About the Podcast

We were recently featured on a podcast for a Rowan University student’s digital journalism project with Animal Altruism.

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify.

Animal Altruism aims to inform the public about organizations throughout the region that contribute to the well-being of animals. We show the impact these organizations have on the community, the animals and people that benefit from them, and the most beneficial ways to support each group.

To find out more about Animal Altruism with Abigail Twiford, you can visit her website.

Podcast Guests

Melyssa and Joyce are two of our volunteers. Melyssa is the President of our board and Volunteer Coordinator. She regularly works Friday nights with Joyce who has been with our organization since 2019. She works during the day at a vet’s office and can’t get enough of our adoptable cats.

If you’re interested in volunteering with For Kitty’s Sake and being hands-on in our adoption center, we encourage you to fill out a volunteer application now.

Volunteers can help us with fundraising opportunities, like tabling events, participating in our bake sales, or help plan bigger fundraising events or work hands-on with the cats in our adoption center – or both! We rely on a strong team of volunteers to give a better/improved quality of life to animals in need in Gloucester County and surrounding areas.

Helping Your New Cat Settle In

When you bring a new cat home, it’s natural to want them to feel comfortable right away. But if your cat heads straight under the bed and stays there, that doesn’t mean something is wrong with them or that you made the wrong choice. It means they’re a cat in a brand new world, and they need a little time to figure out that it’s safe.

Think about what they’ve just been through. Before arriving at your home, they may have been examined by a veterinarian, placed in a carrier, taken a car ride, and dropped into a space full of completely unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. At our adoption center, our cats get used to their surroundings, their feeding schedule, the volunteers who visit, and yes, the low background hum of Bon Jovi. Taking them out of that and placing them directly into a new home with people they’ve only just met is a significant transition, even for a confident cat.

What Normal Looks Like

As long as your cat is eating, drinking, and using the litter box, even from the depths of a hiding spot, they are generally doing fine. Many cats venture out at night when the house is quiet and the world feels less overwhelming. If you’re not sure whether your cat has been moving around, try dusting a little baby powder near the entrance to their hiding spot and check for paw prints in the morning.

How to Help

Give them a home base. Set your cat up in one room to start. Let them get used to how that space sounds and smells before introducing the rest of the house. Hold off on introducing friends, family, and other pets until your cat has come out of hiding on their own terms.

Spend quiet time near them. If your cat is under the bed or tucked behind the bathroom sink, simply sit in the room with them. Read a book, work on your laptop, let them hear your voice and get used to your presence without any pressure to interact.

Connect yourself with good things. If your cat is food motivated, push a little wet food or a few treats toward their hiding spot a few times a day, and sit quietly nearby while they eat. You’re not forcing interaction; you’re building an association between your presence and something they enjoy.

Try soft background music. Playing gentle classical music in their room can help mask unfamiliar sounds from the rest of the house that might be keeping them on edge.

The 3-3-3 Framework

Every cat moves at their own pace, but this general timeline can help set realistic expectations.

3 Days to Decompress Your cat may feel overwhelmed and unsure. They might not eat much, hide consistently, or seem shut down. This is normal. The world just changed completely for them.

3 Weeks to Learn Your Routine Your cat begins to settle in. They start to understand the rhythms of your household, let their guard down a little, and show glimpses of their true personality. This is also when some behavior quirks may appear as they start to feel secure enough to test boundaries.

3 Months to Feel at Home By around three months, most cats have fully arrived. They feel safe, they trust you, and the bond between you is real. This is when the cat you were hoping for truly shows up.

Be patient with the process. The cat hiding under your bed right now may be the same cat curled up in your lap three months from now. They just need to get there on their own terms.

If you have questions along the way, we’re here. Reach out to us anytime.

Start searching immediately. The sooner you begin, the better your chances. Walk your neighborhood and the area where your pet was last seen, and let your neighbors know who they’re looking for.

Use their senses to guide them back. Leave their litterbox outside near your door. Their own scent is one of the most powerful things you can use to help them find their way home.

Search smart, not just during the day. Call your pet’s name and check any spots they could have gotten trapped, like basements, garages, or under vehicles. Lost and frightened cats often go into hiding during daylight hours, so go back out at night with a flashlight. You may find them when the neighborhood quiets down.

Bring food. A can of their favorite food can go a long way toward coaxing a scared, hungry cat out of hiding.

