Cat care 101

Before you bring a cat home, net your windows and balconies. Cats are curious and fast. Netting (not grilling) is safe and effective — vendors in most Pune neighbourhoods can install it in a day.

Indie cats thrive on a mix of good-quality dry kibble and wet food. Avoid milk — most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Fresh water, always. Your rescuer will tell you what the cat is already used to.

Schedule a vet visit within the first two weeks. Bring any vaccination records from the rescuer. Core vaccines, deworming, and a health check are the basics. Ask about spay/neuter if not already done.

Indies aren't less loving because they're not breeds. Many are deeply affectionate. What varies is personality — your rescuer will tell you if a cat is a lap cat, an observer, or somewhere in between.

Give a new cat one quiet room first. Let them come to you. Hissing on day one is normal. Most cats decompress over 3–7 days and reveal their real personality within a month.

If you feed community cats and face harassment, you have legal protection. The PCA Act and recent court rulings recognise feeding rights. Full guide coming soon.