Adoption Policies
- All cats must be placed in a household that meets the needs of both the cats and the adoptive family. Some adult cats are independent and prefer to be the only cat in the household and some prefer and need other cat/pet companionship. Some cats do well with dogs and some are not dog-compatible. Some are active and enjoy a busy household with children and some need a quiet, calm environment with only mild-mannered adults. We do our best to evaluate the personality and needs of each rescue cat and will do our best to find a good match between the rescue cat and its prospective adoptive family.
- Young kittens need companionship and we ask that the household have another pet for companionship (another suitable cat or dog) in order to adopt a single young kitten or they should consider adopting a pair of kittens (or a cat/kitten pair) at the same time. Older kittens may be suitable for adoption as an only cat. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis and will consider the personality of the cat(s) available for adoption. At times we have a bonded pair of cats/kittens that will be required to be adopted together for the happiness and welfare of those cats. If they are listed as a bonded pair, separate adoptions are not an option.
- All adopted cats must be strictly indoor pets and may not go outside unless they are in a carrier or accompanied by the Adopter while on a leash (which is an option but not recommended). Most of our rescues were found on the streets because they were abandoned, lost, etc. and were not in the best of health (mentally and/or physically) when they were rescued. Some have significant illnesses and injuries and require significant medical care. We do not want our rescues to potentially face that situation again and want them living in a safe, secure, indoor loving environment. Exceptions are occasionally made (particularly for cats that have difficulty accepting a strictly indoor home life) by the Rescue and are considered on a case by case basis.
- We feed all our cats wet food as well as some dry food and strongly recommend that all Adopters continue to feed their cats wet food (mixed with additional warm water). Feeding wet food with additional warm water significantly helps prevent urinary track blockages caused by crystals forming in the urine. This is particularly important for male cats but can impact female cats, too. In the wild, a cat’s natural diet consists of things like mice, rats, and birds whose bodies consist of a large percentage of water (as is the case with people, too). Therefore, an all dry food diet can be dehydrating for cats (male and female) and many don’t drink enough water to be well hydrated. Cats fed wet food are generally healthier and we want all of our cats to continue to be fed at least 3 oz of wet food a day plus some dry food, daily.
- No cats adopted from CCRR may ever be declawed. Although cat scratching is a normal, expected cat behavior, it can be dramatically reduced with proper care. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not scratch their nails to make them sharper. Cats scratch their nails to shorten/dull them. Cats need to have their nails trimmed regularly and if a cat’s nails are trimmed every month, the cat will scratch less. Monthly nail trimming is strongly recommended. If you need assistance in learning how to trim their nails, please ask for a demonstration. Declawing an adopted cat is prohibited at any time. The outdated practice of declawing is painful, cruel, affects the cat’s natural ability to jump and climb, and can have permanent negative effects on a cat both physically and/or mentally. We strongly recommend that all adopted cats be provided with scratch posts or cardboard scratchers (or both). Sticky adhesive tape made to protect furniture is also available for purchase at various retailers. Some adopters put nail caps on their cats to prevent furniture scratching.
- All cats placed for adoption have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and the first distemper vaccination, as needed. We don’t know the past medical history of most of our rescues so we vaccinate them as if they have never had vaccinations before. Generally, young kittens initially require 3 distemper shots about 3-4 weeks apart. Older kittens and adult cats require 2 distemper vaccinations. Depending on the vet, some vets then give distemper shots annually and some give them every 3 years. Adopted cats typically require at least one (and possibly 2) additional distemper vaccinations after adoption. The rabies vaccine that the cat received is a one-year rabies shot. After one year, the next required rabies vaccine will typically be a 3-year vaccine but the Adopter must have the documentation that the initial 1-year vaccine was given the previous year.
- All cats have been blood tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids and are negative for both unless indicated otherwise. We rarely adopt out Feline Leukemia positive cats but occasionally adopt out FIV+ cats and inform the Adopter that the cat is immune compromised and may lead a relatively long normal life or it is possible they will develop complications and become ill and live a shorter life. The lifespan of a Feline Leukemia positive cat is typically no more than 2-3 years and there is no treatment to cure or significantly extend the lives of these cats at this time.