Check your microchip paperwork. Make sure your contact information is current. If you adopted from us, we handled your pet’s initial microchip registration and gave you everything you need to keep it up to date. If you’re unsure of your chip provider, check your adoption paperwork or call us and we’ll help you figure it out.

Visit local shelters in person, every day. Don’t rely on phone calls alone. Shelter staff are doing their best, but a face-to-face visit gives you the chance to search yourself. Check with every animal control agency in your town and surrounding areas at least every two days, as animal control officers regularly pick up strays and bring them in.

Cast a wide digital net. Post on local Facebook lost and found pet groups, and use the Nextdoor app to alert your immediate neighbors. These communities are incredibly responsive when a pet is missing.

Use national locator services. These free resources connect people who have found pets with people who are searching:

• PetFinder
• PawBoost
• Petco Love Lost

Put up flyers. Use a clear, recent photo and post signs in your neighborhood and at post offices, libraries, pet supply stores, vet offices, and grocery stores. If you create a PawBoost account, they’ll generate a flyer for you automatically. Don’t forget to notify your vet and groomer directly so they’re on alert if someone calls in a found cat.

Watch the “found” ads closely. A week outside can change a cat’s appearance dramatically. A white cat may look dingy gray. Read every description carefully and respond to anything that could be a match, even if it’s not a perfect fit.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here for you.

Helpful Numbers If Your Pet Goes Missing

• For Kitty’s Sake: (856) 318-6870
• HomeAgain Microchip: 1-888-466-3242
• Gloucester County Animal Shelter / Animal Control: (856) 881-2828
• Camden County Animal Shelter / Animal Control: (856) 401-1300

If you have questions or need support, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.

The good news is that your cat doesn’t need the outdoors to live a full, enriched life. Experts tell us that cats actually meet most of their exercise needs through the deep, full-body stretches they do throughout the day. Add in a climbing tree, a scratching post, and some engaging toys, and you’ve got a cat who is mentally stimulated and physically healthy without ever stepping a paw outside.

The risks outside are serious. If your cat gets out, even briefly, they could face:

• Being struck by a car
• Exposure to fatal illnesses like feline leukemia, feline AIDS, or rabies
• Theft, including being sold to research labs or used to train fighting dogs
• Attack by dogs or other animals, with wounds that go untreated
• Accidental or intentional poisoning from pesticides, plants, or people who mean harm
• Being mistaken for wildlife and shot
• Getting caught in a trap
• Picking up fleas, ticks, or intestinal parasites
• Conflict with neighbors over lawn use or hunting of birds and small animals
• Being picked up by a stranger and left miles from home

We share this not to frighten you, but because we believe informed cat owners make the best advocates for their pets.

If Your Cat Does Get Out

Being prepared ahead of time makes all the difference.

Identification. Make sure your cat wears a breakaway collar with an ID tag at all times. Breakaway collars are designed to release if caught on something, which prevents injuries. Check the fit regularly, especially in younger cats who are still growing. It should be snug but comfortable.

The litter box trick. Place your cat’s litter box just outside your door. The scent of their own urine is a powerful homing signal and can help draw them back.

Flea and tick treatment. If your cat gets outside, even for a short time, treat them for fleas and ticks right away. Ask your vet for a product that’s specifically labeled for cats.

Travel safety. Any time your cat leaves the house, use a fully latched carrier. Even the most calm and cuddly cat can startle and bolt when frightened. A carrier keeps them secure no matter what.

Keeping Them Happy Indoors

A bored cat is more likely to make a run for it, so enrichment matters. Cats go wild for scratching posts, crinkly paper bags, catnip toys, and anything that moves or makes noise. Interactive toys that simulate hunting can satisfy that instinct without any of the risk. A window perch with a good view and a sunny spot to nap in can do more for a cat’s happiness than a roam around the block ever could.

If you have questions about keeping your cat safe and enriched indoors, we’d love to help. Reach out to us anytime.

Cat and Kitten Care

Welcoming a cat into your home is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. Whether this is your first cat or your fifth, knowing how to meet their needs sets the foundation for a long, healthy, and happy life together. Here’s everything you need to know.

Diet and Feeding

Kittens have big nutritional needs to support all that growing. Up to one year of age, they should be fed three to four times throughout the day. Adult cats (one year and older) do well with a quarter to a third of a cup of food once or twice daily.

