Adopt A Cat
Please read our guide to cat ownership. It is important to understand what caring for a cat involves.
You can browse through our Adult and Older cats and Kittens.
Ring 01525 875993 or 07985662712 to visit our Adult Cats at the shelter, or for Kittens ring the number under the kitten's picture.
Once you've found the perfect cat or kitten there will be a simple home check. You're then all ready to go and collect your cat! We ask for a donation of £100 for unvaccinated adults and £135 if vaccinated. This donation helps to pay for micro-chipping, neutering and flea and worm treatment. Kittens are £135 and are rehomed with vouchers to cover their second vaccination and neutering if that has not been done in foster! Donations are payable by cash or cheque. You'll be asked when you donate about filling in a Gift Aid form, details about this can be found on our Gift Aid page.
Directions
Our shelter is off the A5120 near Toddington, Bedfordshire, UK. The shelter is a 10-minute drive from junction 12 off the M1. Bev will give you exact directions when you call to arrange a visit.
Opening times
We do not have set opening times as we are run entirely by volunteers. Ring Bev at the shelter to arrange a visit to see our lovely cats! If you don't get through, please be patient and keep trying, Bev may be busy caring for our cats!
You can browse through our Adult and Older cats and Kittens.
Ring 01525 875993 or 07985662712 to visit our Adult Cats at the shelter, or for Kittens ring the number under the kitten's picture.
Once you've found the perfect cat or kitten there will be a simple home check. You're then all ready to go and collect your cat! We ask for a donation of £100 for unvaccinated adults and £135 if vaccinated. This donation helps to pay for micro-chipping, neutering and flea and worm treatment. Kittens are £135 and are rehomed with vouchers to cover their second vaccination and neutering if that has not been done in foster! Donations are payable by cash or cheque. You'll be asked when you donate about filling in a Gift Aid form, details about this can be found on our Gift Aid page.
Directions
Our shelter is off the A5120 near Toddington, Bedfordshire, UK. The shelter is a 10-minute drive from junction 12 off the M1. Bev will give you exact directions when you call to arrange a visit.
Opening times
We do not have set opening times as we are run entirely by volunteers. Ring Bev at the shelter to arrange a visit to see our lovely cats! If you don't get through, please be patient and keep trying, Bev may be busy caring for our cats!
Bringing your cat home
The most important thing is not to let your cat outdoors for at least a month, this includes cats you already own as they may run away before they are used to the new cat. Do not let unneutered cats or kittens outdoors at all, not even in a garden you consider safe. Make sure they are vaccinated and microchipped before letting them explore the garden gradually.
After adopting a cat, especially for first time owners, it is important to remember that cats are not animals that like change. It may take a cat a while to settle in and feel comfortable in a new home.
A simple way is to put the new cat in one room with its litter tray, food and water and leave it to settle overnight.
Over a few days, go in and let it get used to you, stroke it and let it get to know every member of the family.
Introducing your new cat
Your other cats will smell and hear the new cat. Feed the new and current cats either side of a door at set mealtimes so they associate food with each other. After a day or so, open the door slightly (or use a baby gate) so the current cats can see the new one.
When there is no longer hissing, which may take days, let the new cat out to explore in its own time. Have supervised playtime with your new and current cats in the same room.
Put the new cat back in its room at night. Once the new cat and current cats are ok with each other let the new cat roam the house 24/7.
See the following video for more helpful advice on introducing your new cat:
The most important thing is not to let your cat outdoors for at least a month, this includes cats you already own as they may run away before they are used to the new cat. Do not let unneutered cats or kittens outdoors at all, not even in a garden you consider safe. Make sure they are vaccinated and microchipped before letting them explore the garden gradually.
After adopting a cat, especially for first time owners, it is important to remember that cats are not animals that like change. It may take a cat a while to settle in and feel comfortable in a new home.
A simple way is to put the new cat in one room with its litter tray, food and water and leave it to settle overnight.
Over a few days, go in and let it get used to you, stroke it and let it get to know every member of the family.
Introducing your new cat
Your other cats will smell and hear the new cat. Feed the new and current cats either side of a door at set mealtimes so they associate food with each other. After a day or so, open the door slightly (or use a baby gate) so the current cats can see the new one.
When there is no longer hissing, which may take days, let the new cat out to explore in its own time. Have supervised playtime with your new and current cats in the same room.
Put the new cat back in its room at night. Once the new cat and current cats are ok with each other let the new cat roam the house 24/7.
See the following video for more helpful advice on introducing your new cat:
It is important to remember that you are not alone, and you can always contact Stray Cat Rescue for help or advice, as well as contact your local vets.