HOMING                                                            

If you feel that you can offer a home to one of our  cats  give us a ring. Please don’t be offended when we ask that one of our home visitors come along to see you.   Our cats need a secure and happy environment often for the first time in their  lives, so many previously had an unsettled or traumatic past. We have a responsibility to our guests and we must ensure that the right cat goes to the right home.

One of our homing officers first checks the safety of the location. It is ridiculous homing a cat on a busy road, unless the owner plans to keep it in all the time or has a cat safe garden (arrangements can be made for you to see one). They can give advice about screens for your windows that allow cats and  fresh air in, but keep the flies out. Being an indoor cat suits many cats and most seem to adapt very quickly and of course we have many that need  an indoor home  e.g. white cats, deaf cats, cats with one eye or 3 legs. and of course the FIV cats must have an indoor home for their own protection. We like to confirm you will provide a litter tray and be confident that it will be a permanent fixture irrespective of your cats’ age or the fact that it is allowed out.  (See Tips page, litter trays and a wee problem) We do not sanction cats being out at night.

When  'special' cats with a specific problem or 'golden oldies'  are homed we will if necessary pay towards any vet bills that are related to the pets condition at the time of homing. As  charity we don’t charge a fee for adopting a cat/kitten, all that we ask is for is a generous donation (minimum £30 per cat) to help towards our costs, (although the offer of a good home  is more important) all cats will been micro chipped, vaccinated and have  received flea and worm treatments and those over 6 months neutered/spayed. When you adopt a Kitten who is  too young to have completed  their injections we will give you an authority to take to our vets Carrick and we will pay the fee. You will also receive a blank neutering certificate, this you must give to your Vet to fill in once you have had the kitten neutered, and return it to us. Remember in the case of a kitten, you will have have agreed to neuter the kitten, and as such if this isn't done, legally we can demand the return of the kitten, under breach of contract.

The home visitor always leaves a pack of Cats Protection Cat Care leaflets. We then arrange for the prospective new owner to visit a fosterer to choose a cat/kitten, when you first meet the cats please remember they have been taken  from what they know (although in many cases that is a good thing) and may no longer feels safe and secure, so they may not  behave as they  would once they know you and are settled into your own home. Please, don't judge by what you see, just because a cat mat not come to you immediately please don't just rule it out, please listen to our fosterers advice, they have handled hundreds of cats over the years and get to know the cats and their special ways. Occasionally a cat may seem aggressive when you see it, unless we have mentioned that the cat is 'robust' or a 'he/she who must be obeyed' type in our write up the aggressive behaviour will be due to the cat being frightened of you and once it knows you it will be loving and giving. If at all possible we then like to bring your chosen pet to you.  We recommend that the new cat (if indoor/outdoor) is kept inside for 8 weeks (in the hope that you will then keep it in at least 4) and in the case of a kitten until after they are neutered/ spayed. We try to do an after visit 4–6 weeks after adoption, to ensure the cat is happy and you are happy with the cat. If you cannot keep the cat for any reason at any time of its life, we ask that you do not give it to anyone else. We will take it back, although it cannot always be immediately it will be very soon.

If you would like to adopt a cat, why not have a look in the gallery at what we have available. The cats we have are constantly changing and we may not yet have been able to add any new additions that have come in. 

It costs an average of £15 per month per cat for food and litter. This will however vary on the type of food & litter you supply for your cat/kitten. You should provide a high quality food, which will ensure that your cat is to get all the nutrients it needs for a healthy lifestyle. This may vary on the age of the cat/kitten and whether the cat is nursing or expecting kittens. Although we hope that unless your cat is pregnant when you take in you will have her spayed. Please see neutering page and the reasons for early spays.