Can your friend give you some of their favorite toys, cat trees, or maybe even her clothes with her scent on it? That might help them feel more comfortable in your house.

You are doing a wonderful thing for your friend! She is lucky to have you.

We adopted two skittish cats from the same home and started them in a bathroom with a tile floor (which was where the litter box ended up living). This was the advice of the rescue group. I do think it helped. After a couple days, we let them out during the day on one floor (kids at school) and put them in the bathroom at night, and gradually expanded. I thought it seems cruel to lock them in a small space until I let them out. They headed as far under the beds into corners as they could go and refused to come out for any reason.

One word of caution. The cats may be used to a 4 year old, but is your 4 year old used to cats? You have to really keep an eye on that because 4 year olds love to chase, pet the wrong way and dress cats up like baby dolls. And if the cats have claws, they might fight back.

I've had lots of cats adn some I've acquired in foster situations as well. My advice - covered litter box and keep it clean. That alone will reduce the need to pee elsewhere which is the biggest issue with cats. That said if they do - there are things to clean it up. Nature's Miracle does work miracles on cat smells so don't stress too much.

Only other thing is clawing - since I've had cats for so long I have learned not to buy furniture with too loose of a weave - like burlap - they love to claw it. Smooth cloth is best - get them some scratching posts. Best way to train a cat not to do something (claw furniture, leap on kitchen counters) is to hiss and squirt with water as soon as possible after incidence. You'll have to repeat a few times but they will figure it out!

Good luck and thank you!