Where Can I Surrender My Cat?

The first thing we need to consider is whether we are making the right decision. Adopting a cat is an incredible process which brings so much joy into our homes. We can build real connections with felines that enrich our lives in ways we never thought possible. It is also a responsibility.

Too often, cats are adopted without this responsibility being carefully considered. Someone thinks that a kitten looks very cute and wants ownership of one, but they do not think about the practical care they will need. They may also not properly consider whether the living situation is suitable for a feline. In these cases, the guardian might resent the responsibility or even become bored if they don't meet their expectations.

In other cases, circumstances dictate that the cat needs surrendering to another party. These are valid reasons which may include the following:

• Development of allergies: it is possible to develop allergies to cats over time. The symptoms of allergies can make living with a cat very difficult and seriously decrease the qualities of life.
• Guardian health: it is also possible a guardian can develop a health problem completely unrelated to the cat, but which affects their ability to provide the level of care the cat needs. In these cases, the cat needs to be surrendered for their own well-being.
• Cat health: there are times when a cat may develop a health condition which requires very specialized care. This may be something the guardian cannot do due to physical, financial or even emotional limitations.
• Incompatibility with others: some cats simply cannot live with other animals. This could be due to poor socialization, trauma or other factors. In these cases, keeping the cat in the home can be to the detriment of others and they will need to be surrendered.
• Moving home: for whatever reason, we may not be able to keep a home. When we move, we need to consider many factors. It may not be possible to keep the cat in the new property.
• Behavioral problems: even with the help of a feline ethologist, there are cases when a cat develops behavioral problems such as aggression which put the well-being of themselves and others at risk. In these cases, surrendering the cat may be the best option.

Having to surrender a cat may be heartbreaking, but it may also be the best course of action. We look at the possible options to help prevent this, as well as what to do when you can no longer keep a cat in the home.

If we consider surrendering a cat, it may be due to our inability to meet their care needs. Before we give them up for good, we should consider what other options are available. We may have other responsibilities which keep us away from home. Hiring the help of a home guardian in the form of a cat sitter. This could be a professional, but it may also be someone we know who would enjoy spending time with the cat.

Having someone come in and help with the cat's care can go a long way to restoring balance to the home. Sometimes the problem is the behavior of the cat. In these cases, we should ensure we speak to a feline ethologist. This is someone with experience and expertise in cat behavioral training.

An ethologist can assess your cat's individual needs and implement strategies to help them overcome challenges. This often involves redirecting negative behaviors. The guardian will also need training to know how to care for the cat properly.

Unfortunately, hiring a sitter or an ethologist can be an expensive prospect. A sitter will need to be employed for a long time, an expense not many of us can afford. While an ethologist should have a more limited employment, behavioral training can take a long time.

When you have done all you keep the cat at home, but the situation becomes untenable, you will have to surrender the cat. In many cases, we might be able to find someone we know who is willing and able to adopt the cat. This means we not only provide the cat with a suitable new home, but we may still be able to remain in their lives to a more limited degree.

Speak to friends and family members to test the water. Some may have other animals which means the cat cannot live with them. Others may have a home that would benefit from a cat. This could be the case if the cat has already spent some time with them.

Surrendering a cat to someone we know can provide unseen complications. If the reason the cat cannot live with is because they are disruptive, we need to be honest when bringing up the subject. Not doing so can mean we cause harm to our relationship with this person.

One option for those who don't have family or friends nearby who can take care of their cat is to turn to cat kennels. This is only an option if you need to surrender the cat temporarily, such as moving for a short time. These are specialized establishments where cats are cared for for as long as necessary. They involve a fee and usually have admission requirements, such as ensuring the animal is up to date with all their vaccinations.

Before leaving your cat in a facility, it's a good idea to visit the facility and look for customer testimonials to ensure its reputation. A cattery isn't a permanent option, but it buys time until another alternative can be found for the feline. It means will still be fulfilling the commitment you made to your cat at the time of adoption to care for them throughout their lives.

