Interview any perspective new owners before allowing your cat to enter a new home.
There are several reasons that a cat must be given up or removed from the home, including an extreme allergy or impending move. The new home for this cat is found through several sources, from newspaper ads to a visit at the veterinarian. Do your homework about the new home for your pet before handing it over.
Before Rehoming
Before you even begin the rehoming process, there are several steps that must be taken to ready the cat for its new residence. Consider having the cat spayed or neutered. The home that cat is being given to may consider breeding the cat, which will only add to the pet population issues faced in the United States. Take the cat to the veterinarian to have a check-up and to get it up-to-date on any vaccinations. Take this time to ask the veterinarian for the cat's past medical records. Speak to any children in the home and explain the reasons for the rehoming. Allow the children time to say goodbye to the cat before you place one ad in the paper or contact one potential new home.
Finding a Home
Ask friends and family members to give your cat a new home before placing any ads. This will allow the family access to its former pet while providing a safe and loving home with a family you already know. If this is not possible, advertise in your local newspapers, online on websites such as Craigslist or through a local veterinarian. The cat can be given away for free or you can ask for a small rehoming fee, which will help recoup some of the money spent on the cat.
Interview Process
Once a potential new home is located ask a few questions before giving away or selling the cat. Inquire about the state of the home and the number of members in the family. Ask if all of the family members have agreed on owning the cat or if this decision is made on a whim or against the wishes of some people in the household. These questions will help you get an idea about the environment the cat will enter. Do not be afraid to turn down a family if the situation does not seem nurturing or safe for the cat.
Animal Shelter
A local animal shelter or feline rescue is another option to consider when rehoming a cat. Some shelters require a small fee be paid if you are surrendering an animal. Inquire if the shelter euthanizes animals or is a "no kill" facility, if you have strong feelings on the subject. Take this opportunity to donate all of the cat's former belongings, such as litter boxes, cat food or toys to the shelter as well. Call the shelter periodically to check up on the cat and let friends, family members or co-workers know that the cat is available for adoption.
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