Homepage / Cat Care / FAQs / CP & rehoming

Older cat in basket

Did you know that...

If you suspect that someone is being cruel to an animal you should contact the RSPCA on 0870 55 55 999 or visit their website. Cats Protection is a welfare and rehoming charity, we do not investigate cases of cruelty.

I can no longer care for my cat, what should I do?

There are many reasons why a cat is signed over to our care, from relationship break ups to elderly people having to go into a care home. It can be a heartbreaking time, and we will do all that we can, but you will need to be patient.

Our branches, in particular, can have long waiting lists for places in pens. With many requests for help, branches have to prioritise, giving assistance to cats in dire and immediate need of our help. Our adoption centres tend to have more facilities available, but will also be busy at peak times.

If you are sure that you can no longer care for your cat, the first thing to do is obtain the phone number of your local branch or adoption centre. You can do this from our website, by ringing our Helpline on 08702 099 099 or by looking in Yellow Pages. For branches, you may have to leave an answer phone message if you ring during the day, as many of the volunteers will be at work. Rest assured that your call will then be returned and suitable arrangements made.

If you choose to put your cat into Cats Protection's care you will be asked to sign to confirm the decision. This really is your last opportunity to reconsider your decision, as details of the cat's new owners will not, in any circumstances, be released later down the line.

Back to top



There's a stray in my garden, what should I do?

Given the nature of strays we would advise that you ask the inhabitants of your road whether there is a cat missing, often cats believed to be strays do in fact belong to someone local.

In many cases, we will not be able to come out and collect a stray immediately and would ask you to feed the cat until we can get someone to trap him (especially in the summer). During the colder winter we'll ask whether there is somewhere dry for the cat to go and food for him to eat, until we can get to you.

If a stray cat was injured we'd ask the finder to take the cat to the nearest vet. Once the cat is stable and the vet confirms that it has no owner, they may contact Cats Protection and request that we take him into our care.

Back to top

Reg Charity
203644 (England and Wales)
SC037711 (Scotland)
  • Volunteers    Media Center