Each year, roughly 3.2 million cats enter an animal shelter in the United States, according to the ASPCA. When these cats are adopted, sometimes their new homes aren't forever homes, and people end up returning a cat to a shelter.
The reasons for this vary. An older adopted cat may not be the best fit for a household with energetic young children. A first-time cat adopter may not understand how to help a new pet adjust. If you're considering adopting a cat, take some time to learn the most common reasons for returning a cat to the shelter to set up the best possible situation for you and your potential new companion.
Inappropriate Urination
Missing the litter box is often the top reason for returning a cat to a shelter. Solving this behavior depends on the cause. Cats use the scent of urine to calm themselves and mark their territory, explains the ASPCA, so it makes sense that the stress of a new home prompts some hit-or-miss potty behaviors. Some cats adopted from a life outdoors might not understand what you expect. Elimination also serves as a barometer of feline health. A cat experiencing a sudden change in bathroom habits may be sick and definitely requires a veterinary check.
To avoid returning a cat to a shelter and instead foster good litter box habits, limit a new cat's access to a single room for the first week or so. Make it easy for the cat to find the litter box. Make sure you offer large boxes that a cat can easily use without hanging out or over-shooting the edge. Some cats want one box for liquids and another for solids, so more than one box works best.
Most cats prefer uncovered boxes that don't hold odors, and they'll avoid a stinky, dirty box. Clean it daily! Cats also tend to prefer a fine, sandy litter to dig and may protest with out-of-the-box thinking if you try to switch brands. For former outdoor cats, help them understand what's expected by sprinkling soil on top of the litter to help transition them to an indoor lifestyle.

Scratching
All cats, especially a newly adopted cat, need to scratch. Cats scratch to file their claws, mark their territory, stretch their bodies and relieve stress. It's not unheard of for cats to scratch furniture, walls and other inappropriate places. Because of this, many new pet parents find themselves returning a cat to a shelter to save their belongings.
Plan for this normal behavior. Cats tell you what they prefer, from vertical upholstery surfaces to horizontal wood or carpet. Cats also have preferred scratch locations. They want their scratch graffiti seen, so locate the scratch object in an attractive spot. Prime locations include near a window, pathway, door or other important cat territories, like the food bowl. Scent the scratch surfaces with catnip and lure your pet to scratch with feather toys.
Make illegal scratch targets unattractive by applying double-sided sticky tape to furniture while locating the legal scratch post nearby until the cat learns the new rules. Inappropriate scratching usually resolves itself if you provide better, more appropriate scratch options. You can even create your own scratching post for your adopted cat.