The Decision to Give Up a Cat for Adoption: Advice for Struggling Owners

1. Introduction

Caring for a cat is a long-term commitment, but sometimes life can get in the way. There might come a time in any cat owner's life when they might feel overwhelmed. Many owners struggle with how to care for their companions physically, mentally, and emotionally. Stressful situations such as becoming disabled, a major illness, losing a job, and other big life changes can complicate things. Even if the owner wants to keep the cat, it may be hard to be its caretaker.

A well-thought-out decision must be made: is there a way to improve life with this cat? Is it better for the cat and the owner to bring the cat to a shelter? This guide provides advice for the transitioning period before giving the cat up for adoption and for those considering giving their cat away. Because every situation is unique, the guide does not claim to have all the answers for every person or cat. However, it does have suggestions for different problems cat owners might face, ranging from health issues to financial difficulties and personal problems. It discusses how to find the right shelter, where to find resources, and typical next steps after transferring ownership.

1.1. Purpose of the Guide

Learning about something can lead to a better understanding of the subject overall. There are a lot of things about the decision to give up a cat for adoption that the owner may not understand or even consider. It is a hard choice. Owners should consider other less drastic options before deciding to give up a cat for adoption. If this is the final choice, then it is important for the owner to do it correctly to lessen the chance of harm to the cat.

To begin with, exactly what will happen to the cat after the owner gives it up? Under proper care, cats can live long, healthy lives. They are often given homes until they are elderly. The owner will be looking to give it up because it is unable to take care of it anymore. Some of the common changes that may find an owner looking to give up a cat are a business trip, moving, or arrival of a new baby. Some of these things may demand a lot of time, so it may be difficult to take care of the cat as well. A new place may not allow cats, or just be too dangerous, cramped, or busy. A new baby may be overwhelming enough that there isn't energy to give the cat attention and care.

Unfortunately, this can lead to the cat being taken to a lonely, crowded, loud place, filled with diseases. It may be kept in a box to wander around a shelter where it is kept, wondering when someone will pick it. Chances of this happening increase if the owner just takes it to the shelter with no further action. The vast majority of cats that find themselves in this situation are quickly euthanized simply due to being there. Things may be a little better if the owner tries to find it a home. Friends, family, and coworkers are more likely to take care of the cat than total strangers, but a cat coming from someone known is far less likely to be rejected than one from an anonymous shelter. It is recommended to try looking for a home before a shelter, and only using the shelter if that fails.

For the owners convinced that giving up the cat is the best choice possible for the current situation, it is important that they do it correctly. Cats don't understand quite what is going on. They may be suddenly isolated from everything they know, or taken to a place to never be seen again. The owner's best chance of creating a good future for the cat may then be to take it to a shelter where it can be treated properly. This must be done right though. The owners should talk to someone ahead of time, as shelters often have a waiting list. If everything goes well, maybe the cat will be waiting for someone to take it home instead of wandering alone at the shelter.

2. Understanding the Decision

When faced with overwhelming circumstances such as financial hardship, health problems, or a change in family composition, it can be difficult to determine whether to keep or give up a beloved pet cat. Understanding the decision-making process involved in giving up a cat for adoption may help struggling owners. The following questions may help clarify the various aspects related to this decision.

Is it possible to re-home the cat? If the cat is well-loved and presented reasonably healthy, he/she may be able to find another home where they will be loved (Zito et al., 2018). The intention should be to find a suitable alternative home. A good first step is to ask family and friends if they want the cat or know someone who does. If this isn't fruitful, check with local shelters, humane societies, and other animal agencies about the possibility of taking the cat in. Many organizations will take the cat, screen potential adopters, and help place him/her in a good home. If none of these options work, it may be necessary to place an advertisement in a newspaper that explains the cat's background and needs.

Are there circumstances that could lead to a better outcome for the cat? Sometimes a temporary separation may help alleviate the problem. Investigating alternatives such as renting a pet-friendly place, seeing if a family member or friend can take care of the cat, or securing financial assistance, may improve the situation. It may also help to speak to an outside person such as a family member, friend, or a pet bereavement counselor for support in sorting through the options.

2.1. Factors to Consider

To take into consideration factors that should influence the decision to give up a cat for adoption. Giving up a pet is often not as simple as removing the litter box and empty food dishes.

Moving: This is the most common reason people give pets up for adoption. Moving to a place that would not allow pets, or needing to get a new apartment because of expenses are two common circumstances. Many landlords do allow cats, so it is often best to do this type of research before giving up a pet. Some websites that could be helpful in finding these types of rentals are (Alberthsen et al., 2016) and (A Carroll et al., 2023).

