SURRENDERING
Remember, ANIMALS ARE NOT TOYS OR GIFTS. They are a decade(s)-long commitment that require daily care, affection, and financial responsibility.
Surrendering your cat should be a last resort - please carefully consider the following solutions before surrendering an animal. Other general care guidelines can be found on our Education page.
Surrendering
your pet should be the
last resort...
"Caring for a cat is too expensive."
"My cat is exhibiting problem behaviors."
-
Visit the vet - problem behaviors can often be signs of underlying health issues.
-
Consult our Education Page
"I do not have enough space for a cat."
-
Create enrichment with vertical space using cat trees or cat-safe shelves
-
Have a bird feeder outside that your indoor cat can watch
-
Try a cat exercise wheel
"I do not have enough time to care for a cat."
-
Your cat would much rather spend their life with you, their family, even if you feel you are not around as much as you feel you should be.
-
Utilize friends/family or pet sitting services
-
Though we generally do not recommend automatic feeders or litter boxes as a stand-in for traditional options, if these are necessary for you to keep your cat, here are a few recommendations (when you are able, please feed your cat yourself):
"My cat is elderly, and I no longer want to care for them."
-
Caring for your elderly cat is YOUR responsibility.
-
Your cat would much rather be with their family - the people they are familiar with for the end of their life.
-
Loving Care for Older Cats | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
"My cat has developed health issues that I do not want to deal with."
-
Vet care is a necessary part of cat ownership, just as pediatric care is an essential part of having a child. It is your responsibility to care for your sick cat, not a rescue or shelter.
-
Meowtel allows you to filter cat sitters based on medical needs
-
We understand caring for a cat with medical issues requires dedication - it can be a learning curve. However, along with your vet’s direction, there are countless YouTube videos, blogs, and online support groups that can help guide you for your cat’s specific diagnosis.
If you still want to submit a surrender request, and your surrender request is accepted, please understand that:
-
You will lose all rights to the surrendered cat
-
You will not be entitled to visit, receive updates, or have any decision-making power regarding the surrendered cat
-
You will be required to sign a surrender agreement that severs all ties between you and the surrendered cat. Once this is signed, the surrendered cat is no longer “your cat.”
-
Surrendering a cat is NOT a donation - accepting a surrendered companion cat does not benefit our organization. A surrendered cat will require vetting, time, effort, and rescue resources just like a homeless cat.