Changes

* Before moving the cat to its new home, some of the cat’s [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|'''flank and facial odours''']] should be harvested onto a clean cloth and placed into a sealed bag ready to use in the new home.

* Before moving the cat to its new home, some of the cat’s [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|'''flank and facial odours''']] should be harvested onto a clean cloth and placed into a sealed bag ready to use in the new home.

* Use the cloth to transfer facial and flank odours to furniture in this room of the new home.

* Use the cloth to transfer facial and flank odours to furniture in this room of the new home.

* When transferring the cat, other items that will carry some of the cat’s facial and flank odour marks (bedding, resting places) should be brought with.  

* When transferring the cat, other items that will carry some of the cat’s facial and flank odour marks (bedding, resting places) should be brought with the cat.  

* Allow the cat to explore the new room by opening the cat basket. The cat should be able to return to the basket if it desires. The cat should not be pulled out of the basket or coaxed.

* Allow the cat to explore the new room by opening the cat basket. The cat should be able to return to the basket if it desires. The cat should not be pulled out of the basket or coaxed.

* Do not allow access to the rest of the house until the cat is completely relaxed in this first room. This may take several hours or even a few days. The cat should be relaxed, playful and approachable.

* Do not allow access to the rest of the house until the cat is completely relaxed in this first room. This may take several hours or even a few days. The cat should be relaxed, playful and approachable.

====Introducing the Cats to Each Other ====

====Introducing the Cats to Each Other ====

Stage 1: '''Scent introduction''':

'''Stage 1: ''Scent introduction''''':

* Prepare several disposable cloths, each labelled with one cat’s name.

* Prepare several disposable cloths, each labelled with one cat’s name.

* Use each labelled cloth daily to collect the scent from the face and sides of the body of the cat with whose name it has been labelled. Do this each day. The cloths must not be mixed up and should be stored separately in plastic bags or wallets to prevent scent transferring between them.

* Use each labelled cloth daily to collect the scent from the face and sides of the body of the cat with whose name it has been labelled. Do this each day. The cloths must not be mixed up and should be stored separately in plastic bags or wallets to prevent scent transferring between them.

* With repeated presentation of the scent on the cloths each cat should come to ignore the smell and should start to react positively to it by rubbing against the hand wrapped in the cloth. When all cats are reacting in this way it is time to move on to stage 2.

* With repeated presentation of the scent on the cloths each cat should come to ignore the smell and should start to react positively to it by rubbing against the hand wrapped in the cloth. When all cats are reacting in this way it is time to move on to stage 2.

Stage 2: '''Scent swapping''':

'''Stage 2: ''Scent swapping''''':

* After collecting the odour from the cats in the usual way (from face and flanks), the cloths should be put together in a single bag so that scent from them mixes.

* After collecting the odour from the cats in the usual way (from face and flanks), the cloths should be put together in a single bag so that scent from them mixes.

* This combined scent is then used in the same way as in stage 1.

* This combined scent is then used in the same way as in stage 1.

* Once all cats are accepting this new odour and are actively rubbing against the cloth and the other objects that have been marked with the cloth then it is time to move on to stage 3.

* Once all cats are accepting this new odour and are actively rubbing against the cloth and the other objects that have been marked with the cloth then it is time to move on to stage 3.

Stage 3: '''Allowing the new cat to explore''':

'''Stage 3: ''Allowing the new cat to explore''''':

* The new cat should be allowed to explore the rest of the house while the resident cats are excluded or shut into a separate room. This allows the new cat to learn all of the hiding and escape places so that, as the cats start to meet in person, it does not feel vulnerable.

* The new cat should be allowed to explore the rest of the house while the resident cats are excluded or shut into a separate room. This allows the new cat to learn all of the hiding and escape places so that, as the cats start to meet in person, it does not feel vulnerable.

* Once the new cat is confidently using the feeding, resting and toilet places in the rest of the home then it is time to move on to the next stage.

* Once the new cat is confidently using the feeding, resting and toilet places in the rest of the home then it is time to move on to the next stage.

Stage 4: '''Limited face to face introduction''':

'''Stage 4: ''Limited face to face introduction''''':

* The cats need to begin to see each other in a way that minimises the risk of aggression. A glass door or mesh screen are best, but some child gates are made from mesh that provides a partial barrier. Mesh barriers are the best, because they allow the cats to smell each other. If neither is possible then a partly opened door may be used (open just enough that the cats can see each other but not get through).

* The cats need to begin to see each other in a way that minimises the risk of aggression. A glass door or mesh screen are best, but some child gates are made from mesh that provides a partial barrier. Mesh barriers are the best, because they allow the cats to smell each other. If neither is possible then a partly opened door may be used (open just enough that the cats can see each other but not get through).

* Give the cats their food on either side of the screen or doorway at their normal feeding times, or distract them with a game.

* Give the cats their food on either side of the screen or doorway at their normal feeding times, or distract them with a game.