Fresh, clean water should always be available. One thing to skip: cow’s milk. Despite the classic image, milk is not recommended for cats and can cause digestive upset and diarrhea.

Identification

Even indoor cats should wear a breakaway collar with an ID tag at all times. Breakaway collars are designed to release if they get snagged on something, which keeps your cat from getting hurt. Check the fit regularly and adjust as your cat grows. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to slip two fingers underneath comfortably.

Grooming

Brush your cat regularly to reduce shedding and help prevent hairballs. If hairballs become a recurring issue, a hairball remedy can help and is available at PetSmart. Your vet can also recommend options based on your cat’s specific needs.

Ear Care

Check your cat’s ears often for dirt or signs of ear mites, which can cause discomfort and lead to infection if left untreated. Clean them gently using an ear cleaning solution recommended by your veterinarian.

Nail Care

Plan to trim your cat’s nails about every two weeks. Keeping a scratching post accessible at all times gives your cat a healthy outlet for that instinct and helps protect your furniture. Many cats will naturally gravitate to the post if it’s introduced early.

Litter Box

Your cat’s litter box should live somewhere quiet and private, away from their food and water. Keep it clean and accessible at all times. A good baseline is one litter box per cat in your home, though many cats appreciate having an extra option available.

Exercise and Play

Cats are natural hunters and they need outlets for that energy. Scratching posts, crinkly paper bags, catnip toys, and balls are all favorites. Interactive toys that mimic prey movement are especially satisfying for them. Just make sure toys are safe: avoid anything with small bells they could swallow or strings and yarn that could cause serious internal damage if ingested.

Environment and Safety

We strongly recommend keeping your cat indoors. The outside world poses real risks, including cars, theft, poisoning, disease, and injury from other animals. An indoor cat is a protected cat, and with the right enrichment at home, they truly don’t miss what they never had.

Transportation

Whenever your cat needs to travel, use a fully latched carrier. Even the most relaxed cat can startle in an unfamiliar environment, and a frightened cat can leap from your arms before you realize what’s happening. A secure carrier keeps everyone safe.

Flea and Tick Prevention

Use only flea and tick prevention products that are specifically labeled for cats and recommended by your veterinarian. Products made for dogs can be toxic to cats, so this is one area where it’s always worth checking with your vet first.

Veterinary Care

Plan for an annual wellness visit with your veterinarian for a physical exam and any recommended vaccinations. Cats are skilled at hiding discomfort, so regular checkups are one of the most important things you can do to catch anything early and keep them feeling their best.

If you have questions about caring for your new cat or kitten, we’re always here to help. Reach out to us anytime.

Why You Might Want to Adopt Two Cats Instead of One

The Case for Two

Better behavior, naturally. Cats with a companion tend to be more socially well-adjusted. They’re less likely to exhibit the kinds of behaviors that worry new owners: shyness, biting, hissing, or hiding whenever a guest comes through the door.

A healthier brain. Cats need stimulation just like we do. Studies have shown that animals left alone for most of the day can develop brains that weigh significantly less than those with regular social interaction and enrichment. A companion keeps their mind engaged in ways that toys alone simply can’t replicate.

A healthier body. Two cats keep each other moving. That natural play and activity makes them far less prone to weight gain and the health problems that can come with a sedentary life indoors.

Your furniture will thank you. A bored cat is a destructive cat. A cat with a friend is a cat who has better things to do.

The workload barely changes. Two food bowls, one more litter box. The daily care of two cats is not significantly more demanding than caring for one, especially once they’ve settled into a routine together.

They’ll be okay when you’re away. Long hours at work or a quick trip out of town is much less stressful for two cats than for one. They keep each other company and tend to be calmer and more settled during your absence.

Lower return rates. Cats adopted as a pair are less likely to be returned due to behavior problems than cats adopted alone. That adjustment period is simply easier when they have each other.

They stay playful longer. A companion keeps a cat engaged and youthful well into their senior years. It’s one of the sweetest things to watch.

You don’t need more space. Cats are remarkably adaptable. A second cat doesn’t require a bigger home, just a little more love.

And one more thing: at For Kitty’s Sake, we waive the adoption fee for the second cat.

If you’re curious about the bonded pairs we currently have available, or just want to talk through whether two cats might be right for your household, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us anytime.