Rehoming Cats

Please find our rehoming form below, along with advice relating to common rehoming factors, including behavioural issues, inappropriate toileting, stress, allergies, asthma, pregnancy and more.

This is a big decision to make, and one not to be taken lightly. Taking on any pet is a lifetime commitment, and every effort should be made to see that the cat is well cared for, happy and healthy.

Rehoming is extremely stressful for the cat as well as the owner, so please only consider this if you have explored every other avenue.

Being a small shelter, we always have a waiting list and can only admit new cats once we have rehomed the ones already in the shelter, so unfortunately we cannot give a precise timescale on when we can take in your cat.

We always operate at full capacity, so we cannot accept cats brought to the door.

If you are in a tight spot and need a space for the cat quickly, why not ask a trusted friend, neighbour or family member if they could take the cat on temporarily until a rescue space is found. This would ensure the cat is taken care of and get you out of a pickle until you find a rescue space for them.

Alternatively, you could seek a space in a boarding cattery if the matter is very urgent, but please note that boarding catteries are to be paid for by you and your cat will need to be up to date with their vaccinations. 

You can also try looking on www.catchat.org for information on other shelters that may be able to help. It is useful to get your cat on as many waiting lists as possible, as this helps to ensure that your cat will be taken in asap.

If you are applying to rehome a stray cat, please look at our Lost and Found page and ensure you have followed the advice on there before adding the cat to our waiting list. You must be positive that the cat doesn’t have an owner and needs our help before you add them to the waiting list.

Please find our rehoming form below, along with advice relating to common rehoming factors, including behavioural issues, inappropriate toileting, stress, allergies, asthma, pregnancy and more.

Allergies

Anti-histamine/allergy medicines

Depending on how severe the allergy is, there are a wide range of anti-histamine/allergy medicines. You could visit your pharmacist or doctor to see which would be suitable for you or your family member.

Grooming

Even short haired cats need grooming, so giving your cat a good brush once a week can get rid of most of the loose fur that may trigger an allergic reaction. Long haired cats need grooming daily.

Keep rooms off limits

Another idea is to keep the allergy sufferer’s room off limits to the cat/s.

Litter Tray

Try different litter

Sometimes the type of cat litter or the type of litter tray can put a cat off using it. Try different kinds of litter, there are clay based, paper based, wood based, and many more. Try more than one and see which litter the cat favours. Sometimes perfumed or “odour-control” litters can put the cat’s off using it.

Try different style litter trays

Some cats prefer an open litter tray while others prefer an enclosed litter box. Make sure the tray or box is the right size for your cat, if you have a big cat, they will need a big tray…..otherwise it would be like us trying to go on a child’s potty!!

If you have an older cat, or one that has been diagnosed by a vet and suffers with joint problems etc, they may find it difficult or even painful to climb into the litter tray, so try one with a lowered lip, or modify one yourself, just make sure it’s safe for kitty to use!

Litter tray placement and cleaning

Make sure the tray is situated in a quiet place, easy to access and cleaned regularly. Cats are very clean animals and don’t like to use a dirty litter tray.

Are they stressed?

Sometimes cats will go outside the litter tray when stressed, so trying a Feliway plug in diffuser or spray can help. Try to remove or reduce any possible stress factors.

Are they ill?

If these suggestions don’t seem to be working, it is a good idea to take your cat to the vets and have him/her checked out. There could be an underlying health issue causing your kitty not to use the litter tray.

I'm Pregnant or have a New Baby

I’m pregnant

Many pregnant women worry about keeping a cat when they are expecting. Most worry about cleaning out the litter trays, and the first solution would be to give litter tray cleaning duty to another member of the household.

If this isn’t a possibility or you live alone, make sure your cat is vaccinated, and regularly flea and wormed, and when cleaning the litter tray make sure you wear gloves and follow strict hygiene practices.

  • Wash hands and forearms with an antibacterial hand wash and using hand sanitizer when possible.
  • Make sure the contents of the litter tray are taken straight out to the dustbin.

There are also many benefits to baby of having pets in the home, see below.

I have a new baby

As long as strict hygiene practices are in place, as well as a few other points, there is no reason to rehome a cat due to the arrival of a new baby.

  • Make sure the baby isn’t left on their own with your cat/pet.
  • Ensure the cat’s vaccinations are up to date as well as flea and worms treatments.
  • Litter trays and cat food should be kept out of the child’s way when they start to crawl.

To reduce stress that could affect your cat, consider using a Feliway plug in diffuser or spray which can help to keep them calm in new situations.

Spraying in the House

Is your cat neutered?

