A Decision That Didn’t Happen Overnight

In 2023, we adopted a 45‑day‑old kitten. Even today, when I think back to that time, it feels a little surreal.

It wasn’t an impulsive decision. In fact, it was one of the most thoughtful and emotionally layered decisions we had made as a couple.

We had only recently started building a life of our own. After years of living with family, we had just moved into a new house. It had barely been a few months, and everything still felt new — our routines, our responsibilities, even the quietness of the house.

And somewhere during that phase of figuring things out, the idea of adopting a kitten slowly entered our lives.

When Curiosity Turned Into Something More

Like many people who start considering adoption, we began casually browsing Facebook pages dedicated to kitten and cat adoptions.

At first, it was just curiosity.

We would scroll through photos of rescued kittens, read their stories, and move on.

Until one day, we came across a post that made us pause.

A woman who lived not very far from us had posted about a tiny kitten she had rescued from the parking lot of her building. The kitten had been abandoned, and the area had several stray dogs. Worried about his safety, she brought him home.

She took him to the vet, ensured he had no injuries, dewormed him, and even began his vaccination journey.

She had already done so much to give him a safe start.

But she already had a cat at home, and anyone who has had cats knows how territorial they can be. Keeping another one permanently wasn’t going to work for her.

That tiny rescued kitten was Gogo.

Before Meeting Him, We Had To Be Sure

We decided to arrange a meeting with the rescuer.

But before doing that, we wanted to be absolutely certain we were ready.

Because bringing a kitten home isn’t just about the excitement of a cute new companion.

It’s about commitment.

Preparing Our Home (and Our Minds)

Once the idea started feeling real, we began preparing in small but meaningful ways.

The First Purchase

The first thing we bought was a litter box and litter sand.

It seemed like a simple purchase, but somehow it made everything feel real. The idea that a tiny creature might soon live in our home suddenly didn’t feel hypothetical anymore.

Cat‑Proofing the House

Next came making the house safe.

We installed mosquito and pigeon nets on our windows to ensure he wouldn’t accidentally slip out. Anyone who has seen a kitten explore knows how fearless — and unaware — they can be.

We also checked and closed small gaps and open spaces around the house where a tiny kitten could squeeze into and potentially get stuck.

The Conversations That Mattered Most

But the most important preparation didn’t involve buying anything.

It involved long, honest conversations.

We talked about everything:

• The pros and cons of adopting a kitten
• Feeding routines
• Litter responsibilities
• Vet visits and vaccinations
• Daily care and attention

Since we are vegetarians, we also had to think through how we would manage a pet whose dietary needs are very different from ours.

To understand the practical side better, we reached out to other couples who had adopted cats together. Hearing their experiences helped us understand the adjustments, routines, and unexpected joys that come with pet parenting.

The Question We Asked Ourselves Repeatedly

Throughout the process, we kept asking ourselves one honest question:

Are we truly ready for this?

We had already taken a big step by moving into our own home and starting life independently. Adopting a kitten would mean another shift — from being just the two of us to becoming a family of three.

Alongside these conversations, we also spent hours researching kitten care, vaccinations, feeding, and behavior.

One thing became very clear during this time:

Adopting a cat is not a short‑term decision. It’s a commitment that can last 10 to 18 years.

What This Preparation Phase Taught Us

If there’s one thing this process taught us, it’s this:

Before bringing a pet home, you need to really talk with your partner and family.

A pet isn’t just an addition to your house.

They become part of your family. Their routines, their needs, and their wellbeing become intertwined with your everyday life.

Making sure everyone is ready to share the responsibility, patience, and love is one of the most important steps before adoption.

And Then Came The Moment…

Little did we know that all these preparations were only the beginning.

Because soon, we would finally go and meet Gogo for the first time — a moment that would change our lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined. 🐾