ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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      • Rehoming
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Rehoming Your Cat

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Surrendering cats to shelters and rescue organizations by their owners is a nationwide problem. A study of 2,255 rescue organizations and animal shelters reported that 660,807 cats were relinquished by their owners in 2016 alone.

Most cats, especially senior cats, are overwhelmed by shelters. Because they are stressed and depressed, they may act antisocial or even aggressively. This greatly decreases their chances of being adopted. In the worst case scenarios, cats will shut down and stop eating. 

For the sake of your cat, and others without homes, 
it is important to take every step possible to avoid surrendering your cat.  

Behavioral issues:  Most behavioral issues an be solved! While many problems can be resolved or greatly reduced just by spaying/neutering your cat, some require patience and consistency. However, the payoff will be sparing your cat from intense emotional distress - and quite possibly saving her life!

Click here for solutions to common behavioral problems such as:
  • Not using, or missing, the litter box
  • Not getting along with family members or other pets
  • Scratching and chewing on household items and furniture
  • General aggression toward humans
  • General aggression toward other cats
  • Excessive meowing/yowling
  • Urine marking

Financial reasons: If you are considering surrendering your cat for financial reasons, there are organizations that can help you keep her.
  • Click here for a list of pet food banks (listed by state).
  • Click here for organizations that give financial aid grants for medical costs, and a list of low-cost and free clinics (listed by state)


--Skip the shelter!--
In the event that other circumstances outside of your control force you to seek a new home for your feline friend, the best thing you can do for them is find an adopter yourself, rather than taking them to a rescue or shelter. Passing your cat directly on to another loving home will save them pain and heartache. It will also help keep other cats in shelters from being euthanized due to lack of space.
​

The following steps can potentially make it easier to place your cat yourself:
  • Ensure that the cat is vaccinated, neutered, and that their veterinary records are up-to-date.
  • Be thorough and transparent about your cat’s history and behavior. If they have any medical issues, behavioral quirks, or just things to keep in mind, being honest about them from the start indicates that you are trustworthy to adopt from. More importantly, it helps to ensure that your cat will go to the home that is best prepared to offer the care they require.
  • Your local veterinarian, shelter, or rescue may accept advertisements, either by allowing you to place flyers on their premises or even posting a listing to their website. Some of these agencies also offer dedicated rehoming services, so check to see if that’s the case in your area.
  • Other public spaces such as churches, schools, or even your office can be good places to leave flyers. You can also advertise with a local newspaper.
  • These days, there are some great (free) websites and online communities that can connect you to potential adopters. Please browse through the links below to find the platforms that are right for you:
    Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet
    GetYourPet.com
    Home To Home
    You may also wish to consider social media options such as Nextdoor and Facebook groups for your area.


Other sites with helpful information:
Best Friends - Find a New Home for a Pet

Humane Society of the United States - Need to find your pet a new home? 


If all else fails, most states have cat sanctuaries dedicated to providing lifelong care to uprooted cats. ACR keeps a directory of known sanctuaries, but you may also wish to ask your local veterinarians or shelters for recommendations.

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  • Home
    • About ACR >
      • Our Team
      • History
      • Board of Directors
      • Email Sign-up
      • Financial Information
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Advice for Adopters
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partnerships
  • Action Alerts
    • The Feral Fix
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • Community Cats
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • Trap-Neuter-Return >
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Resources
      • Introduce TNR to Your Shelter
      • Solutions to Common Complaints
      • TNR Statistics
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • Providing Shelter
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • How to Adopt Out Cats
    • Protecting Cats During Winter
    • Protecting Cats During Summer
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook 2023 Ed
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vet Care Financial Assistance
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • FeLV and FIV
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • FIP
      • Rabies
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Poisonous Hazards >
      • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Introducing Cats
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • AWC Photo Contest
  • Donate
  • Store