Not a test you pass or fail. 26 honest checks on the things that decide whether a cat adoption sticks, including the Australian cat laws for your state, with a saved list you can work through at your own pace.
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Author: LocalPetFinder Team
The short answer
You are ready for a cat when you can scoop a litter tray and play with a cat every day, your home is free of lilies and secure enough to keep a new cat inside, you know your state's microchip, registration, desexing and containment rules, you can afford around $1,090 to $1,640 a year (RSPCA NSW's estimate, read 11 November 2026, reference only, not a quote) plus an emergency, and you can commit for the 10 to 20 years RSPCA WA says a cat can live. Tick through the list below to find your gaps.
⏰
Lifestyle and time
0/5
Cats ask for less time than dogs, but the time they ask for is daily.
I can scoop the litter tray every day
I can play with my cat and give it things to do every day
I have a plan for who looks after the cat when I am away
Everyone in the household wants a cat, and allergies are sorted
I am not planning a move or major change in the next few months
🏠
Home and safety
0/6
Cat-proofing is a different job from dog-proofing, and one item here is genuinely life or death.
My housing allows cats, in writing if I rent
I have removed lilies from my home and garden
My doors, windows and balcony are secure
I have somewhere for the cat to climb and somewhere to hide
I have room for one litter tray per cat, plus one spare
I know my state and council rules on containment
📋
Desexing, microchip and vaccinations
0/4
A rescue cat arrives with most of this done. The rest is up to you, and it differs by state.
I know my cat must be microchipped, and how to update the details
I know whether my state or council requires registration
My cat is desexed, or I know when it must be
I have the vaccination record and know when the next one is due
💰
Money
0/4
Cats cost less than dogs to keep, and just as much in an emergency.
I can budget for food, litter and routine vet care every year
I can cover the adoption fee plus setup costs
I could handle an unexpected emergency vet bill
I have thought about pet insurance or an emergency fund
❤️
Settling in and commitment
0/3
A newly adopted cat often hides at first. Knowing that in advance changes everything.
I understand my new cat may hide at first
I am ready to provide scratching posts rather than fight scratching
I am committed for the cat’s whole life, which may be 10 to 20 years
🤝
Support and planning
0/4
The plan you make before adopting is the one that gets used.
I have someone who can care for my cat if I travel or get ill
I know which vet I will use and where the nearest emergency vet is
If I already have a cat, I have a plan for a slow introduction
I have a carrier, and a quiet room ready for the first days
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The safety item people miss: lilies
Most cat-proofing advice is sensible but low stakes. Lilies are not. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says lilies in the Lilium and Hemerocallis groups, which include day lilies, are extremely toxic to cats, and that even small amounts can cause rapidly fatal kidney failure, generally within 12 to 72 hours. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the pollen, which can fall on a cat's coat and be swallowed while it grooms, and even the water in a vase of cut lilies is thought to be toxic.
Lily toxicity is an emergency: if you think your cat has touched or eaten any part of a lily, take it to a vet straight away rather than waiting for signs. Keep lilies out of the house and garden altogether, and tell friends who might bring a bouquet.
Cat laws differ by state
A rescue cat usually arrives desexed, microchipped and vaccinated, which covers most of it. Registration and containment are then up to you. In the ACT, every cat born after 1 July 2022 must be contained to its owner's premises 24 hours a day. In Victoria, cats are registered with the council from 3 months, and some councils require cats to be confined at certain hours or at all times. WA, SA and Tasmania require desexing by a set age, and in NSW a cat not desexed by 4 months needs an annual permit.
The RSPCA Knowledgebase suggests one prepared room with a bed, toys, a scratching post, a litter tray, food and water for the first couple of days, then opening up more of the house over the next few days. Cat Protection Society of NSW advises keeping a new cat completely indoors for at least one month, notes that scared cats like to hide in small dark spaces, and says to call your vet immediately if you have serious concerns about your cat's health. The RSPCA says cats can live happily indoors as long as they are entertained.
If you already have a cat, go slowly. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says to keep the newcomer in a transition room, introduce the cats step by step starting with scent, give each cat multiple and separated resources, and be prepared for it to take weeks to months. It also says a harmonious multi-cat household is not guaranteed, and notes that some cats prefer to be an only cat. If you are unsure about anything on the list, ask the rescue before you adopt.
Cat adoption readiness FAQ
Tap a question to expand
Am I ready to adopt a cat?▼
You are ready when the daily things are covered, not just when you feel keen. The checklist above has 26 items in 6 areas: daily litter and play, a safe home with no lilies, your state’s microchip, registration, desexing and containment rules, the yearly cost, and a commitment that RSPCA WA says can last 10 to 20 years. Most people find they are close, with one or two gaps worth fixing first.
What do I need to know about cat laws in Australia?▼
They differ by state. WA requires cats to be sterilised and registered by 6 months; SA requires cats born after 1 July 2018 to be desexed before 6 months; Tasmania requires desexing and microchipping from 4 months; the ACT requires registration for cats over 8 weeks and 24-hour containment for every cat born after 1 July 2022. In NSW, cats go on the NSW Pet Registry and a cat not desexed by 4 months needs an annual permit. In Victoria, some councils require cats to be confined at certain hours or at all times. Check your state’s page and your council.
Do I have to keep my cat indoors?▼
It depends where you live. In the ACT every cat born after 1 July 2022 must be contained to its owner’s premises 24 hours a day, and in Victoria some councils require cats to be confined to the owner’s property at certain hours or at all times. The NSW Office of Local Government says NSW law does not require you to keep your cat indoors. Whatever the law, Cat Protection Society of NSW advises keeping a newly adopted cat completely indoors for at least one month, and the RSPCA says cats can live happily indoors as long as they are entertained.
What should I cat-proof before bringing a cat home?▼
Lilies first. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says lilies are extremely toxic to cats: every part, including the pollen a cat can swallow while grooming, and even the water in a vase of cut lilies is thought to be toxic. Lily toxicity is an emergency, so see a vet immediately if you suspect it. Then close doors and windows and block escape routes, and set up somewhere high to climb and somewhere enclosed to hide.
How many litter trays do I need?▼
One per cat plus at least one extra, according to International Cat Care. Space them around the house, away from food and water bowls, rather than all in one spot. International Cat Care also says to scoop at least twice a day, and to do a full clean every 2 to 4 weeks for clumping litter or weekly for non-clumping litter.
How long does a new cat take to settle in?▼
It varies from cat to cat. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says cats can find moving to a new home stressful, and suggests keeping a new cat in one prepared room for a couple of days, then opening up more of the house over the next few days. Cat Protection Society of NSW advises keeping a new cat completely indoors for at least one month, notes that scared cats like to hide in small dark spaces, and says to call your vet immediately if you have serious concerns about your cat’s health.
Should I adopt one cat or two?▼
It depends on the cats. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says some cats enjoy the company of other cats and some prefer not to have other cats around, that sharing a space is often a significant cause of stress for cats, and that your cat may prefer to be an only cat. Ask the rescue how a cat has lived with others. If you add a cat to a home that already has one, the RSPCA says to introduce them step by step and expect it to take weeks to months.