by placing your resident cat in a separate cozy room with their favorite items. Then, open the door to your new cat’s space and let them explore the rest of the house at their own pace, under supervision. Don’t carry them—let them learn their way around on their own four paws.

After your new cat has had time to explore, return them to their safe room and let your resident cat out to roam. They’ll likely sniff around and notice that things smell a bit different—that’s okay! Let them explore and adjust.

Repeat this switch game daily until both cats seem more at ease and are acting like themselves throughout the home.

STEP FIVE: Limited Contact

Now that your cats are familiar with each other’s scents, it’s time to let them see one another—without direct contact. You can do this by stacking two baby gates in the doorway of the safe room or using doorstops to create a small, secure crack in the door (no wider than a few inches). Make sure it’s secure so no one gets stuck or startled.

This step gives the cats a chance to observe, sniff, and even play through the barrier without pressure. Continue feeding them near the barrier and engaging them with toys on either side. Over time, this can build curiosity and reduce tension.

Only move on once both cats are calm and showing friendly—or at least neutral—behavior during these visits.

STEP SIX: Let them meet casually

You’re in the home stretch! Once the cats are relaxed during visual introductions, it’s time to let them meet face to face. Start by playing with each cat separately to release extra energy, especially if one is more playful than the other.

Then, offer them a delicious meal—something special like a bit of tuna or wet food—and allow them to come together naturally. Keep things positive and low-pressure. Follow up mealtime with some group play using wand toys or other favorites.

There may still be some cautious behavior, and that’s totally normal. Let them work it out as long as it stays calm—no chasing or full-on scuffles. Continue giving them positive experiences together, and things should improve with time.

Final Comments

It’s important to make sure no one becomes the household bully. If one cat is consistently acting out or pushing boundaries, supervise all interactions and try giving that cat extra playtime before reintroducing them.

Above all, be patient and flexible. Every cat is different, and it’s okay if progress takes time. If things get off on the wrong paw, simply go back a step or two and let everyone reset. Taking the time to do this right helps ensure a peaceful, happy home for all.

Helping Dogs and Cats Live Together Peacefully

Dogs and cats really can learn to share a home—sometimes even forming sweet friendships! While they may not always be best buds, with a thoughtful approach and a little time, most dogs and cats can learn to live together comfortably.

Introducing a puppy to a kitten tends to be easier since they’re both young and open to new experiences, but even adult cats and dogs can learn to coexist with a few helpful guidelines.

1) Give Your Cat the Space to Feel in Control

Your dog may be excited to make a new friend, but your cat might not be quite as enthusiastic at first. Since dogs naturally like to chase smaller animals, it’s best to keep your dog calm and under control whenever your cat is nearby.

Use a leash indoors or ask your dog to stay in a down/stay position so your cat can explore at their own pace. This helps build your cat’s confidence and lets them know they are safe. Always praise your dog when they listen or show calm behavior around your cat.

If you’re having trouble keeping your dog under control, consider a positive reinforcement training class to help create a more peaceful, respectful dynamic between your pets.

2) Let Your Cat Make the First Move

It’s important to let your cat approach your dog when they feel ready. Don’t rush the interaction—just watch closely to ensure your dog stays calm and doesn’t try to chase.

When your cat has the freedom to investigate on their own terms (with no surprises!), they will begin to feel more comfortable and realize that their new housemate isn’t so scary after all.

3) Provide Safe Spaces for Your Cat

If your cat wants to keep their distance for a while, that’s completely normal. Give them a quiet room they can retreat to, with their food, water, toys, and litter box safely out of the dog’s reach.

Letting your cat take things at their own speed—without pressure—helps build trust. Some cats may need up to 8 to 10 weeks to fully adjust, and that’s okay!

4) Keep Them Separated When You’re Not Home

Until you’re confident that your dog and cat are relaxed and respectful around each other, it’s best to keep them separated when unsupervised.

You can give your cat a cozy room of their own, or crate your dog in a secure and comfortable space to keep everyone feeling safe during this transition.

5) Celebrate Good Behavior

When your dog stays calm as your cat walks by or allows them to come closer without reacting—let them know they are doing a great job!

Use lots of praise and a cheerful tone: “Good dog! You’re doing great!” Positive reinforcement helps your dog learn that staying calm around the cat earns them rewards and love.

6) Give Your Dog Healthy Outlets for Energy

Dogs often need an outlet for their playful energy. Provide plenty of daily exercise and encourage fun, safe activities like playing fetch or tug.

Redirecting your dog’s chase instinct toward toys instead of the cat helps them to focus their excitement safely. A well-exercised dog is more relaxed—and a better housemate for your cat.

Use this handy visual guide to help decode your cat’s behavior! Get a downloadable version here.