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Unfortunately, as a cat owner, sometimes it’s necessary to rehome your cat. This might be due to a change of circumstances, like having to leave the country, or maybe one of your cats is incapable of living with other cats.
Whatever the reason, it’s never an easy decision to make. But if you do need to rehome a cat, it’s important to find them a great home to go to and to help them be rehomed in a way that minimizes stress for both them and you.
In this article, I’ll cover the steps you need to take before and during the remodelling process to ensure that it is as smooth as possible.
How Do I Rehome My Cat?
The reasons for rehoming a cat can vary greatly, from changes in personal circumstances like having to move to a property that won’t let you keep cats or a child developing a cat allergy to cat behaviour issues like a new cat fighting with your existing cat.
Before you start the process of rehoming your cat, consider alternatives like seeking medical advice for allergies or seeing a pet behaviourist to remedy bad cat behaviour. If you have tried every alternative that you can think of, then it is sadly time to start the process of rehoming your cat
Health Check Up
Before you rehome your cat, you should take them to a vet for a health checkup. You want to make sure that their new owner will have all the up-to-date information they need about the cat’s health, age, and vaccination status. Hopefully, you will already have had your cat neutered, but if you have not, you should take this opportunity to do so.
Make a note of all the relevant information about your cat’s health and put it in a folder for their new owner.
Gathering Supplies For The New Owner
Collect items that will make your cat more comfortable in their new home. Cats are very resistant to change, so it’s important to give them as much continuity as possible in their new home. You might want to pack items like;
- Your cat’s favourite toys
- Your cat’s favourite blanket/bed
- Some pouches of your cat’s favourite
- A bag of the cat litter your cat already uses
Creating A Profile For The Cat
It is always best if your cat can live with someone you know. This might be a neighbour, a friend, or a family member. However, if none of these are able to take on the responsibility
If you do not already have a home lined up for your cat, you will need to make a listing online to attract potential new owners. I would advise against using sites like Craigslist; you tend to get a lot of timewasters, and it can be difficult to verify if people are who they say they are.
The first place I would suggest posting a listing about your cat is in a local Facebook group for cat lovers. Most cities will have one (and even some towns and villages). While not as many people will see the listing as if it were posted to a wider audience, you will have an audience of cat lovers who are more likely to be capable of looking after a cat than the average member of the public.
When you are making the listing about your cat, remember to include the following:
- Highlighting the cat’s personality
Describe your cat’s personality, habits, and traits to attract an owner who can match their energy and needs. - Including relevant health information
Give detailed information about their health, including vaccination status, whether they have been neutered, whether they have been microchipped, any medical conditions or allergies, and any dietary requirements. - Add photos
Add high-quality, up-to-date photos of your cat.
How Do I Rehome A Cat Quickly?
Rehoming a cat quickly can be more difficult, especially if the cat has special medical needs. It’s important to be realistic about the time needed to rehome a cat, and if you know that you’re going to need to do so, you should start the process ASAP.
Be open-minded to all potential adopters and consider all serious enquiries. Respond promptly to all inquiries, as it is likely that potential adopters will have contacted multiple people; if you leave it a day or two, they may have already found another cat.
If you have a set date on which you need to have rehomed your cat and it is fast approaching, you may need to see if a family member/friend could take the cat on a temporary basis while you coordinate the search for its new home.
Understand that finding the right home can take time, and be patient throughout the process.
As a last resort, you could give your cat up to a local animal shelter, but this should be treated as the option of last resort. Shelters try their best to provide care for their animals, but many of them are overwhelmed with people donating animals, and a loving home is always a better option if it is possible.
Ensuring A Safe And Loving Environment
As I mentioned earlier, ideally, you would rehome your cat with a friend or family member, but if you do need to let a stranger adopt them, there are a few extra steps you should take:
1. Vetting potential adopters
Screen potential adopters. You want to feel confident that your cat is going to a good home. If they already have other cats, this can be a good sign, provided your cat can happily live with other cats.
2. Conducting home visits when possible
Visiting the new home that your cat might go to can give you a good idea of how suitable it would be. Is it clean? Where will your cat sleep?
Is Rehoming A Cat Cruel?
Rehoming a cat isn’t ideal, but it isn’t cruel. Cats are very adaptive creatures and will likely settle into their new home after a short while. After a month or so, it’s likely that you will feel more distressed about your cat being rehomed than your cat does.
Rehoming your cat when you are no longer able to look after them isn’t cruel; it’s an act of love. You want your cat to have the best life possible, and if you’re not able to provide that for them, then rehoming them is the best thing you can do for them.
Final Thoughts: Preparing A Cat For Rehoming
Rehoming a cat is a challenging decision and a highly emotional one. However, it can be necessary to give your cat the best quality of life possible. By starting the process early, vetting potential adopters, and making sure its new owners have all the relevant information, you are setting your cat up for a happy life. Remember, rehoming your cat is not an act of cruelty; it is an act of love.