Information on adopting

Those who ask what difference does it make saving just one have not witnessed the joy of the one who is saved.

Process

1. Complete our adoption application form.

2. One of our Adoption team volunteers will contact you  to schedule an adoption interview. 
Following a successful adoption interview, if you are interested in meeting the cat, a visit will be arranged. Please be patient as visits must be arranged at a mutually agreeable time between you, the foster, and Kitty Kare.

3. If there are several people interested in a particular cat, you may be placed on a wait list of up to three people to meet the cat, in priority order.

4. If you fall in love on the spot (so easy with kitties!) we ask you to go home and think about it overnight, since it’s an important decision for you, the foster home, and the cat. We do not adopt out cats on the first meeting.

5. 
If it’s a match, the adoption fee must be paid prior to you picking up the cat and bringing it to your home.
 After adoption, we’ll keep in touch by email to make sure all is well and offer support, if needed.

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Note: there is no obligation on your part if you do not fall in love with the cat upon meeting him/her.

Kittens are adopted out after 8 weeks minimum and upon vet approval. When a kitten is adopted, our Adoption Contract requires that it will be spay/neutered. This is discussed in more detail with you upon adoption. We do not wish to add to the overpopulation problem.

Our cats must be kept indoors only. Some adopters put their cat in a harness and supervise while outdoors. 

Our rescues must also live in smoke-free homes. As with humans, animals suffer the consequences of second hand smoke.

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To apply to adopt a cat, you must be at least 18 years old.

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Our cats must not be declawed.  It is a painful procedure which can result in infection, disfigurement and behaviour problems which includes but not limited to litter avoidance. 22 countries have banned declawing as well as individual vet clinics in Canada –  it is an amputation of the first joint, not cutting off nails at the root.  Declawing also changes the cat’s physiology predisposing them to arthritis. Get your cat used to trimming their nails, use Soft Paws nail caps, use double sided sticky tape designed to discourage scratching, have available scratching posts/surfaces.

For the inexperienced pet owner, we will help set up the litter box, food and water centre and provide on-going guidance and support.

All cats are vet checked prior to adoption: de-wormed, vaccinated and spay/neutered if age appropriate.

If you decide to adopt and it is supported by the Kitty Kare representative, Kitty Kare will review the Adoption Contract and leave a copy with you for your records.

A Kitty Kare volunteer will call after a few weeks as a follow-up. Documents (vaccination records and history) will then be mailed to you.

Note: We reserve the right to refuse an adoption. We are careful as to where we place our rescues; we look for the right home; not the “right now” home. Although we take lists for first come and answer all adoption inquiries, we still look for the best possible match. Kitty Kare is the advocate and guardian for cats in our care and we have high but reasonable standards for their welfare and happiness. They can not choose their families so we take the responsibility of placement seriously. The cats trust us.

How much does it cost to adopt a cat or a kitten?

The adoption donation is $200 which can be made payable by cash or cheque at the time of donation or by eTransfer 24 hours prior to the adoption. The adoption donation covers out of pocket vet bills and cat care costs incurred by the rescue. Your donation goes towards a vet check, de-worming, first and second set of vaccinations, rabies vaccine, and spay or neuter at Crossroads Vet Clinic or the Thunder Bay District Humane Society. If you do not have the donation, the cat will be returned to the foster home until such time the donation is made.

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What is a supported adoption?

Some of our cats may have pre-existing medical issues. In these cases we may offer a supported adoption which means Kitty Kare will cover the costs of such things as food, medications and vet support for the duration of the cats life.

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Why adopt kittens from Kitty Kare when I can get them for free from people advertising in the paper or on-line?

Like puppy mills, when you adopt those kittens you are encouraging the owner not to spay their cat as they are able to adopt out the litter. Although there is never a guarantee regarding a cat’s future health, all our rescues are vet checked and up to date with their vaccinations. As well, when you adopt from Kitty Kare, you are saving a life.

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I have some kittens I need to find homes for. I have a cat that I can no longer keep. Will Kitty Kare take them?

Kitty Kare will help you re-home your cats if we have foster homes available. If there is room, the Humane Society will take ‘owner surrenders’ as well.