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Site open - NCC Weather line

Site open - NCC Weather line

The National Cat Centre is now open as normal to staff and visitors. *Updated 10 February 2012.

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Charity Greetings cards – Valentine offer

Charity Greetings cards – Valentine offer

**Offer now extended until 14 ...

Felbridge Hotel and Spa declare Cats Protection its Charity of the Year

Felbridge Hotel and Spa declare Cats Protection its Charity of the Year

We are pleased to announce that the Felbridge...

Homer's Olympic Odyssey

Homer's Olympic Odyssey

A Cats Protection mascot has a chance of ...

Cats Protection to host conference on cats and dogs

Cats Protection to host conference on cats and dogs

Cats Protection is to host the 2012 ...

Purring the blues away

Purring the blues away

According to Cats Protection, purr therapy is...

Podgy puss Smokey needs a new home

Podgy puss Smokey needs a new home

Cats Protection is appealing for a new home ...

Gosport kittens land on their super-sized paws!

Gosport kittens land on their super-sized paws!

They may appear to be all fingers and thumbs ...

Leave a gift to Cats Protection and benefit from a tax break

Leave a gift to Cats Protection and benefit from a tax break

Cats Protection is asking cat lovers to ...

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You are here: Home > Cat care > FAQs > CP and rehoming

CP and rehoming

  • I can no longer care for my cat, what should I do?Cat in a basket
  • There's a stray in my garden, what should I do?

    Did you know that... ?
    If you suspect that someone is being cruel to an animal you should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or visit its 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 phoning our Helpline on 03000 12 12 12 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 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.

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    There's a stray in my garden, what should I do?
    Given the nature of strays, we would advise that you ask your neigbours 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 winter, we will 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 will 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.

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