Photos from left to right: Misty (A521957) and Jose (A522728) are just two of the 200 adoptable cats and kittens headed to CatCon this weekend, Aug. 2-3, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Pasadena Humane will once again head up the Adoption Village, where CatCon attendees will have the opportunity to meet, fall in love with, and adopt their new best friend. Plus, Pasadena Humane has been selected as the event’s charity beneficiary with $1 of each ticket sold supporting our lifesaving programs and services. Learn more and buy tickets at catconworldwide.com.

A few weeks back, I shared how my cats Luna and Molly came into my life via the “Cat Distribution System.” They aren’t the only ones who found me this way.

Eleven years ago, a neighbor called me over to help with a strange sound coming from their empty Jacuzzi. A soft meow echoed from the drain, and when I looked closer, a tiny kitten poked her head out and then quickly disappeared.

With some patience and gentle coaxing, I carefully removed the brown and white tabby from a pipe. She was filthy and visibly shaken from the ordeal.

The little fur ball appeared to be about 4 weeks old, so my plan was to foster her until she was big enough to be spayed and put up for adoption. I followed my vet’s advice and quarantined her in our guest room for two weeks to ensure she was healthy.

After about a week, we settled into a routine around mealtimes and playtime. My house guest was slowly coming out of her shell, and I noticed she was spending more and more time by the door leading into the rest of the house.

I thought she just wanted to explore, but to my surprise, my cat Luna was also spending lots of time on the other side of the door. The two began to get to know each other through scent, soft meows, and playing with their paws under the door.

At the end of the two-week quarantine, I opened the guest room door, and out came a 1.5-pound bundle of energy. She explored every corner of my house, got into things she shouldn’t have, and made hiding places I didn’t even know existed. But more than anything, she followed Luna everywhere.

Molly, on the other hand, was more reserved around the kitten. She hissed anytime the kitten got too close. I did some research and learned that hissing isn’t always negative; it’s just one way cats communicate with each other.

About five days post-quarantine, I entered the living room and found Luna and Molly cuddling together. As I approached them, a tiny kitten’s head popped out from between them. They both began grooming her.

It was soon time for the kitten’s spay appointment. She was only gone a few hours, but the house felt empty without her. Molly and Luna had already bonded with her…and so had I.

The kitten, now named Serafina, officially joined our family after she returned from the vet. Molly and Luna greeted her with welcome affection, and I committed to caring for another cat for the rest of her life.

One of the most important lessons I learned from adding Serafina to our home is that it often takes time for your resident pets to accept a newcomer. With a slow introduction and patience, most cats will welcome another feline companion.

Serafina and Luna got to know each other through our guest room door for a couple of weeks before meeting face to face. And Molly needed even more time to adjust before fully welcoming Serafina.

To help ease the transition and reduce stress, I added extra bowls for food and water and an additional litterbox. I didn’t panic when I heard a little hissing. Rather, I understood this was just the way cats communicate with one another.

At Pasadena Humane, our adoption counselors are well-versed in pet introductions. If you are considering adding another cat to your household, they can provide tips and a step-by-step guide.

And if you’re ready to add another feline friend to your home, Pasadena Humane will be at CatCon this Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

We are bringing 200 (yes, you read that correctly!) adoptable kittens to the Adoption Village, where attendees can meet, fall in love with, and adopt their new best friend. Plus, Pasadena Humane is this year’s charitable beneficiary of the event.

Tickets to CatCon 2025 are available at catconworldwide.com

Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. pasadenahumane.org

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on August 1, 2025.