Financial Problems: Another common question potential cat owners ask is “What if I cannot afford my pet?” Living in hard economic times has already forced many families to make sacrifices. Unfortunately, food, vet bills, and other expenses related to cat care must be added to the “must cut” list. While most people would agree that giving up a pet for a new television set is selfish, giving up a pet to feed one’s children is often seen as an agonizing but necessary decision (Alberthsen et al., 2016). Before doing this, every other option should be explored; these could include spending less money on fast food meals, public transportation instead of gas money, or even going to fund-raising dinners at McDonald’s.

Change in Lifestyle: People’s lives often change in ways they could never expect, and sometimes they have to make the horrible choice of giving up a pet (A Carroll et al., 2023). Personal circumstances sometimes make it impossible to keep a cat or to give it the care it needs and deserves. Examples of stressful lifestyle changes include divorce, a sudden extended work schedule, a new baby, or a death in the family. Before coming to this decision, all alternatives to rehoming should be looked at, such as asking friends or family for assistance or finding lower work hours.

2.2. Emotional Impact

Deciding to give up a cat for adoption is a painful but sometimes necessary choice that can provoke complicated and often conflicted emotions. Surrendering a cat can be surrounded by guilt, grief, feelings of betrayal, anger, or resentment. These feelings may vary with circumstances but are often experienced in combination (Zito et al., 2018). Of these, guilt is an emotionally powerful form of regret that can lead to feelings of shame and self-blame (A Carroll et al., 2023). Grief is a sense of loss and sadness related to the decision to give up a cat, especially if declining circumstances are anticipated, or worry about whether the cat will be adopted is felt.

Worse, grief is associated with regret over the decision—to wonder whether something other than relinquishment could have been done to avert this situation. In the aftermath of a decision to relinquish, worry about an uncertain future for the cat and feeling angry at circumstances that brought about relinquishment or feeling hopelessness and regret regarding the original decision to adopt a cat can also be considered forms of grief. Post-surrender, there may be worry over how the cat will adapt to new circumstances and a sense of loss associated with separation.

3. Exploring Alternatives

It can be challenging to think that you may need to give up your feline friend; however, there are plenty of options before you take that drastic step. Before doing anything else, try to thoroughly examine why you feel the need to give up your cat. Here are some common reasons, as well as alternatives to consider:

• Litter box issues: If your cat is peeing or pooping outside of the litter box, it is essential to confirm that they do not have a medical condition first. Take them to the vet to rule out any possibilities. If there are no medical issues, there are many books, internet resources, and even thriving businesses that may be able to help with the issue. If that's not sufficient, cat behaviorists are professionals who know cat behavior well. Seek one out in your area, if possible. Some companies, like PetSmart, also have feline behaviorists on staff.

• Allergies: If someone in the household is allergic to the cat, it can be very frustrating and unpleasant for the individual suffering, as well as upsetting for the cat and all the other family members. Before giving up the cat, consider doing a few things to alleviate the symptoms of the allergy. Bathe the cat weekly or bi-weekly to neutralize the dander. Keep the cat out of certain rooms. Get air purifiers for the rooms where the cat frequents, and for rooms where the allergic person spends the most time, such as the bedroom. If the allergic person takes medications, ensure they are taking them regularly. If you still would like to give the cat up after trying these options, ask your physician if there may be other options.

• Financial struggles: Cats are generally low-maintenance pets, but there are times that finances become precarious and making it tough to take care of a pet. If this is the case, consider having them spayed/neutered if they are not already. Unspayed females can go into heat three-six times a year, and if they get out, they can become pregnant which will lead to costly vet bills. Have all necessary vaccinations, as they will protect against many common illnesses that often require vet treatment. If possible, set aside a small amount of money each month to put into savings for a cat emergency fund. This can prevent having to make the decision to give up your cat if Emergency #7 occurs the same month that the car needs repairs!

• Changing housing situations: If moving into a pet-free zone, first consider looking for somewhere that is pet friendly instead. If that's not an option, if the rent is affordable, and the landlord is okay with it, consider having someone look after the cat temporarily during the search for a new place. After the move, if someone is interested in the cat, make sure that they are aware of the pet’s personality and known medical conditions.

There are many different resources out there for struggling pet owners. Websites, like petfinder.com and the Humane Society’s Petowner Resource Center, have plenty of information and advice on specific issues. If you would like to learn more about a certain personality, breed, or specific topic, there are lots of books available on nearly every subject. Call the Humane Society or local animal shelter in your area to find support services or resources that can help with finding assistance for you and your pet.

