How to Adopt a Cat

Many people prefer to give a home to a cat or kitten from a rescue centre or animal shelter rather than buy a kitten from a breeder. Giving a home to a cat from a pet welfare organisation gives him a new opportunity for a long and happy life.

The process of adopting a cat from a welfare organisation isn't complicated, however there are a few key steps involved:

Visit the Rescue Centre

After the decision has been made to adopt a cat from a welfare organisation such as the RSPCA, one of the first things to do is to visit the rescue shelter or centre and have a look around. The first visit is not with the intention of bringing a cat home, this is to get a good idea of the types of cat available and a feel for rescue centre. It is important that the centre is run in a professional and efficient way. Knowing that a cat has come from an animal shelter where the animals are well cared for is important for people who are looking to adopt a pet.

Ask About the Adoption Process

The next step is to find out about the adoption process. This will include what checks are carried out on potential new homes. This might include providing information about existing pets and even home visits. The costs should also be explored at this time. Most welfare organisations, including the RSPCA, will ask for a donation of a certain amount. This helps to cover the costs of looking after an animal and may well reflect any veterinary treatments, vaccinations, microchipping or neutering. While this cost will not be prohibitive, it will be at a level that makes most people confirm that they are not adopting a pet on a whim.

Picking a Cat

The most difficult part of the whole process is often picking a cat to adopt. There are many cats looking for homes and the task of picking just one or two can be extremely hard. It is very important to be certain about what type of pet a family is looking for before starting on the process as this can help to narrow down the search. The centre will be able to suggest animals that meet the key criteria, for instance age and gender. Any background information on the animals looking for homes will be available and this should include information such as whether they can be rehomed with other pets and how they get on with children (if known).

Preparing for the New Arrival

Once a cat has been chosen the centre will arrange for the adoption to take place. This might involve a home inspection that can take a few days or even weeks to organise. This is the perfect time to start preparing for the new arrival. This includes buying bedding, planning transportation and preparing a room for him to settle in.

Once all of this is done it is time to bring home the lucky cat and introduce him to his new family. Very soon he will be one of the household and be a much loved pet.