Please find below a guide to our new hands-free homing process...

We’re keen to help as many cats as possible, both during the current crisis and beyond. Offering our
cats a home will help to free up more space to take in emergency cases.

We have therefore put in extensive procedures to make sure that our homing process is in line with
current government guidance, without putting adoptees or our volunteers at risk.     

Here is our guide to adopting a cat using hands-free homing

• We are unable to re-home cats other than in our postcode area NR30 - NR35. You can find your nearest
  branch by typing in your postcode at www.cats.org.uk/find-us. 

• Enquire. If you’ve found a cat on our website that you’re interested in homing, send an enquiry
  through using our form.  Please ensure that you complete the form fully as this gives us the
  initial information on which we decide whether to progress your application.

• Information gathering. If your initial enquiry is suitable for the cat in question we will ask you
  to complete a short form to provide some further information.  We will then contact you to
  request photos or a video of your home and garden - just the areas that the cat would have
  access to.

• Sharing information. We will then arrange a call with you to share more information about the
  cat, ask some final questions and share some Cats Protection recommendations.  At this stage
  you may also speak with the cat’s fosterer so that they can ask any specific questions relative
  to the needs of their foster cat.

• Reserve your cat. If you’re found to be a match for your chosen cat, you’ll be contacted via
  phone or email. You may be asked for proof of your address and the consent of your landlord
  (if you live in a rented property)

• Adopt. Once you have reserved your cat, you’ll be sent paperwork to sign and you’ll make a
  further telephone appointment with our team. In this call, you’ll have a chance to discuss
  everything you need to know about your cat. You’ll then pay the adoption fee, usually by bank
  transfer, of £75 for a cat (over 6 months of age) or £95 for a kitten (under 6 months of age), 
  these prices are current from 1st August 2022.

• Bringing your cat home. Once this is finalised, we’ll arrange for a driver to bring your cat
  safely to your home.  Social distancing measures as per Government guidelines, will need
  to be observed.

• Be supported. You’ll receive a follow-up call or email around three, seven and 21 days after
  the adoption to check that your new arrival is settled in. You can also find help and advice
  on the Cats Protection website at www.cats.org.uk/advice