Help & Advice Centre

Why rescuing is so important

There are many reasons a cat may find itself in a rehoming centre: their owners may be moving to accommodation that doesn’t allow pets; owner allergies; a new baby in the household; unable to afford the vet bill or bills in general; or domestic abuse.

Whatever the reason, each cat deserves a second chance at a forever home and rehoming one can be extremely rewarding. It’s estimated that there are currently 1.2 million cats living on the streets as strays or waiting for their forever homes in catteries. According to the RSPCA’s figures, the number of cats rehomed from 2020 - 2021 dropped by 12%; it’s believed Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis may be having a considerable effect on the number of animals surrendered to shelters and the rate to which these are subsequently rehomed.*

Fortunately, there are plenty of not-for-profit organisations out there working tirelessly to improve the situation by spaying and neutering animals at a reduced price for those on lower incomes. However, most of the time the cost of this falls entirely to the charity themselves. Cats Protection helps neuter around 130,000 cats every year, to which 15,000 of these are feral.**

Things to consider when looking to add a cat to your household:

Time:
Although some may argue that cats are easier than dogs because they don’t need a daily walk, they do still require physical exercise, mental stimulation and benefit greatly from human interaction. Cats are very clean animals however some with longer hair may require assistance with brushing to ensure their fur does not matt. Furthermore, regardless of whether you have an indoor or an outdoor cat, you’ll probably still need a litter tray which, again, will need regular cleaning and maintenance. If your cat is an indoor cat or doesn’t enjoy going outside it’s important they are still encouraged by you to get the right amount of exercise to avoid becoming overweight and unhealthy.

Money:
Adopting a cat is relatively cheap in comparison to purchasing one from a breeder, however you’ll still need to consider the cost of caring for your feline after the initial purchase. Ongoing costs, such as high quality food, flea and worm treatment, vet bills and insurance all need taking into account.

Some cats in rehoming centres may have existing short or long-term medical conditions that need to continue to be addressed after they find their forever home. Ensuring you have considered the ongoing cost for this is vital to choosing the right cat for you.

Environment:
Not all cats are suitable or even want to go outdoors for exercise. It’s important to consider the home you’re bringing your cat into, not just if it’s an indoor cat. Cats like to roam freely and explore their surroundings so it’s your responsibility to check the rooms in your house are suitable to be cat scanned.

Cats in rehoming centres have varied pasts: some have previously lived in a house; some are rescued from the streets; others may have been born in the shelter. Whichever cat you choose, it’s important to be aware of their past and when you bring them home for the first time remember to be patient with them and allow them time to adjust to their new forever home. Most cats will require a few days to settle into their new home and won’t show their true colours until completely settled and relaxed.

Bear in mind that cats who roam outside can travel approximately ¼ mile away from your home, ensuring your cat is spayed / neutered is vitally important in keeping the stray cat population at bay. You might want to consider how close you are to main roads or livestock as these can be additional challenges to cat ownership that’s often overlooked.

Other pets in the house:
It’s important to consider other pets you may already have in the house before adopting a cat. Ensure you read the adoption profile of the cat before considering going through the process. Some cats will prefer to be the only pet in the household whereas others may not be suitable to live with dogs, other small animals or younger children.

Other family members in the house: Adopting a cat can be a brilliant thing to do as a family, deciding together the perfect addition. However, it is vital that everyone agrees on this decision. Moreover, deciding beforehand who will take responsibility for caring for your cat by delegating jobs such as feeding, cleaning, bills etc will ensure you have planned for a holistic care package for your new addition.

Food:
Giving your new cat the best balanced diet is important for a long and healthy life. Feeding a high quality food that is tailored to a cat’s nutritional requirements might seem complicated but you’ve really got two choices: dry kibble or wet food. Eden’s 85/15 kibble recipes are a perfect all-rounder which ensures your cat gets the high protein they need with the added health benefits of a healthy skin and coat, supporting joints and the immune system. If your cat is fussy or perhaps has a more sensitive stomach or allergies, the Turkey and Herring wet food is probably better suited as it is 70/30 (which means 70% meat) but more importantly is gentler on the stomach and easier to digest.

If you are looking to adopt a cat from a rehoming centre it's important to be aware that each one has their own set of criteria that needs to be met before the rehoming can take place. Ensure you speak with them and familiarise yourself with the chosen centre’s rehoming process before meeting your perfect partner. Rehoming from a centre / shelter is advisable and can often be far more enjoyable and supportive as they tend to have background information on the cat, first hand experience caring for them and they are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have before, during or after the rehoming process.

Be aware of anyone giving any animals away for free, not just cats. Any reputable rehoming centre or fosterer will require you to donate a small fee to ensure the cat is going to a genuine home and not falling into unsavoury hands.

Be aware of anyone giving any animals away for free, not just cats. Any reputable rehoming centre or fosterer will require you to donate a small fee to ensure the cat is going to a genuine home and not falling into unsavoury hands.

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