So you have found yourself in a situation where you are prepared to give up your cat(s) and you're probably wondering how to go about doing it. First, let's see if you can fix the situation before taking a drastic action.
Common reasons that people give up their cats :
Medical issues (e.g. asthma, allergies) : Can you be on medication? I have a cousin who shaves down his cat due to his allergies.
Financial issues: Can someone help you out temporarily? Can you do a go fund me fundraising? Can you pay on credit? Yes, vet bills are a killer in Singapore.
No time (e.g. travelling for work): Can you engage a sitter when you travel? Can you place your cat in a boarding facility when you are away?
Going overseas / migration: Especially for expats, this possibility should have been considered and talked through before adoption. The only time this is an unacceptable excuse is if the cat (s) is unfit for travel.
Behavioral issues / cats not getting along / cat is fierce: Did you rule out medical issues, which is a contributing factor to behavioral issues? Can you engage a behaviorist to help you? I have dealt with several cases where the owner was ready to let go of the cat and it turned out that they just weren't paying attention to the fact the cat was actually sick.
Divorce / breakup : Is there someone who can look after the cats while you sort out your situation? Can you board the cats temporarily till you get your own home?
I have children now, no time for the cats: I sincerely have no kind words for this reason. Children should never be an excuse for abandoning your cat. You should have though of this prior.
I have tried EVERYTHING and I simply cannot keep the cat(s). What do I do?
These are the recommended steps to take if you really need to rehome your cat. Please bear in mind there are hundreds of cats who are looking for forever homes and it takes time. The "supply" simply doesn't meet the "demand".
1. Do up a simple, yet detailed Adoption Poster
Prepare a simple poster with your cat's picture, basic details such as name, age, gender, health status and behavior. Indicate if they can be separated or adopted together (if more than 1 cat). Be HONEST about medical or behavioral issues. Sample below:
2. Spread the word!
Put up the posters on legit websites and forums. Below are some useful links. Bear in mind that you will need to keep posting and just 1 post isn't sufficient. Sample below:
Cat Welfare Society:
Facebook Pet Forums:
3. Screening potential Adopters
DO NOT just give away the cat(s) to any Tom, Dick or Harry who wants them just because you are desperate to get rid of them. Remember that they were once your babies and you want the best forever home for them.
You want a good family who is financially stable, will provide vet care, will not neglect, abandon or abuse them and who will provide a safe environment for them.
You want a good family who is willing to provide nutritious food, ample space, toys, a clean litter and is willing to follow any vet recommended requirements e.g. if the cat suffers from diabetes, then it should be on a prescribed diabetic diet.
Okay, what should I look out for?
Read through Cat Welfare Society's adoption procedures and get potential adopters to fill in the Adoption Questionnaire (https://www.catwelfare.org/adoptions/adoption-procedure/)
Ensure that you do a house visit BEFORE sending over the cat to meet the family members, see the environment and see if the family is suitable. What will they feed the cat? Do they have a selected vet?
Potential Red Flag - Unwilling to fill any form or agree to a house visit
Potential Red Flag - Rental Flats (mainly low incomers who are allocated a flat for a low monthly cost by HDB. Non permanent housing, and often may not be able to afford proper care and often rely on government financial assistance. Find out their situation thoroughly before considering)
Potential Red Flag - Too many existing cats
Potential Red Flag - A dirty home, smelly home with existing cat (s)
Potential Red Flag - A noisy home with boisterous, screaming young children (stressful environment for the cat)
4. Adoption Fee and Adoption Contract
It is encouraged to impose a reasonable adoption fee for breed cats in order to ensure that the Adopter is capable of paying it, as many will come forward to adopt breed cats. You will want to ensure that it is for good intentions and to resell the cat. Usual fees range from $50 to $150. If the Adopter seems legit and financially stable, you can consider waiving it off. Rescuers implement adoption fees to cover their basic costs of rescuing the cat and doing the basic medical tests.
It is very important to have an Adoption Contract signed to avoid future conflicts. You can find a sample of Cat Welfare Society's contract here: (https://www.catwelfare.org/adoptions/adoption-procedure/)
Many seasoned rescuers have perfected their Adoption Contracts and have even sought legal opinions to ensure it protects the cat(s).
5. Home Trial, Confirmation & Handover
A 1 month home trial is advisable to ensure that the Adopter and cat(s) gel together and that it is the right forever home for the cat(s). The Adopter should update you frequently during this trial to flag out any issues, and update on how it's going. If all is well, your cat(s) have found their new forever home!
If your Adopter is comfortable enough to keep in touch with you after the home trial, or has an Instagram for the cat(s) for you to "stalk", then you're in luck!
However, be reasonable and remember that it was YOUR choice to give the cat(s) away and you should not be imposing on their new Owners. You are no longer the owner henceforth and should respect their privacy.
It is time to relinquish your "ownership" and hand over all documents e.g. vaccination cards, blood test results, microchip transfer etc, and pray that you made the right decision.
Please find below a concise infographic on the above for your reference.
© The Cat Whisperer Singapore
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