- All cats have been given an initial dose of Revolution which treats fleas, ticks, ear mites, heartworm and intestinal worms and/or given alternative treatments/wormers as needed. Follow up treatments may be required. We strive to adopt out cats that are free of fleas but no flea medication on the market is 100% effective. Furthermore, different wormers treat different kinds of worms and the wormers only kill adult worms and don’t kill worm eggs so we can’t guarantee the cat will not need further treatment in the future if the cat has worm eggs that continue to hatch. Repeated worming will eventually eradicate the worms. We recommend that every cat undergo a stool sample evaluation at their vet 2-4 weeks after adoption to verify if the cat requires further treatment. Stool samples run too soon after a worming medication was given will give a false impression that the worms are all killed unless eggs are detected.
- If the adoption doesn’t work out for any reason, we will take the cat back and find it another home that is right for that cat. Occasionally a situation arises in which the adopter is unable to keep the cat or the cat and adopter are just not the right fit for some reason. The Adopter may return the cat if the cat fails to adjust to the new home, or if the personality turns out not to match the Adopter’s expectations, or if the owner changes their mind, or if the cat or Adopter falls seriously ill soon after adoption, etc. If the adopted cat is returned during an initial adjustment period, the adoption fee is returned to them. If the Adopter returns the cat after months/years, the adoption fee is considered to be non-refundable as stated in the adoption contract.
- If you are considering adopting a cat(s), please be aware that you will need basic food and supplies for your cat(s). These include canned food, dry food, bowls (for water, wet food, and dry food), toys (both interactive and regular toys), cardboard or other type of cat scratcher, a litter box, cat litter, litter scoop, and a cat carrier. Most cats love tall cat trees and they are highly recommended. Some cats love cat beds while others prefer human beds, chairs, or the floor. Cats often enjoy cardboard boxes as well. Some cats like catnip toys while others have no reaction to them at all. Cat nail clippers are another item that is strongly recommended. Please ask about coupons available for new Adopters.
- If someone is interested in adopting a cat, they need to first fill out an Adoption Application. An Adoption Application can be downloaded above. The information in the Adoption Application will be reviewed and discussed with an Adoption Representative. If the application is approved, the Adoption Representative must verify the Adopter’s phone number by sending the Adopter a text and showing the Adoption Representative that the text has been received. The Adopter must show a valid driver’s license to verify the name/address of the Adopter matches the information provided on the Adoption Application. The Adopter must agree to have an adoption representative conduct a home visit to see where the cat will be living. Home visits may be conducted either before or after the adoption has taken place.
- All adopters who live in a rented household must show proof that the rental is pet friendly and allows the number and type of pet being adopted to that rental home. The adopter may show their lease which specifies any requirements of having a pet living in the rental property. The prospective adopter may also supply a name and phone number of the rental property office so we can verify that the cat(s) requested to be adopted are permitted by the rental property.
- If the Adoption Application is approved, the adoption is completed by both the Adopter and the Adoption Representative filling out an Adoption Contract. Then the Adopter receives the cat and its medical records upon receipt of the adoption fee. The adopted cat may not be released to any Adopter without being properly secured in an appropriate cat carrier. It is never acceptable to hand carry a cat home or use a leash and harness at the time of adoption. Both the Adopter and the Rescue receive a copy of the Adoption Contract and the Adopter receives the original copy of the cat’s medical records.
- After the adoption has taken place, an Adoption Representative will contact the Adopter via text to check up on how the adopted cat is adjusting to its new home environment. Contact will continue until it appears that the cat has fully adjusted and everything is going smoothly. Adopters are welcome and encouraged to contact an Adoption Representative to discuss any questions and/or concerns about the cat’s care or adjustment or any other questions that may arise at any time. Home visits may be conducted either before or after the adoption has taken place. Future updates by the adopter are welcome and encouraged. We love updates!
- A Foster-to-Adopt option is available on a case-by-case basis for anyone who wants to foster a cat/kitten and determine if the cat is a good fit for their family before formally adopting them. Foster-to-adopt cases are those in which the family agrees to foster the cat and treat it as part of their family with the intent to adopt the cat if the adjustment goes smoothly. Foster-to-adopt is also used when a cat/kitten is not yet ready for adoption (e.g. waiting for an appointment to be vetted) and it is in the cat’s and adoptive families’ best interests to take possession of the cat before it is ready to be formally adopted. Foster-to-adopt families are responsible for daily care and feeding and routine veterinary care of the cat at their own expense (beyond the standard veterinary care provided by the rescue). However, the cat is still owned by the rescue and all standard veterinary care and any pre-existing veterinary needs will still be covered by the rescue before the cat is formally adopted.
- We do adopt out feral, semi-feral, and occasionally friendly cats to farms as barn cats. The barn cat Adopter must agree to appropriately feed barn cats daily and provide shelter for all weather conditions. Please ask for further assistance to request barn cats.