New kitten checklist: what you need and the law (UK)

• Kittens should stay with their mother until they're at least 8 weeks old.
• In England, kittens under six months old can only be sold by the person who bred them, or rehomed by a rescue centre. That's Lucy's Law. Ask to see the kitten with its mother.
• Kittens adopted from Cats Protection come vaccinated and microchipped, and neutered or with a voucher to get it done.

• Complete kitten food, and separate bowls for food and water
• A litter tray and litter, to go away from their food
• A bed, and a few places to hide
• A scratching post, and somewhere high to perch
• Toys, especially fishing-rod toys you play with together
• A sturdy cat carrier for trips to the vet
• A brush or comb

Set up a quiet room with a door you can close, with food and water, a litter tray away from the food, a bed, somewhere to hide and a scratching post. Let your kitten explore the rest of the house bit by bit once they're confident.

Kittens like to eat little and often: at least four small meals a day.

• Keep lilies out of the house. Every part of the plant is poisonous to cats, even the pollen.
• Block gaps behind cupboards and appliances.
• Keep windows shut or screened, and the toilet lid down.
• Lock away medicines and cleaning products.
• Check the washing machine and tumble dryer before you switch them on.

1. First vaccinations at 8 to 9 weeks old, with another 3 to 4 weeks later. Your vet sets the exact plan.
2. Flea and worm treatment: ask your vet what suits your kitten's age and weight.
3. Neutering at around four months old. Cats Protection recommends this age because female kittens can get pregnant from about then.
4. Microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. It's the law in England, and you must keep the details up to date.

Cats Protection advises waiting until your kitten is settled, fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Start with short trips into the garden while you're with them. Our guide to letting a cat out for the first time has more.

A microchip is the most important ID, and in England it's the law. It can't fall off, and vets and rescue centres can scan it.

A collar is up to you, and our guide to cat collar safety covers the risks. If you use one, choose a quick-release collar that pops open if it catches on something, never an elastic one, and make sure you can fit two fingers underneath. Kittens grow fast, so check the fit every week or two.

A light QR tag on the collar means a neighbour who finds your kitten can scan it with their phone and reach you straight away, without a trip to the vet.

• The adoption or purchase paperwork
• The vaccination record
• The microchip number and which database it's on
• Your vet's details, and your insurance documents if you have insurance
• A few clear photos, updated as your kitten grows