Making the decision to rehome your cat or kitten? Find out what to do next with our guide on cat rehoming.
It's not an easy decision to rehome your cat. But we're here to help. Our video below explains the process of rehoming a cat with Cat's Protection.
Making the decision on cat rehoming
From moving home and relationship break-ups to changes in the family or bereavement, there are many reasons why you might have to make the difficult decision to rehome your cat to another owner.
Reasons for rehoming
While some situations are unavoidable, there are circumstances where you may be able to keep your cat. For example, if you’re having a baby and are concerned about your cat, did you know that there are plenty of ways to ensure your pet and new arrival get on well? Allergy sufferers will also be surprised to hear that there are easy ways to curb your symptoms.
I'm allergic to my cat. What can I do?
Does someone in your home suspect they may be allergic to your cat? Don’t panic. Visit your GP in the first instance to determine whether your symptoms are related to your feline companion. Other allergens could include pollen, dust mites or even perfume. If your GP confirms a cat allergy, you can discuss treatment and work out what to do next.
Cats make excellent companions for children but it is perfectly understandable that you might worry when falling pregnant. There’s no reason you should have to rehome your cat due to a new arrival, however – with our advice, your cat and baby should live in harmony. If you’re wondering how to prepare your cat for your new baby, download our pregnancy planner to count down to your due date.
My cat‘s behaviour is strange or aggressive and I don’t know what to do! Should I rehome them?
If the issue is with your cat’s behaviour and you’ve considered giving them up, it might be worth visiting your vet to see if they can help. They can refer you to a registered cat behaviourist, who will be able to advise how best to improve your cat’s behaviour. Cats are aggressive or anxious for a reason and helping solve the issue can result in a happier household.
I can’t afford to neuter my cat or give them veterinary care. What can I do?
Before looking into cat rehoming due to expensive medical bills, do some research. Some veterinary practices offer payment plans or financial assistance, and other organisations such as PDSA or Blue Cross may be able to assist with medical bills. For neutering your cat, you may be eligible for financial help.
If you find that you, or someone you know, can longer cope with a pet, there may sadly be no other option but to rehome the cat. If this is the case, it is important to remember the following steps to ensure the cat you are rehoming is safe and well.
Don’t advertise your cat online or on social media. Unfortunately this doesn’t always ensure your pet will go to a good home
Plan as early as you can. There can often be waiting lists for spaces in Cats Protection’s pens. Planning early means knowing your cat is in a safe place
Contact your local Cats Protection branch or centre for advice. You can find your nearest branch or centre here [www.cats.org.uk/find-us]
Be patient! If you’re phoning Cats Protection during the day, you may need to leave an answerphone message as many of our volunteers have full time jobs too. Your call will soon be returned and you’ll get advice on what to do next
Think carefully. Once the decision is made and the cat has been rehomed, we can’t reveal details of the new owners
