Advice about adopting a cat or cats?

just checking in on this thread, i've been away for a week. Please update us ASAP once you decide, no matter what you decide it will be awesome. And we are here to help! Can't wait!

Update: I just moved into my condo this week and finished unpacking everything, and today I went to the local shelter. There were so many gorgeous kitties needing loving homes . I asked a shelter employee to recommend some cats that had a gentle disposition to me, and she pointed out two orange boys (one orange tabby, one orange on top and white on the bottom) housed in a tiny cage together. They aren't brothers, as far as the shelter is aware, but they were brought in together, along with a black female cat who's no longer at the shelter, by someone who moved and couldn't take their cats (why do people do that? So many of the non-kitten cats in the shelter were brought in by owners who moved away...poor babies). I interacted with the two boys in the meeting rooms...poor boys were scared because they could smell the scent of previous dogs that had been in that room, and they could hear and see some unruly dogs through the window overlooking the lobby, but they were affectionate toward me, rubbing against me occasionally and putting their tails up when I pet them. I didn't see any fighting or even mildly aggressive behavior between the two - they huddled against each other in the corner at one point, and a butt-sniff I saw wasn't countered with a swipe, a hiss, or an angry meow. Neither one seemed jealous when I was petting the other one. Back in their cage they were more comfortable - the more curious one (the orange tabby) even jumped out of the cage when the door was ajar to sniff other cats! Eventually they both curled up in the cage and closed their eyes to rest, which reminded me of our Lipso (who I'm missing terribly ). The shelter employee said they've been very calm since being brought to the shelter about 10 days ago, and that neither one seems dominant over the other (I couldn't tell dominance either - I'm guessing the third kitty - the black female - was dominant when the three lived together? I wonder if the boys will change their behavior patterns once it's just the two of them?)

Anyway, I signed papers to adopt the two of them, and I pick them up tomorrow (I have a lot of kitty stuff to buy before then!). They are both five years old, which is a bit older than I had envisioned, but then again the 1- and 2-year old kitties I saw were quite feisty, whereas these two seem more calm and settled-down and will hopefully be OK with me being gone for long hours. I am both nervous and excited about bringing them home with me tomorrow...I hope they will grow to like it here, because my new place feels kinda lonely when I'm by myself.

I'll post pictures soon...there are some pics of them from the shelter website, but they both look so sad and forlorn in those shots .

Congrats on the new kitties! We do love pics - and thank you for choosing "older" adults.....as they are often the ones who do not get homes.

Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see pics in their forever home

Sounds like you got a great deal. for a smooth transition to their new home. Can't wait to see pictures.

thank you for picking them, they sound wonderful. If you have any questions about the transition this is the place to ask!

i am so glad you went for adult cats, they will give you so much back and having 2 will help when you are out.

I just brought them home. They're both in hiding - one behind the refrigerator (I hope he can get out!) and one under my couch. I understand they must be traumatized from their move and a brand new environment....I hope they grow to like it here eventually.

It turns out they are both front-declawed (the shelter told me yesterday that only one of them was), so I'll have to return the scratching pad I bought this morning. No health problems though - I am thankful for that.

Congratulations!!! I am so glad you got two adults... They will love you just as much, and will be much much less trouble! You pretty much saved their lives too, as older kitties are hard to be adopted
Now the fun begins! Below are a few advices - I am sorry If I am redundant, and if you already know it, but I thought it might be good to make it available for you at this thread in case you have trouble with them adapting to their new place...
First thing to always remember: Everything on their own pace - they are the bosses of you now .
If they are on the same room, spend a lot of time with them in the room - you can interact with them with a wand, just rubbing on their cheeks and talking gently... It is best that you keep them at a small room at first, with a place to hide - a bathroom or a bedroom works... Put one litter box, water and food in that room. Sit down and read... Just hang out and read out loud as long as you can... This will make them more comfortable around you.
Do not freak out if they don't eat, drink or use the box for a day or 2 - they usually take some time to feel relaxed enough to eat.
Today, keep them inside of the room for a while, and then open the door - they will start exploring when they feel like it.
You can lure them from inside of their hiding place with a tray of treats...
Let them come to you, and they will trust you much easier.
Good luck, and congrats!

Both kitties came out of hiding tonight once it was dark! They let me brush them with a newly-bought kitty brush too, and they both seemed to enjoy it. The orange and white boy was sitting comfortably under the kitchen table...the orange tabby meows sometimes, and he's been exploring (at the shelter I noticed he was a curious kitty!). I am leaving them to explore on their own terms while I go to bed. Goodnight you all!

Good Deal!!! Congrats!!

Yay!!! I'm so glad you got older kitties and that you got two of them. They will definitely keep each other company while you are gone.

