Adopting a rescue cat

Why choose a rescue cat?

Approximately 20,000 cats are rescued every year, and around 24% are adopted from a UK rehoming charity. Whether you’re looking for your first feline friend or want to expand your cat family, adopting a cat is a great option, with so many needing rescue.

If you’ve always wanted a furry companion, adopting a rescue cat or kitten means you can provide a cat in need with a new start in life. Many cats have been abandoned, harmed, or had owners who were no longer able to care for them. 

Adoption can give them a second chance at finding a loving home.

Adopting a rescue cat is rewarding, but it’s also a big commitment that you’ll need to be prepared for. Read on to discover how to adopt a cat and what to expect from a rescue cat before you bring one home.

Rescuing a cat: the process

1. Search for rescue cats available for adoption

The first step to finding your new rescue cat is locating a reputable shelter or charity. Cats Protection, Blue Cross, and RSCA are all good places to start. You can also search for your local rescue centres online. From there, you can check if they are an indoor or outdoor cat, whether they can live with other animals, and more.

2. Fill in a homing questionnaire

Once you’ve found your furry friend, you will be required to fill in an application form – also known as a Homing Questionnaire – and send it to the relevant centre for a cat-matching process. They’ll advise whether you’re a successful match and answer any questions you might have. There are various things to be aware of when adopting a cat, so be prepared – some centres may ask you to send photos of your home along with the application.

3. Visit the centre

It’s time to meet your new best friend. If your application is accepted, you’ll be asked to arrange an appointment at the centre to visit your new potential rescue cat. Consider bringing someone along, like a family member, housemate, or friend, to meet the new addition to your home. This also helps to rule out any allergies.

4. Set up a home visit

The centre will then arrange a home visit so that they can give you tips on preparing your home when adopting a cat. They can advise on how to create a nice environment, the right food to get, and toys they might like. Plus, they will give any tips you may need on caring for your rescue cat to keep them safe and happy.

How to settle a rescue cat into a new home

When you bring your new feline friend home, you should ensure you have everything they need ready so they can settle right in. A few key things to have organised include:

• Food and water bowls
• Food
• Bed
• Scratching post
• Toys
• Litter tray
• Collar with their name tag on

Once you’ve got the essentials, you need to curate a calming environment for them to come home to.

Create safe spaces

Providing your cat with several places to hide around your home is key. From somewhere for them to snuggle up, to igloos and cosy blankets, there are plenty of things you can buy to help make sure they have safe places to call their own. If you already have other pets, it’s even more important your new rescue cat has places that are just for them, so they can take a break whenever they need to.

Find a place for their litter tray

This will need to be kept away from their food and water, and separate to where they sleep. Be sure to consider the fact that litter trays sometimes get a bit smelly. You might want to keep it in a place like the utility room or conservatory out of the way.

Escape-proof your house

The centre will advise you as to how long you should keep your cat inside once you bring them home, but it’s usually about two weeks. Be careful when opening and closing doors, and ensure windows can’t be pushed open during this time. One of the risks with rescue cats who are scared or nervous when settling into a new environment is that they might bolt and try to escape.

Tips and tricks for helping your rescue cat settle in

Here are a few tips on how to make your rescue cat comfortable in its new pad:

• A lot of rescue cats can find their first few days in a new home a bit overwhelming. Be sure to give them time and space to settle in properly. While you might be super excited to show off your new cat to friends and family it can be a good idea to let your cat adjust to their surroundings and get confident with you before inviting them round to meet him or her

• Always bend down to your cat’s level too and be sure to let them come to you, rather than the other way around. If you call their name softly and put out your hand, you’ll be able to slowly build a relationship with them

• Remember that different breeds of cats all have their own individual quirks and personality traits, so it’s important to read up on them first. Visit our cat breed guides to learn more about your new furry friend before you bring them home

Introducing a rescue cat to other pets and children

When introducing a rescue cat to other pets and children, the key is to take things slowly and watch the reactions of all parties, especially the pets. You should let your rescue cat have a few days to settle and decompress in a safe space when you first bring them home, before you start introducing new, furry friends or children.

Introducing a rescue cat to young children

Growing up with a pet is highly rewarding for many children, but all children, and especially younger kids, need to be taught how to behave to ensure the cat is comfortable. 

Cats in general, and nervous rescue cats in particular, don’t like being grabbed unexpectedly, and can get upset by loud, unpredictable behaviour. Teach your child the following, and you’ll soon have two purrfect pals!

• Cats need privacy and space when they’re eating, drinking, sleeping, or going to the toilet, so make sure your child knows to leave them alone when they’re doing those things

• Let the cat approach the child, not the other way around. You can get your child to sit quietly and hold out their hand for the cat to sniff at first

• Never force a cat to come to you – let them do things at their own pace, and give them an escape route if they want to leave the room

• Show your child how to handle the cat gently and in ways they will enjoy – show them how to touch them nicely and where and how not to touch them

• Emphasise that cats should never be grabbed or picked up against their will

In the first few days, you can also give your rescue cat a blanket or soft toy that smells like your child, so they can get used to the scent before they meet.

Introducing a rescue cat to other pets

Cartoons and the media often portray cats and dogs as natural enemies, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

In fact, it can be easier to introduce a rescue cat to a resident dog than to another cat. Just like with children, the slower you take the introductions, the less chance there is of something going wrong, so be prepared to be patient before you reach the stage of shaking paws.

• Scent swapping – before your cat and dog ever meet, you can get them used to each other’s scents by giving them each a blanket the other has used or stroking them both separately with a soft cloth and leaving that cloth lying around. If they avoid the scent, this process will take more time

• Once they show no reaction to the other’s scent, you can start face-to-face introductions. Keeping your dog calm is essential here – take them for a long walk first

• In cat to dog introductions, your focus should be on the dog; otherwise they can become jealous and think the cat is more important. Try doing some calm training exercises with your dog while the cat is in the room – sit and lie down are good behaviours for the cat to observe

• Make sure your cat can escape up high or out of the room if they want to – you might want to keep your dog on a lead the first few times

• For the first face-to-face introduction, it can help to have a barrier such as a stairgate between your dog and your rescue cat. This way, they can see and smell each other

The key is to take things at a rate that both animals are comfortable with. If either one shows anxiety, fear or a desire to escape, let them. You can always backtrack a few stages and start building up again.

Benefits of adopting a cat

There are many great benefits to adopting a rescue cat, for you and for the cat.

• You’ll be helping give a new lease of life to a cat that needs a good home

• If you choose a reputable adoption centre, your rescue cat will most likely already be microchipped, neutered, and fully vaccinated, meaning fewer up-front costs for you

• The adoption centre will take the time to find the right rescue cat for your home and family. Cats that have previously lived in another home come with a lot more background information than kittens from breeders, so you’re more likely to find your perfect match

• Many adoption centres also provide free aftercare, so if you run into any behavioural issues with your rescue cat, help is always on hand

Can you insure an adopted cat?

Yes, Sainsbury’s Bank Cat Insurance covers all types of cats, including insurance for adopted cats, until they are ten years old. Pet insurance provided by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd.