You've been thinking about it a lot. Weighing up all the pros and cons, and finally, you've decided to to become a member of the cat owners club and adopt a cat!

But now you've got many questions like, is adopting a cat free? Where can I adopt a cat? And how can I help them to settle into their new home? Well, don't worry. After you've read this, you'll be ready to welcome your new furry friend into their forever home!

Where Can I Adopt a Cat?

You can adopt a kitten or cat from a rescue centre or charity or from a friend or family member who can no longer look after them. You might see adverts for cats needing new homes or find a cat on social media, but take care when choosing this route.

Adopting a cat from a rescue centre means they'll have been health checked, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered before being rehomed. The rescue centre will also support welcoming your cat into their new home, making the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Whatever route you choose, meet the cat first to get a feel for their personality and behaviour to know if they're the right pet for you. Obtaining a copy of their health records is also a good idea, especially if you're adopting an older cat, so you don't get any health surprises and unwanted vet bills.

How to Adopt a Cat

If you're adopting a cat or kitten from a rescue centre, this is the adoption process:

1. Search for rescue cats available for adoption.
2. Complete an application form to register your interest.
3. The rescue centre will contact you to arrange a visit so that you can meet the cat and make sure they're the right fit for you. It's a good idea for the whole family to visit to rule out any possible allergies.
4. If it's a perfect match, arrange a home visit where a member of the rescue centre team will visit your home and give you tips on what to think about before your new cat joins you, including food, toys, environment and care.
5. Collect your new cat!

How Much Does it Cost Adopting a Cat?

When adopting a cat from a rescue centre, there is often an adoption fee to cover the cost of the veterinary treatment, neutering, and microchipping the cat may already have received.

The fee is generally around £35-£100 and will vary depending on the cat's age. Typically, older adult cats for adoption have a smaller fee than kittens.

Choosing a Cat to Adopt

When looking at cats to adopt, you need to take into consideration the following:

• Home – do you have a safe outdoor space, or would an indoor cat better fit your house?
• Lifestyle – how much time can you spend with your cat? Choose an independent breed with minimal grooming requirements if you're short on time.
• Pets – ensure any other pets meet the new cat before bringing them home.
• Children – is the rescue cat suited to a family with kids, and if so, what age range?
• Cost – older cats or a cat with a health condition may require costly ongoing veterinary treatment.
• Personality/behaviour - are they lively, docile, friendly, anxious? Keep in mind they may not display their usual behaviour in the rescue centre. A cat's background may initially make them nervous around people, but with love and patience, they'll soon warm to you.

Bringing Your New Cat Home!

When preparing to bring your new cat home, there's lots to consider. That's where our owner's checklist can come in handy. They'll need a bed, food, a litter box, food and water bowls, and a cat carrier to transport them in. A scratching post, cat trees and toys are also recommended for entertainment.

You'll need to register them with a veterinary practice and change their microchip details. Cat insurance is another top priority, so you're prepared for unexpected vet bills should an injury or illness occur.

When your cat arrives, give them time to explore their new home. Keep the cat carrier door open so they can return to it should they want somewhere to hide. Keep children and other pets away from them to start with, and try not to handle them too much at this stage.

Keep an eye on their body language for signs of how they're feeling. When introducing another pet to them, if they display aggression (arched back, raised hair, hissing) or fear (body low to the ground or hiding), remove the other pet and try again later.

How long it will take for an adopted cat to settle into their new home varies. Most will do so within a few days, but some may take longer. Be patient and stick to a routine. It's best to keep your cat inside until they're fully settled, as they may run away and get lost. When you start to let them outside, do it near feeding times so you can call them back and reward them with food.

The cat adoption process is designed to find the right match between owner and pet and ensure you're prepared before bringing your new cat home. Be patient with your new companion and give them ample time and space to settle into their new environment. With lots of love, care and attention, your new cat will soon feel right at home!

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.

Everypaw can insure your cat from 8 weeks of age and offers new policies up to your cat's 10th birthday. But if you've insured your cat with Everypaw before then, renew every year, and we'll insure them into their old age.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.