Welcoming Your New Family Member
The big day has arrived—it's time to bring your new family member home. Prepare for the arrival ahead of time, so that you can devote the day to the cat's peace of mind. Remember to make plans to take him to the veterinarian for a checkup within the first twenty-four hours; meanwhile, keep him isolated from other cats.

Picking up Your New Cat
It's easy to get swept up in the excitement when picking up a new pet, so it's a good idea to prepare a checklist reminding you to get the following information from the breeder or shelter: a list of the vaccinations, parasite treatments, and any special tests the cat has had; the name and telephone number of the veterinarian who has examined the cat; the name of the food the cat has been eating; the type of litter he's been using; pedigree and breed association papers, if applicable; and the shelter or breeder contract.

Bring along a cat carrier lined with a soft, absorbent, washable material. Either place the carrier on the car seat and secure it with a safety belt or put it on the floor of the car.