Hi and congratulations on your new cat! If you start with a temporary spot for the litter box, you can always later move it. You can do so in one of three ways:
a) Set up a 2nd box in another spot and, when she's used to using it, remove the 1st box.
b) Gradually move the box from the first spot to the second spot, moving it 5 or 6 feet each time.
c) Just move the darn thing to the new spot and show her where that new spot is.
It all depends on the cat and how "risk-averse" you are. I underwent major renovations to my home this past summer and, given all of the activity, I had to move my cats' litter boxes every time I turned around (sometimes from one floor to the next). I was worried they wouldn't be happy about all of the moves, but they always found the new spot and I had no "accidents".
As for the washer/dryer, can you put something in the space she's crawling through...perhaps stuff a few old towels there for now?
There's no set timeline for a cat to get used to a new home. It will all depend on the cat's personality, history, etc. On average, I would say about a week, but it can easily be a day or many months depending on the cat.
As for ripped blinds and the like...I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it all depends on the cat. A three-year old cat is typically much more subdued and much less mischievous than a kitten. However, some cats are prone to mischief, others are little angels and most are somewhere in between. For now, I'd cat-proof your house against anything harmful, just to make sure she can't get into anything that could hurt her. Otherwise, I'd just play things by ear and deal with any problems if and when they arise.
a) Set up a 2nd box in another spot and, when she's used to using it, remove the 1st box.
b) Gradually move the box from the first spot to the second spot, moving it 5 or 6 feet each time.
c) Just move the darn thing to the new spot and show her where that new spot is.
It all depends on the cat and how "risk-averse" you are. I underwent major renovations to my home this past summer and, given all of the activity, I had to move my cats' litter boxes every time I turned around (sometimes from one floor to the next). I was worried they wouldn't be happy about all of the moves, but they always found the new spot and I had no "accidents".
As for the washer/dryer, can you put something in the space she's crawling through...perhaps stuff a few old towels there for now?
There's no set timeline for a cat to get used to a new home. It will all depend on the cat's personality, history, etc. On average, I would say about a week, but it can easily be a day or many months depending on the cat.
As for ripped blinds and the like...I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it all depends on the cat. A three-year old cat is typically much more subdued and much less mischievous than a kitten. However, some cats are prone to mischief, others are little angels and most are somewhere in between. For now, I'd cat-proof your house against anything harmful, just to make sure she can't get into anything that could hurt her. Otherwise, I'd just play things by ear and deal with any problems if and when they arise.