How To Rehome Your Cat Responsibly And Humanely

Cats can be a handful. They can be mischievous, they scratch furniture, they howl, and they puke in the worst places. They can also be expensive, and it can be hard to find someone to take them off your hands. If you're looking to get rid of your cat, there are a few options. You could try to find someone you know personally to take them, or you could post on Craigslist or Facebook. If you're worried about your cat ending up in a cage, you could try to rehome them yourself using a service like Rehome, which allows you to post your pet for millions of adopters to see. If you're dealing with a stray cat, there are several ways to deter them from your yard, including sprinkling citrus peels or ground pepper in problem areas.

Rehoming your cat yourself

If you are considering giving up your cat, it is worth noting that shelters can be stressful environments for pets. Cats that are used to living in a comfortable home may struggle to adjust to a shelter with other animals and people they don't know. Shelters may also have limited space, which can cause additional stress for your cat.

To give your cat the best shot at finding a new home, it's a good idea to try rehoming them yourself. This way, they can stay with you while you search for a new family, reducing their stress and helping them to adjust more easily to their new home.

Where to start

Begin by asking your friends and family if they would like to adopt your cat. You can also make a profile on Rehome, which allows you to post your pet on Adopt a Pet for millions of adopters to see. When you rehome your cat yourself, you can choose the right family based on your cat's needs, meet potential adopters, and ask questions to ensure they are a good fit.

Other options

If you are unable to find someone to take your cat, you can surrender them to an open admissions shelter or rescue organisation. However, keep in mind that shelters may have limited resources to screen adopters, and your cat may end up in a situation that isn't ideal. Another option is to contact local foster-based rescues, as people do adopt older cats.

Using deterrents and repellents

There are several deterrents and repellents you can use to keep cats away from your yard, gardens, and flower beds.

Scents

Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus deter cats. You can also add the herb rue to gardens or sprinkle dried rue over gardens or landscaping.

Motion-activated sprinklers

These devices emit an infrared field and are connected to a hose. When a cat enters the field, it shoots out a burst of water. The cats are not actually wetted, but they are frightened. After a few months, the cats learn the boundaries of the infrared field and avoid entering it.

Motion-activated ultrasonic sound devices

These products emit a burst of ultrasonic sound (inaudible to humans) that startles cats who pass into the device’s range. A single device will deter cats from doorways, but two or three may be needed to keep cats away from flower beds and smaller yards.

Digging deterrents

• Plastic mats with flexible plastic spikes placed on the ground with the spike side up.
• Push chopsticks into small potted plants.
• Use pine cones, lava rocks, concrete pavers or stones as mulch to prevent cats from digging.
• Place large river rocks throughout the garden.
• Use poultry fencing or landscape wrap around plants.
• Place small-gauge chicken wire just under the soil.
• Use a plastic carpet runner with the knobby side up.
• Embed wooden chopsticks, pine cones, or sticks with dull points deep into the soil with the tops exposed eight inches apart.

Other deterrents

• Place an outdoor litter box (with a mound of sand, dirt, or soft-particle mulch) in a hidden and secluded area far from unwelcome areas.
• Use commercial cat-fencing products that consist of netting cats can't scale.
• Install rolling bars on top of existing fences. When cats try to scale the fence, they’ll grab onto the bar, which then spins and forces them to jump back down.

Trapping, neutering, and returning

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a method of humanely and effectively controlling the population of free-roaming cats. It involves three steps: trapping, neutering, and returning.

Trapping

The first step is to humanely trap all the cats in a colony. This can be done using a humane plastic or metal cat box trap with a door. Bait the trap with tuna, sardines, or cat food, and place it near where the cats regularly feed, covering it with a blanket. When a cat is caught, do not let it out of the box trap, but cover the trap with a blanket to calm it down.

Neutering

The second step is to take the trapped cats to a veterinarian or clinic to be neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (the universal sign that a cat has been neutered). Many vets have programs that allow them to neuter feral cats at no cost. It is also best practice to microchip community cats during this process so that they can be identified if they are picked up by animal control or impounded in a shelter.

Returning

The final step is to return the cats to their outdoor homes after they have recovered from the procedure. This should be done within 24 hours of the surgery, provided the cats are clear-eyed and alert. Return them to the same location where they were trapped, as they will adjust best to familiar turf.

TNR is supported by credible animal protection organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It is considered the only humane and effective approach to controlling community cat populations, as it ends the breeding cycle and improves the quality of life for these cats.

Surrendering to a shelter

Surrendering your cat to a shelter is a difficult but sometimes necessary decision. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about surrendering your cat to a shelter:

Finding a Shelter

You can surrender your cat by bringing it to an open admissions shelter or rescue organisation. Shelters can be stressful environments for cats, especially if they are already used to living in a comfortable home. The shelter may also have limited space, which can cause additional stress for your cat. If possible, it is recommended to rehome your cat yourself. This way, your cat will experience less stress and will likely adjust more easily to their new home.

Rehoming Your Cat Yourself

Start by asking your friends and family if they would be interested in adopting your cat. If that doesn't work, you can try creating a profile for your cat on websites such as Rehome, which allow you to post your pet for millions of adopters to see. By rehoming your cat yourself, you can choose the right family based on your cat's needs, meet potential adopters, and ensure they are a good fit.

Alternatives to Shelters

If you are hesitant to surrender your cat to a shelter, there are other alternatives to consider. You can try posting on local apps or social media platforms, such as Facebook, to find someone in your area who may be a good fit for your cat. It is important to be cautious when using these platforms, as there have been cases of people obtaining animals and subjecting them to abuse. Another option is to look into foster-based rescues in your area, as people do adopt older cats.

Working with the Shelter

If you decide to surrender your cat to a shelter, it is important to do your research and choose a reputable shelter. Call different shelters in your area to inquire about their adoption rates, what they do when they run out of space, and their experience with adopting out senior and special needs cats. Shelters have different policies and resources, so it is worth asking questions to ensure your cat ends up in a good home.

Calling animal control

Animal control agencies are typically government-run departments that address issues related to domestic animals like cats and dogs. They are law enforcement and can be contacted by calling your local animal control agency or dialling 9-1-1 if you are unfamiliar with local organisations. Animal control officers may be employees of the city or work as contractors; some are licensed to carry firearms, while others are not.

If you are concerned about a neighbour's cats, you can choose to file an anonymous report, meaning your contact details will not be shared with the animal rescue organisation. However, it is important to note that animal control will only get involved if the cats are not being properly cared for. While it is worth reporting if the cats seem neglected, you should not report based on the number of cats alone.

Once a report is made, an investigator will be dispatched to assess the situation and determine if there is any animal cruelty or neglect occurring. Animal cruelty includes hoarding, lack of shelter or veterinary care, tethering, and abandonment, as well as other forms of abuse. If offences are found, the inspector may issue a fine or seize the animals if they are in immediate danger.

If you are worried about animal control taking your pets, you have the right to not let them into your home without a warrant or your permission. Anything they can see in "plain sight" can be probable cause for a warrant, so it is important to step outside and speak with them if possible. If they have a warrant, ask to see it and read it carefully to understand what they are permitted to search. Do not let them search beyond what the warrant allows. You also have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer their questions.

Frequently asked questions