Can't wait to see pics!

So last night they both came out and prowled around, and they let me pet them, brush them, and give them treats. The two kitties probably used the same litterbox, since at different hours I cleaned out two pees and a dump. Last night they were quite noisy exploring the place - I saw them jump on tall furniture and even slide/open some doors (the closet doors were ajar; this morning some of the stuff in my bathroom under-sink cabinet was out of place too).

Now this morning, I am kind of panicking because I can't find either kitty! I have searched everywhere I can think of, because I know kitties are master hiders, but no luck! I guess they got scared by daylight and went back into hiding, but I wish I could find them to check if they're OK .

They can be master hiders, that's for sure, although I understand your worry. It might not be a bad idea to lock them into one room where you can always find them. That way they can get comfortable with the smells/sounds/you and you don't have to worry as much! (mostly for you peace of mind)

Keep us updated, sounds likeyou're doing great....

If you've not already taken the scratcher back, you might want to keep it or exchange it for a carpet covered scratcher. I have a declawed kitty (came that way) and she LOVES to "scratch" on her carpeted scratcher. Not only do they use these to scratch, they also scratch to mark their territory and put their scent on things. She used to prefer a cardboard scratcher, but now she likes the carpeted one.

PS~Have you found the kitties yet? They are VERY good at hiding and keeping quiet!

Edit: I uploaded pics, but they're not showing up.

I found them both yesterday morning - Emmo was in the office bathroom cabinent, and soon afterward I heard Tigger clomping around. They went back to being hidden (maybe just sleeping?) when I went out; I didn't see Emmo until late afternoon, though Tigger made some appearances wanting attention. They are both very affectionate, rubbing against me, falling at my feet and purring. Tigger jumped in my lap briefly as well. I am trying my best to give them both equal attention, and so when they're in the same place as me both wanting attention, I pet one, then the other, and so on.

Yesterday evening they were both out and about. Tigger jumped on my dresser, and Emmo laid at the foot of my bed. But then just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard the two of them fighting outside my room - some angry-sounding meows and some hisses. I closed off my room because I didn't want them to drag the fight into my room. This morning I couldn't find Emmo, but Tigger came out and was super-affectionate and didn't want to leave my side.

I wonder what they were fighting about? Routine cat play-fighting? I wonder if it was a fight for dominance? Tigger is larger and more outgoing, so maybe he's taking over the dominant cat role? Before they've been using the same litterbox (though I've set up two for them several feet away from each other in the same room) and covering up their business, but today there was a dump in there that was only partially covered...I heard before that the dominant cat doesn't cover up his business, but the non-dominant ones do - does that true for you multiple cat owners?

Some cats cover their business, some cats don't. I don't attribute it to dominant/non-dominant.

They may have been scuffling as they are in a large enough space & still not sure of themselves, they just fought with the other animal they saw in defense mode.

Photos! (click to enlarge):

Tigger:
http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/emiliacc/?action=view&current=P8092211resized.jpg

Emmo:
http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/emiliacc/?action=view&current=P8092214resized.jpg

Both kitties sitting by my front door their first night home:
http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/emiliacc/?action=view&current=P8082208resized.jpg

Awww... look how cute they are!!!

Oh, they're both so handsome! And thank you for keeping an open mind, and for adopting 'older' kitties. Don't forget, with luck, a lot of cats live 15-20 years - mine were about 4 years old when I adopted, and the vet called them 'young' cats. And, you'll be surprised how they'll bond to you - my two welcome me at the front door every night and follow me around til they decide I'm staying in for the night, and my boy is particularly affectionate regarding lap sitting and snuggling up at night. My girl does not like to sit in laps or be carried - but she loves to be brushed and can be quite demanding about being petted, when she wants to be petted!

My two came front-declawed, but they still enjoy scratching posts, etc. Also, some cats cover and some don't - a lot of behaviorists do say that it can be territorial and a dominance deal...but sometimes I think certain kitties just never got the idea. My boy never seems to cover - and didn't in the shelter either, from what I understand.

And, yeah, you'll get good at the even handed petting and handing out of treats! And, yes, I can promise there will be days when you're trying to do a head-count, and can't find them - nothing like that to get your heart going. Even though these are adults, please be very very careful about starting major appliances until you know where they are - like the washer or dryer. And, BTW, you can get baby locks at Target for some of the those doors and cupboards....

Oh, whatever they were eating at the shelter - keep going with that, and make a gradual transition to a different food, should you choose to do so. And, bet you already have that first vet exam done or scheduled!

It sounds like you're doing great - just continue to let them come to you at their own pace..I found reading Harry Potter out loud when I first got them, and not maintaining eye contact, really made them feel at ease about approaching me - that and the treats, I think!