Learn about the difference between adopting a male vs. female cat in our related guide.

When you need to surrender your cat permanently, sometimes there are no friends or family who can meet the responsibility. In these cases, we can consider putting the cat up for general adoption. This can be done by placing notices in the local community. A good place to start is at a veterinary clinic. You can even speak to the staff if they know of anyone who is willing to adopt.

You can also advertise on social media. Doing so allows you to use the networking of social media platforms to suggest possible guardians and you can use acquaintances as references.

Surrendering a cat for adoption is a process which can take time. This means it may not be a good option for someone who can longer care for a cat. For example, a sudden health issue may prevent you from doing so. When choosing someone for adoption, it is important you get to know them and see their home to ensure they are able to meet the responsibility.

The nature of animal shelters can vary greatly. In the USA and other countries, there is a key factor which differentiates two main types. This is the difference between kill animal shelters and no-kill animal shelters:

• Kill shelters: also known as open-admission animal shelters, these organizations take in all animals. Whether due to high intake or limites resources, these shelters may euthanize healthy animals.
• No-kill shelters: are generally more selective in which animals they will admit. If they feel like they cannot look after the animal, they may reject them. In these cases, they will never euthanize a healthy animal.

This is a very important consideration because we do not want our cat to be euthanized. If we surrender them to a kill shelter, we need to know this is a possibility. This is because the reasons we cannot keep the cat may be the same reasons they cannot be adopted by someone else. A no-kill shelter will be able to do the best they can to maintain them if they cannot be adopted.

Despite the good intentions of the shelter, there are some cats which will not be able to live in this environment. The felines are kept in cages in areas around other animals. This can seriously harm the cat's well-being and diminish their quality of life. This must be taken into consideration when looking for a shelter to surrender a cat.

While they are similar to shelters, animal humane societies and rescue organizations have a different approach to adopting cats. Firstly, animal shelters are usually publicly funded. They may have to meet quotas and have limited funds. The people who work there may care for the animals, but they may also face other pressures which make doing so difficult. This is the main reason why some are kill shelters, since they do not have the resources.

Humane societies and rescues are run by professionals and volunteers in animal welfare. Their responsibility is to the animals and they will often go the extra mile in trying to find somewhere the cat can be adopted. Being a non-profit means they consider animal welfare above all else. They are particularly good at creating a network of guardians who can either foster animals for a short time or for permanent adoption.

Discover more about management and cost optimization in shelter operations to learn more about these differences.

Cats are particularly sensitive to any change in their environment. If they are forced to leave their home, we should follow some recommendations to reduce the impact of the changes. Unfortunately, these may be less likely to be implemented if the cat is left in a kill shelter. Whether adopted by a friend or stranger, you should consider the following when surrendering your cat:

• Gradually adapt them to their new home: do not simply drop them off and leave them. You should start a schedule where you bring them for a short time and see how they react. As they gradually adjust, they will eventually be able to stay permanently. Use encouragement such as toys or even artificial pheromones to help them feel secure.
• Bring their accessories: when surrendering your cat, you should also hand over all of their toys and accessories. This includes important items such as their litter box. These items will help the cat to feel secure because they already have their own scent and will provide positive reinforcement.
• Maintain the cat's routine: this may be difficult since each home has their own routine. However, you should try to implement their original routine as much as possible unless it was one of the issues which harmed their well-being.
• Prepare a space for them: cats will need somewhere peaceful and quiet at the best of times, but especially when entering a new home. This will require giving them a comfy bed in a space which is free of food traffic and away from places that might cause them stress.
• Properly introduce them to other animals: if there are other animals in the home, introductions should follow proper guidelines to minimize stress and promote coexistence. You can check out our article on how to introduce a new cat to learn more about this process.

The process of surrendering a cat to a new home is difficult for both the cat and their guardian. You will need to prepare yourself both emotionally and practically for the changes. The new guardian will also have to do something similar. You can learn more with our guide on what to consider before adopting a kitten.

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