The short answer
To adopt a cat, decide what you can offer, find a shelter or rescue, meet some cats, fill in an application, pay the adoption fee and take your cat home. Give it a quiet room to settle in, and book a vet visit soon after.
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Is a cat right for you?
A cat can share your life for many years, so think it through before you visit a shelter. Ask yourself:
- Time. Cats need daily food, play, a clean litter box and company, even though they are more independent than dogs.
- Money. Food, litter, vet care and emergencies add up every year.
- Home. If you rent, check that your landlord allows cats, and ask about any pet deposit.
- Allergies. No cat is completely hypoallergenic. Spend time with a cat before you commit if anyone at home has allergies.
- Travel and change. Think about who will care for your cat when you are away, and how a move or new baby would affect it.
Where to adopt a cat
You can adopt from several kinds of places:
- Animal shelters and humane societies. They often have many cats of every age.
- Rescue groups. Many keep cats in foster homes, so they can tell you how a cat behaves in a real house.
- Breed-specific rescues, if you have your heart set on a certain breed. See our guide to cat types.
- Adoption search websites, such as Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet, which list cats from shelters and rescues near you.
Choose an organization that is open about the cat’s history and health, answers your questions, and takes the cat back if things do not work out.
Kitten, adult or senior cat?
There is no wrong choice, but each age suits different homes.
Kittens
- Playful and quick to bond
- Need more time, supervision and training
- Their adult personality is not yet known
- Two kittens often keep each other company
Adult and older cats
- Their personality is already clear
- Often calmer and easier to settle in
- Often overlooked in shelters
- May need a little extra health care as they age
Not sure how old a cat is in human years? Try our cat age chart.
How to choose the right cat
Spend time with the cat before you decide. Look at how it behaves, and let the cat come to you. A cat that is a little shy at first may relax once it feels safe.
Ask the shelter or rescue:
- What is the cat’s personality like, and how does it behave with people, children and other pets?
- What is its health history? Has it been tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)?
- Has it been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped?
- Why was it given up, if they know?
- Does it need any special food, medicine or care?
- What support do you offer after adoption?
The adoption process
Every organization is a little different, but most follow these steps:
- Application. You fill in a form about your home, your experience and your plans.
- Chat or interview. Staff may ask about your lifestyle, and some check references or your landlord’s permission.
- Meet the cat. You spend time together, sometimes more than once.
- Adoption fee and contract. The fee often helps pay for spay or neuter surgery, vaccines and a microchip, but this varies, so ask what is included.
- Take your cat home, with its records and any food or medicine instructions.
Some adoptions happen the same day. Others take a few days or longer.
What a cat costs
The adoption fee is only the start. Plan for these costs:
- Adoption fee
- Starter supplies, such as a litter box, carrier, bed and scratching post
- Food and litter, every month
- Vet care, including a first check-up, vaccines and yearly visits
- An emergency fund, or pet insurance if it suits you
- Boarding or a pet sitter when you travel
Prepare your home
Get ready before your cat arrives:
- A litter box in a quiet spot, away from food and water.
- Food and water bowls, and the same food the shelter has been feeding.
- A sturdy carrier for the trip home and vet visits.
- A scratching post and a few toys.
- A safe room where your cat can settle in, with a bed and a hiding place.
- Cat-proofing. Hide loose cords, secure windows, and remove plants that are toxic to cats. Lilies are especially dangerous.
The first days and weeks
- Start in one room. Let your cat explore the rest of the home slowly, when it feels ready.
- Expect hiding. Many cats hide for a few days. Stay calm, speak softly and do not force contact.
- Keep a routine. Feed, play and clean the litter box at the same times each day.
- Change food slowly, mixing the old and new food over about a week, if you change at all.
- Introduce other pets slowly, keeping them apart at first and letting them smell each other before they meet.
- Book a vet visit soon after adoption, even if your cat seems healthy.
- Update the microchip details with your name and phone number.
Behavior questions come up early. Our guides on why cats meow and kneading may help.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a cat only for its looks, without checking its personality.
- Letting a new cat roam the whole home on day one.
- Skipping the first vet visit.
- Forcing a shy cat to be held or petted.
- Not budgeting for ongoing costs.
Cat adoption questions
How long does it take to adopt a cat?
It depends on the organization. Some adoptions are completed in a day, while others take several days or weeks because of applications and checks.
Can I return an adopted cat?
Most shelters and rescues have a return policy and prefer you bring the cat back to them. Read the contract before you sign.
Is adopting cheaper than buying?
Adoption fees are often lower than breeder prices and may include spay or neuter surgery and vaccines. Costs vary, so ask what is included.
Should I adopt one cat or two?
Many cats do well alone, but kittens in particular often enjoy a companion. Ask the staff what suits the cat you are considering.
Can I adopt if I rent?
Often yes, but you need your landlord’s permission, and some organizations ask for proof.
Ready to name your cat?
Browse ideas on our cat names page, or find out which type of cat suits you in Breeds & Coats.
This guide is general information and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. Read our Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer.
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