Adopt a cat

Please note that we do not have a main shelter or central venue for people to view our cats.   All of our cats are placed in foster homes until we can find them a suitable adopter.

We've been using a hands-free (minimal contact) homing approach during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Now that Government restrictions have been lifted, we're taking a hybrid approach, which means there will be a mix of face-to-face and virtual contact, determined by both adopter and volunteer's circumstances and preferences.  We can't guarantee that you will be able to meet your chosen cat 'in person' but we'll still be ensuring that all our cats are matched with homes that provide the environment and lifestyle they require.  You'll find descriptions and photos below to help you decide which one might be for you.

Please only apply to us if you are in, or very close to, the London Borough of Croydon.  We cover a large area and it is not fair on the cats, or our volunteers, to expect them to do long journeys. 

• Enquire. If you like the look of one of our cats, please send us an enquiry via the contact form on the cat's profile or email us at homing@croydon.cats.org.uk  Please include:  your address, number of residents of your home (and ages, if children) and whether you already have pets.  Please note that if you are in rented accommodation, we will need to see the written permission from your landlord for you to have cats, before we are able to process your application.  If we think you might be a match, we will contact you to take some more details, and will then arrange for a homing visit.  These may still be done via video WhatsApp, but might be carried out in person.  During this, you will be asked to show us the 'safe room' which the cat may need for at least the first 24 hours, sometimes longer, as it can be overwhelming to be introduced to the whole property on Day 1.  We recommend a spare bedroom, conservatory or dining room, as these are usually less busy.  We will also ask to see your catflap (or where one will be put) and your garden.  We can also talk through important information about settling in, and answer your questions.  Once, this has been completed, you will be able to discuss suitable cats with our homing co-ordinator.  You will be invited to speak to the fosterer about the cat and hear about its behaviour, and food/litter preferences.  All being well, we will reserve the cat for you and proceed to adoption.

• Reserve your cat.  You will be sent paperwork online for you to print off, sign and send back to us.  Our adoption fees are £85 per cat and £105 per kitten, but if you are able to make an extra contribution towards the cost of the carrier, if provided by us, we would be grateful.  Payment can also be made online, via bank transfer.  Once these have been successfully returned to us, we will be able to arrange for adoption.

• Adopt. Once you have reserved your cat, you will be contacted by the fosterer to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to collect your cat/s to deliver the cat to you.  

• Be supported. You’ll receive a follow-up call or email after the adoption to check that your new arrival is settled in. You can also find help and advice on the Cats Protection website at www.cats.org.uk/advice or can contact us.

For up-to-the-minute news of which cats urgently require homes, check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds.

We ask that any prospective owner pays a £85 adoption fee per cat and £105 per kitten - these fees include being microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, de-fleaed and neutered (if too young to be neutered we will provide a voucher so the cat can be neutered at our cost at the appropriate time).  Cats Protection is one of the few charities that include all this in the adoption fee.   Your cat will also come with four weeks' free Petplan insurance.  If you feel able to make a donation on top of this, this would of course be gratefully received – every little helps.

If you'd like to express interest in homing a cat, please email  Homing@croydon.cats.org.uk