If not, this could be the main reason for the spraying. Male cats who are entire (not castrated) will mark their territory by scenting and sometimes spraying. The best way to prevent this behaviour is to have your cat neutered. This means the testosterone levels will reduce dramatically and he will not have the urge to spray. It can even help with territorial aggression that may be seen with entire males.

Is your cat stressed?

Stress and anxiety can cause a cat to spray. Try to remove or reduce any possible stress factors. You could also consider using a plug in such as Feliway.

Moving House

Speak to your new landlord

If you are moving home into a rented property, it is a good idea to contact the landlord/housing association and ask for permission to bring your cat/s.

Some do state in the tenancy agreement that no pets are allowed, but if requested some landlords/housing associations will make an exception.

They may write up another agreement that states that you will pay for any damages that may occur due to the pets, or may ask for a deposit, non-refundable if any damage occurs. It is always worth asking, and means you may be able to keep your beloved cat part of your family.

Can family or friends help?

Failing this, do you have any family members that would be able to take the cat in until you are able to rehome?

Cats don’t get along

Introducing a new cat to the household and especially your current cat should be done slowly. While some cats are very easy going and will get along with any other cats, the majority of cats find meeting another feline for the first time distressing and overwhelming.

Neutering

First of all, please make sure your cats are neutered. This will prevent any added stress and hormones from hindering a good introduction.

Controlled introductions

We would suggest settling your new cat into one room of the house and apart from other cats in the household. When your new cat seems settled in his/her new environment, start swapping his/her toys, and a bed/blanket with some from the other cats. This will allow them to smell each other’s scent and familiarise themselves with it.

When you feel the new cat is ready to explore the rest of the house, swap the cats around so that the new cat can start to feel more confident in the rest of the house. Meanwhile, the other cat/s can be smelling items in the new cat’s room and familiarise themselves with that scent.

Feeding time

Next, you can try feeding the cats at the same time, at opposite sides of a door, so that they can smell and hear each other, but cannot see or get to each other.

When the cats all seem comfortable eating together at opposite sides of the door, you can think about cracking the door slightly, or using a baby gate. (if using a baby gate, position the food dishes so that they aren’t directly next to the gate, the cats will need some space)

If the cats don’t seem happy about this, go back to door closed with a small crack in it. These steps all take time, but patience is the key. And don’t forget to praise your cats for their good behaviour, but never scold for unwanted behaviour, this negative energy does not help any situation.

Face to face introductions

If feeding does go well, and you think the cats may be ready for introducing properly, make sure you play with all the cats first so they drain any excess energy before meeting.

Also, make sure there is plenty of space for the cats and they have escape routes if they want to get away from each other (i.e. cat trees, open doors, cat shelves).

Monitoring carefully

At this point, don’t push things and if the atmosphere gets tense, separate the cats and repeat the next day. A good scenario would be for the cats to acknowledge then ignore each other, or smell each other and walk away.

Using a Feliway spray or diffuser can also help to lower stress levels, so it is worth trying this alongside the introduction.

Be patient!

The process of introducing a new cat takes time and patience and some cats will take longer than others, but even though they are solitary hunters by nature, they are social creatures and when introduced in the correct way, can live quite contently with each other.

Pet Food Banks
If you are struggling to feed your furry babies, there are a number of places that can help. It is nothing to be embarrassed about and your fellow humans will just be glad that you are coming forward to ensure your furries and family are fed. 
Your local human food bank may be able to supply you with some pet food, but there are also dedicated Pet Food Banks too. 
These are based at:
Blue Cross Rehoming and advice centre in Sheffield – https://www.bluecross.org.uk/PetFoodBank
Sheffield S6 Foodbank – https://sheffields6.foodbank.org.uk/
Trussell Trust – Handsworth Food bank, 07599878715    foodbank@gracechurchsheffield.co.uk
 
Times are very difficult at the moment, but hopefully it won’t always be like this. Please consider using a food bank when you need to and keep your loved ones, furry or not, fed and at home with you. 
Help With Vet Treatments
Vet Treatments including Neutering, Microchipping and Vaccinations
If you are struggling with vet bills or your pet needs treatment, please get in touch with PDSA (this is a vet charity), who may be able to help. As you can imagine, PDSA is in high demand, so there may be a little wait for their services if the case is not urgent, but they do very good work and may be able to help you in a big way. 
Other vet services may be able to be obtained from contacting your local RSPCA centre or the Cats Protection. 
Depending on your situation, you should also speak with your own local vet to see if there are any ways to pay off a bill in small amounts over a period of time (an agreed payment plan), some vets will do this, some can’t, but it’s certainly worth an ask. 

If there is any support you require that would help you to keep your cat in your home, rather than rehoming, please get in touch here

If you have read the above and would still like to rehome your cat, please fill out the relevent form found at the buttons below.