How do I adopt a cat?

If you choose to give a home to one of our cats or kittens, we ask for an adoption fee that will help us to pay for some of the costs of specific treatments your pet will have had (and, if a kitten, will not complete until the age of about 6 months).

We ask for an adoption fee of £85. People who have, or have had cats will already know that it costs a MINIMUM of £180 to blood test, neuter, vaccinate, micro-chip, worm and flea-treat your cat or kitten.

Your cat or kitten will have been blood tested for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukaemia) and one of our supporting vets will have carried out a health check. Your pet will have had flea and worming treatments and will have been microchipped. Kittens will have had at least one vaccination at 8 weeks old and a second will be given 3 - 4 weeks later. Neutering will take place before the age of 6 months.

Kittens who are too young to be neutered or have their second vaccination before they leave the charity should be taken to one of our supporting vets to complete their treatment. This is pre-paid ONLY if you use one of our supporting vet practices - the Swanbridge and Battle Flatts practices.

In addition, your cat will be covered by insurance through Pet Plan for the first four weeks after adoption. Certain terms and conditions apply which can be discussed with the homing volunteer.

Blood tests: All our cats have been blood tested for FIV and FeLV. While these diseases CANNOT affect humans or other species of animals, to cats these are two deadly and incurable diseases which will cause misery and suffering.

Feline Leukaemia is spread between cats in bodily fluids, including saliva, so it is essential to adequately protect your pet by ensuring that this vaccine in included in your pet's annual booster (see 'Vaccinations' below).

There is no vaccination for FIV. It is caused by blood-to-blood contact and mating and therefore the best precautions are to neuter your cat and to keep it indoors at night as this is the time when most fights between cats occur.

Vaccinations: Make sure that you ask about your cat or kitten's vaccination history and that you are given the proper vaccination record card showing all vaccinations and boosters. If your cat has to go to board at a cattery, e.g. whilst you are on holiday, any reputable boarding cattery will request to see this record of vaccination.

We vaccinate ALL our cats and kittens against 4 life threatening diseases. These are feline enteritis, cat flu and feline panleucopenia which are given as a group in one vaccination pre-fixed with the name "tri". A second vaccination is given for the fatal disease feline leukaemia. Our vets will put both vials of vaccine into one syringe so that your cat has only one injection but will be vaccinated against NOT only three but all FOUR of these potential killers. The cost to us is financial but the 'cost' to your cat is life threatening!

At Caring for Cats we feel deeply saddened when we blood test cats which have come from 'good homes' and they are positive for the deadly feline leukaemia virus. It is a 'death sentence' but it would have been preventable through vaccination.

NOTE: Please ensure your cat remains vaccinated each year for life against these killer diseases. Don't forget!

In adopting a cat or kitten from us, we will ask you to undertake to keep your cat inside after dark every night. It is in the dark that most cats are injured or stolen, fight or are hit by cars. That means we are asking you to undertake a litter tray for life!
When fireworks are let off we ask you to be especially vigilant, fetching your cat inside earlier because a cats hearing is so much more acute than ours, making a loud noise even louder and more frightening to your cat.
(Remember to feed your cat just before the time you want him or her inside and he or she will learn a routine.)

Your cat or kitten's veterinary history: Whenever you take home a cat or kitten make sure that you know all about the veterinary history as this may be important to your vet at a later date.

All of our cats and kittens have their own personal booklet that contains the details of all its veterinary treatments as well as a record of the dates of flea and worming treatments.

If your cat or kitten has had any obvious problems, don't be afraid to ask the homing volunteer about any treatment. Remember, when you take it home it wil be your cat and it will be your responsibility to monitor its health and prevent any unnecessary suffering.