At Battersea, we know that life doesn’t always go to plan. Sometimes, being a loving pet owner means making tough decisions, and deciding to rehome your cat can be one of the toughest.
No matter your circumstances, we will listen without judgement, and do what we can to make things as simple as possible. We’ve been finding loving new homes for beloved pets for 160 years and our staff are dedicated to caring for every cat. We will help them to settle in, get to know their individual quirks, and do everything we can to find the best possible home for them.
If you need our help in rehoming your cat, please contact your closest centre below.
Our priority is the welfare of our animals, and we are taking active steps to monitor the cats currently in our care to ensure they are kept cool and comfortable in the hot temperatures we are currently experiencing.
*Calls cost 5p per minute from a BT landline, mobile charges may vary. All income donated from these calls will go toward the care of the dogs and cats at Battersea.
Rehome your cat with Battersea – what happens next?
Battersea's core mission is never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help, and we are committed to ensuring that every dog and cat receives the highest standards of care.
When you get in touch with us we will take your details and find out everything you want to tell us about your cat as well as any important information.
Take a look at this video for more information on what to expect when you rehome your cat with Battersea:
While we take the time to consider each case and situation individually, at times we may not be able to take your cat in straight away, but we will always discuss all options with you and do what we can to support you with your decision.
Please note, appointments are available Monday to Friday during standard working hours and also at weekends at our London centre. In an emergency we may be able to accept cats outside of these times, but please be aware that veterinary and behavioural staff may not be immediately available at our centres due to the time of day.
Our core mission is never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. However, for the wellbeing of your pet we may need to make difficult decisions. It is important that you fully understand our policies including those around no reclaim of ownership or your pet being put to sleep.
Read our intake policy
Not local to Battersea? Contact your local rescue centre
Rescue centres have access to lots of potential new loving homes for your cat, and the time, resources and expertise to find them the one that feels like home again.
We know that circumstances change quickly, but rescue centres like Battersea and lots of others are here to help, so please don’t be afraid to get in touch.
Who will look after my cat when I'm no longer here?
Battersea’s Forever Loved is a free service that will ensure your cat will be looked after should you pass away before them. By signing up you can be reassured that, should the worst happen, Battersea will be there to care for and rehome your pet, and give them the happy, loving future you would want for them. Find out more and how to join our Forever Loved Service.
Report it
If you find a cat and Battersea is one of your local rescue centres you can report it to us and we will do our best to ensure a happy reunion or rehome.
Report a lost or found animal
Is your cat have a hard time finding the litter box? Are your cat's claws ruining your furniture? Are your allergies too much to bear? There are lots of reasons why you found Rehome, and we want to help. If you are still open to see a way to keep your cat, check out our resource guide.
If you are confidant finding a new home is the best option for you and your pet then you have found the right place. Rehome will do everything we can to find the right home for your cat.
Whether your cat is a kitten Korat, loving LaPerm or a sweet Siamese, all are welcome to find a new home on Rehome. We ask you be honest about any biting or behavioral issues when posting your pet so you can discover the right home for your cat.
Be honest when providing information about your cat. You should be clear about what home and family you want for your cat (be frank about special medical needs and behavioral issues). You want to find potential adopters that are the right fit for your cat and ready to provide a home where they can be safe and loved. Start off by giving potential adopters the detail they need to know about your pet so that they can determine if they are a good fit before taking steps to apply.
Tip: Posting photos and videos is essential in helping your cat get adopted. Show your car people, dogs, and other cats if they get along with them. See our photo and video tips section for more information.
Some cats are adopted within a week or so once posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com, sometimes it can take longer. We have seen cats that never get inquired about and some pets that are inquired about but never adopted.
Trends we’ve found:
- Younger cats tend to get more inquiries than older cats
- The more detailed the profile, the better! Post good photos, videos, and stories to showcase a cat's personality!
A tip from us:
- The sooner you can get your cats' profile posted to our website, the more opportunity it is for us to spread the word about your pet by posting his/her profile on partner websites and in our daily ‘New Pet Alerts’ emails.
If you find yourself responsible for rehoming a cat, you may be overwhelmed by the process. Learning how to rehome a cat, from finding a loving home to taking care of the cat's needs in the meantime, takes time and patience, but there some strategies you can follow to help ease the burden of finding a new forever family.
Rehoming a Cat: First Things First
There are a few scenarios in which a cat may need to be rehomed, with two of the most common occurring when a pet parent has died or can no longer take care of their cat. It's never easy to rehome a pet, particularly under circumstances when everyone — including the cat — is grieving, but before surrendering them to a shelter, consider fostering the cat yourself or ask a trusted relative or friend.
While you look for a new cat family, here are some things you can do to make a cat comfortable in your home:
Once the cat is safe and comfy, you can start your search.
How To Rehome a Cat
Best-case scenario, the cat's original pet parent maintained records of the kitty's medical history, including the name of their veterinarian, food preferences and even the microchip company (this will make changing the contact information much easier). Even without meticulous records, it's easier than you might think to get the cat in tip-top shape for adoption.
Medical Updates
Even if you have medical records, take the cat to the vet's office for a wellness check, including vaccine updates and prescription refills if necessary. Ideally, bring them to their current vet's office, but taking them to your own vet is just fine, too. Ask for hard copies of the cat's records and bring them with you when you meet with interested adopters.
While you're there, consider having the cat spayed or neutered if they aren't already. Spaying and neutering will increase the cat's chances of being adopted because, as the ASPCA pointed out, these procedures eliminate pregnancy and greatly reduce the chances of certain illnesses, among other benefits. Neutering in particular cuts down on unwanted behaviors of male cats, including spraying and aggression.
Start Spreading the Word
Once the cat is ready for adoption, you can use the magic of social media to your advantage. Take cute photos and write up a fun post that highlights the cat's personality and situation, but be honest. You can also create a social media account just for the cat to showcase their adoptability! Then, contact trusted organizations such as local animal rescue groups, shelters or vet offices to see if they will share your post.
Don't forget about low-tech strategies. Word-of-mouth and posting flyers are very effective ways to find a good home for a cat. Share the news with your network of friends, family and coworkers. The more people who know, the merrier the cat's life will be.
Before deciding on your cat's new home, screen each and every potential adopter carefully. As PAWS Chicago emphasized, "Be very careful when handing your pet over to a stranger you have met online or through acquaintances. Make sure that you check references to ensure the person is responsible and ask that they reach back out to you in the event that they can no longer care for your pet. In fact, it is best to document those stipulations in a contract to show your seriousness." You are the cat's advocate: Only entrust them to a safe and loving household.
Choosing an Animal Shelter
If you must surrender the cat to a shelter, choose one that will take good care of them and make a real effort to find them a home. The Hill's Food, Shelter & Love program is a great resource for finding a reputable shelter.
Rehoming a cat is an emotional experience, but it can be rewarding to know you've found the perfect pet parents for a kitty needing a home.
Christine O'Brien
Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is a professional member of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA), a STEAM educator, and a devoted cat parent. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien