Love Cats

We usually have a wide range of cats to choose from. On admission, cats are kept for a period of 2 weeks in a quarantine area whilst we monitor their health, and have them neutered, micro chipped, and vaccinated. They are then moved to the rehoming unit, where they are available for adoption. We require cat adopters to live a reasonable distance away from main roads and heavy traffic, and to have access outdoors once the cat has settled in. We do not normally rehome cats as house cats, unless there is a specific reason, e.g. an elderly cat may be homed as a house cat, or a cat that has tested positive for feline aids or leukaemia. If you are hoping to adopt a kitten, please bear in mind that a 9-week-old kitten needs three meals a day, so you need to be able to make arrangements for a lunchtime feed. Our kittens are normally re-homed in pairs, unless you already have a cat or are at home most of the day yourself to keep the kitten company. We will ask you questions about your home and family to enable us to recommend a cat that will have a good chance of settling in with you successfully. For example, we would not rehome a very timid cat with young children, as the cat would be unlikely to cope well with the noise and bustle. This is followed up by a pre-adoption visit to check suitability. To take a cat home, you need to bring a carrier, with a blanket or similar inside. We ask for a minimum donation (non-refundable) of £50 per cat or kitten (£75 for recognised breeds). Adult cats are neutered prior to rehoming. Kittens are homed with a voucher entitling the adopter to free neutering at our partner veterinary practice. Vaccinations are started prior to re-homing but you may need to get the second one done, depending on how long the cat has been with us. We will call you after the adoption to check on progress, and you are encouraged to contact us if you are experiencing any problems.

Useful Cat Care Tips

1

Protect you cat from common diseases with a primary course of vaccination from your vet, followed by annual boosters to maintain the protection. This will give the added benefit of an annual health check from the vet.

2

Increase the chance of finding your cat if she/he goes missing by having her/him micro chipped. This simple procedure can be carried out by your vet, to insert a small chip under the skin to hold a unique identity number and the owner’s details. Please ensure you update your contact details with the micro chip company if they change.

3

Provide a visible sign that your cat has an owner with a collar and identity tag. Accidents related to collars are rare, and are hugely reduced by choosing a collar with a safety feature such as an elasticated section or quick release buckle.

4

Have your cat neutered. Cats can reach sexual maturity from 4 months of age. In addition to helping control the population, neutering can reduce unwanted behaviours such as spraying, fighting with other cats and roaming. An unneutered female can have up to 3 litters of 5-6 kittens a year, and can be responsible for 20,000 descendents over 5 years! (Source: Cats Protection).

5

Treat your cat regularly for worms and fleas with products recommended by your vet. This has health benefits for the cat and prevents spread of unwanted visitors to your home.

6

Plan well in advance for holiday care. Good catteries will be busy during peak periods so book well in advance and ensure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date, as proof will be required by the cattery.

7

Consider pet insurance to help cover the cost of veterinary treatment. Advances in veterinary medicine mean cats live longer and can be effectively treated for a much wider range of health problems than in the past. Cats with free access to the outdoors are more likely to be injured than many other pets, and accidental injury alone can be costly.

8

When transporting your cat, use a secure carrier designed for the purpose, and fasten this securely in vehicles using a seatbelt or other restraining device, in case of accidents.

9

Providing a scratch post for your cat can help protect your furniture, wall paper and curtains! Catnip can be rubbed or sprayed on the post to encourage its use.

10

Remember, cats are individual and independent. This is the root of much of their appeal, but can be frustrating if they treat the home as a hotel, just visiting for food! If you particularly want a cat that actively seeks out human company, we recommend adopting an adult with a known temperament from a rescue centre. There are still no firm guarantees but you have a good chance of finding a cat with the temperament you want.