Cat rescue is not rocket science

People seem to think you have to BE a rescue to DO rescue -- that's not the case. Anybody can adopt a cat out on their own, and if you're able to do so, you free up cage space at rescues and shelters, allowing them to rescue even more animals.

But before you dive into doing rescue, make sure that:

  • You have the necessary time and financial means to care for a cat (in addition to any other pets you have) until it gets adopted
  • You are willing to invest the time and energy it takes to conduct an adoption responsibly
  • You are emotionally able to give the cat up when you find an appropriate adopter (remember, many hoarders start out as "rescuers" -- please don't become one of them)
  • The cat you plan to adopt out is healthy, has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and has tested negative for FIV/feline leukemia. Never, ever, EVER let a cat go home with someone before it is spayed or neutered.

Rehoming a cat is always an act of faith, and it can be a little nerve-wracking. After all, the cat's fate is in your hands. Make sure to listen to your gut -- don't give a cat to someone who doesn't "feel" right to you. You are completely within your rights to be fussy and to not adopt to someone who you don't think would provide a good (or a good enough) home.

If you don't want to be confrontational or don't feel comfortable saying "I don't think you're a good home," just make sure you always have an excuse you can use not to adopt to someone. You can tell them you've decided to keep the cat, or that you decided on another adopter.

With those caveats out of the way... before you actively start trying to rehome a cat, get a good idea of what kind of home it needs. Does it get along with other cats or dogs? Is it good with kids? Does it need a quiet home? Be honest about these things with potential adopters. You're not doing the cat any good if you place it in a home that's not suitable.

Write up a description of the cat or a list of its good (and not-so-good) qualities. What's its activity level like? Is it a lap cat? Is it shy? Is it talkative? Spend the time to take some really flattering/cute pictures of the cat -- potential adopters fall in love with pictures before they ever even meet an animal!

If you're lucky, you might be able to rehome a cat with someone you already know. Send an email to your friends, family, and co-workers asking if anyone is interested in adding a cat, including a description and pictures. Ask people to forward the email onto anyone they know who might be interested in a new cat.

If you don't have any luck finding a home among your friends or friends-of-friends, you'll need to broaden your search. You can post flyers on the bulletin board at your office, school, community center, library, grocery store, vet's office, etc. There are also lots of websites where adoptable pets can be listed by private citizens:

As you cast your net wider, you'll need to take more precautions, since you'll be advertising the cat to complete strangers and will want to ensure that the person is a quality adopter.

Ask for a modest adoption fee -- either a payment made to you, or a donation to your local SPCA or humane society. This helps deter people who might have nefarious motives, since there's no reason to pay for a cat when so many can be had for free. It also indicates that potential adopter realizes that the pet has value. And finally, it can help defray your veterinary costs for the animal.

Ask for references -- either a personal reference, or a reference from the potential adopter's regular veterinarian. (You will usually need to have the adopter call the vet's office and give them permission to discuss the adopter's records with you.) Ask the vet's office to verify that the potential adopter's previous pet(s) were kept current on their vaccinations and came in for regular exams.

Have potential adopters fill out an application. This is an easy way to get some basic information and a feel for the person. It also helps to weed out people who aren't serious -- they won't even take the time to fill out the application.

If you find an appealing candidate, have them set up a time to come to your home and meet the cat. (Please take all appropriate precautions in this regard as well -- try to have someone else home with you.) Take the opportunity to chat with the adopter, get to know them, and answer any questions they might have about the cat. Have the cat's veterinary records available for review as well.

Ideally, you'll get "good vibes" from the adopter and can feel excited about sending your rescued cat to a new home where it will be loved and cherished. But feel free to tell the adopter that you want to think about it and will contact them later to let them know your decision. If you do decide to adopt to this person, it's also best to arrange to deliver the cat to its new home yourself. It makes the transition a little easier for the cat, to be delivered by someone it already knows, and also gives you the chance to see the person's home. If something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to say you've changed your mind and take your cat home with you.

You'll also want to have the adopter sign an adoption contract. You can download a generic one from the Feline Rescue Association here, and modify it however you see fit.

Try to check back in with the adopter a few days or weeks later, to see how the cat is doing. If you're able to do so, it also helps to tell the adopter that you'll take the cat back if things don't work out for any reason. As we all know, cats can be unpredictable, and they can often act very differently when they move to a different environment.

For more information on rehoming cats, visit these sections of the Feline Rescue Association and the Maryland SPCA websites.