New apartment, new job, new kitty: bonding / vacation

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice about my future feline friend.

I am going to be moving out on my own for the first time on August 5th. I really really really want to adopt a kitten. I've always loved cats and I can't wait to spoil one of my own.

However, my new job starts on August 17th and I will be leaving for training in Orlando from August 19th-28th.

Basically I have 2 options:

I can adopt my new baby on Saturday August 6th or Monday August 8th. That way I will be able to be with her 24/7 for a week and a half until my job starts on the 17th. My boyfriend would be with me as much as he could during that time so the kitty would get used to him, then he would stay in my apartment and watch her while I am gone for training from the 19th-28th. He does work so he wouldn't be in the apartment all day.

Or, I could wait until I get back from training and adopt her on a Friday after work and have all of Saturday and Sunday together. However, with this option, I'd have to leave her alone sooner- I work M-F 9-6.

I'm afraid if I get her before I start work we will not have as strong of a bond as there should be before leaving her for 10 days- that she might forget me or it might create a setback in our bonding together. I'm also afraid that we might bond extensively and she would be upset or anxious that I was gone. We would have about 9 - 11 full days to bond together with this option. However, if I waited to adopt her after I got back from training, we would only have about 2.5 full days together before leaving for work for 8 hours a day.

Which do you guys think is the better option? I reeeaaaaallllllyyyyy want to adopt my new friend as soon as possible, but of course I want to keep her best interests at heart. I don't want her to be stressed that I would be gone for 10 days, but then again, I also don't want her to be stressed after I'm gone for a few hours after 2.5 days either Mom thinks I should wait until after training to adopt, but I'd be so crushed to have to leave her all alone in a relatively new place.

It' always hard to know exactly what the right thing is in a situation like this but if it were me, I would adopt the kitten before the trip.  I think having someone there 24/7 for the first week and a half would really work out well.  Having that much time gives you a chance to get her used to being alone bit by bit rather than suddenly having you gone for hours every day while you are at work.  You could leave her for one hour one day, two hours the next etc. It also means you are there in case there are any unexpected problems.

The fact that your boyfriend will live there with her and she will have the chance to get to know him first is really ideal.  Even though he will be gone during the day for work, the same would be true if you waited to get her after your trip.

The above just has to do with someone being on site; the bonding is another issue.  I don't think that she would forget you in the space of 10 days.  Yes it's an interruption in the bonding process but you are coming back and will be with her after that.  She's young and will be able to adapt. 

As to the possibility of her bonding so strongly with you that she suffers from severe separation anxiety if you leave, this actually is a potential problem.  So much depends on the personality of the individual kitten, it is hard to know before hand if it will be an issue.  This is why having the lengthy time together where you can gradually get her used to your absence might make the most sense.  

One thing you might consider, if it's feasible, is to adopt two kittens at once.  It sounds like you already have a kitten picked out.  Will there be other siblings from the same litter looking for a home?  A second kitten is not something to be undertaken lightly, it's just sometimes a good solution to your concerns.

There is one point that argues against bringing her home sooner.  How old will she be on August 6th?  If she's less than 8 weeks, it would be better for her to have the extra time with her mom and siblings.  Before 8 weeks, your kitten will be learning important lessons in how to be a cat from her siblings and Momma.

This is a very exciting time and it's great that you're preparing so well.  I hope once your little girl is at home you will let us know how she's doing and post photos of her! 

I'm actually going to be on the opposite side of Margd and suggest adopting once you return from your trip. Especially with a kitten, I can see it bonding with your boyfriend during the 10 days your are gone.

I am, however, going to agree that, if at all possible, getting 2 bonded/littermate kittens is absolutely the way to go. They will have each other to romp and play with while you are at work (can help cut down on boredom a d separation anxiety). Both kittens will still bond with you, so now need to worry there!

Having the weekend to get the kitten(s) adjusted is going to be just fine. It/they will adjust to your work schedule.

Thanks so much for you guys' input. It's a really hard decision and I keep going back and forth in my mind of what I think I should do!

I'd absolutely love to get a second kitten, but unfortunately, I won't have the financial means to double the food, vet, litter, etc costs. I don't want there to be any possibility that I would have to sacrifice anything related to their health due to not having enough money. I really really wish I could get two, though.That really would be the best option if I had the financial ability to do so.

I don't have him/her picked out yet, I just used the "she" pronoun in my first post probably because I'm used to my female kitty back home! I would like to adopt a young kitty, but we'll see who I connect with at the shelter I will definitely make sure the kitty is older than 8 weeks though, for the reasons you suggested. It's going to be extremely difficult just choosing one and not choosing them all! 

It is a difficult choice but I suspect you will make the right decision.  You're considering everything carefully in advance so hopefully everything will go smoothly.  I'm really glad to hear you're going to a shelter to adopt your new family member.  Just to let you know, cats often have a way of picking us, rather than the other way around.  I once came out of the shelter with a cat nothing like what I was looking for, but he knew best.  The volunteer asked me to hold him and before I knew it he had crawled up my arms and nestled his head under my chin and started to purr.  I've heard of lots of other stories like that, too.  

Don't forget to introduce us to your new baby when she or he comes home!  

In my experience, cats don't forget people; they're pretty smart! I'd take two solid days of bonding, but I'm sure you'll fit together fine.

Update: I got my baby!! She's the most precious thing ever I already love her so much <3 I can't decide on a perfect name for her, it's such a big decision! I'm thinking of just baby, because that's what I've been calling her, but that name just seems too generic and of course she won't be a baby forever (even though she'll always be my baby )

Awwwwww what a cutie!!! [emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128571[/emoji]