Mom just adopted a cat... but it is hiding...
My 87-year-old Mom just adopted a 3-yo kitty from the SPCA yesterday. We made the mistake of letting her out in the basement (where the litter box will be located) rather than setting her up in a small room upstairs to become used to her surroundings.
Yes, that was definitely a big mistake. While we were blocking off the sump hole so that she wouldn't be able to accidentally fall into it, she disappeared somewhere in the cellar and has not been seen since.
Mom puttered around down there all afternoon, but did not see or hear the cat at all. She (Mom) is pretty upset. She really wants a cat to keep her company, as her previous kitty died this past spring.
Is this hiding normal? We're worried about the new kitty, because she was just spayed, too, and we're supposed to be keeping an eye on the incision.
Ideas? Advice?