3.1. Resources for Support

Reading this section may make the decision to give up a cat for adoption easier. Owners should be reassured that they are not alone; many others have experienced similar dilemmas. There are professionals with experience in dealing with this hardship. Furthermore, cat owners should realize that giving the cat up for adoption does not mean that they do not love their cat. They must first take care of themselves to be in a position to provide their cat with a loving home. Addressing the difficulties of their situation does not mean giving them up for cat adoption. Referrals to support groups should also be offered if the situation arises, preferably those that involve the experience of giving up a hatchling pet / giving up a cat for.

Before giving a pet up for adoption, it may cease to spend time with them. Therefore, owners should try to remove things that may be stressing the cat. Once the decision to give up a cat for adoption is made, where to adopt it out must be decided. It is strongly discouraged to give a cat to a friend unless they have been considering getting a cat long before the discussion of giving up a cat for adoption happened. Also, never take a cat to a shelter that may not have the capacity to care for the cat until it is adopted out. The best place to give a cat up for adoption is a shelter that has a no-kill policy and staffs that can assess the cat.

4. Preparing for the Transition

Once the decision has been made to give up a cat to a new home, the process of finding that home and preparing a cat for such a transition should be undertaken carefully. Once an owner is committed to rehoming his or her cat, one of the first steps that cat owner should take would be to reach out to family and friends to see if any of them would like to adopt the cat. If family and friends indicate that they are unable to adopt the cat, an owner should make plans to seek out a suitable new home for his or her cat. When considering potential adopters, the following qualifications should be kept in mind:

- Time Commitment: The potential adopter should be aware that cats are long-term commitments (15-20 years).

- Animal Experience: The potential adopter should be acquainted with and have prior experience with cats.

- Pet Policy: The potential adopter should reside in an establishment that permits cats and should not have any objections to living with the cat.

- Allergies: The potential adopter should not have any pet allergies.

- Lifestyle and Activity Level: The potential adopters' schedule should be compatible with the needs of the cat. For example, cats that are high-energy would not do well with an owner who works long hours.

- Home Environment: The potential adopter's home should be cat-proofed and safe for the cat. For example, if the cat is used to living indoors, the potential adopter's home should be indoors only.

Examination of Potential Homes: If someone is interested in adopting the cat, he or she should be encouraged to come to meet the cat to see if it is a good match. While there, potential adopters should be observed interacting with the cat to see if they are a good fit. Alternatively, if possible, the cat could be brought to the potential adopter's environment to ensure compatibility. It would also be a good idea to ask the potential adopters questions about their past and present animal care and to explain what type of care would be needed for the cat.

If someone seems like a qualified candidate interested in adopting the cat, decision points that an owner may consider before officially rehoming his or her cat include: What will happen to the cat's belongings? Will any items (litter box, bed, toys, cat tree, etc.) be allowed to go with the cat to its new home? What advice can be offered to the new owners? Providing care instructions and any background information on the cat will help the new owners transition. If the adjustments for the owner and cat are expected to be particularly challenging, some owners may contemplate allowing a trial adoption period to see how it goes.

If all potential adoptions do not seem like a good fit for the cat, options that an owner should consider include contacting a local no-kill shelter or rescue organization for help.

4.1. Finding a Suitable Home

The most critical aspect of giving away a cat for adoption is finding a suitable new home. Accordingly, it is helpful to ensure that the pet will be put into caring hands. Owners who have trusted family, friends, or colleagues might see them as good options. In this case, owners need to involve these people in discussions about the pet and its needs and preferences. These new caretakers might be willing to take on the required financial and time expenses, but they need to comprehend the level of commitment that lifetime pet ownership entails. Before handing the cat over, owners should give the new caretakers an opportunity to connect with that pet to gauge whether the relationship works in both directions. Furthermore, when cats are taken away from their homes, they often feel abandoned and lonely. This feeling can be mitigated by giving the animal a gradual introduction to the new house. In such cases, it can be beneficial to keep the cat within the apartments of the new owners for a while, allowing them to explore the house, while keeping it away from the view of the original owners will reduce the risk of returning to the previous home (C. Calver et al., 2022) (Zito et al., 2018). If there is no suitable option among close acquaintances, owners can seek online forums and social media groups that specialize in pet adoption. There are also dedicated platforms in many countries. In any case, they should provide detailed information about the cat: age, gender, breed, character, reason for giving it away, and what sort of new home is deemed suitable. This is helpful to prospective owners and limits unwanted inquiries. For example, some cats are not well-suited for homes with small children or dogs. Despite not admitting a cat, shelters can be supportive in such cases by providing guidance on finding a suitable new owner.

5. Conclusion

Despite the difficulties of maintaining the perfect companionship, cat owners must weigh considerations and implications specific to themselves and their cats before giving up their pet for adoption. Some suggestions include but are not limited to: asking advice from other cat owners who may have successfully resolved similar issues, contacting animal behaviorists for expert advice, attempting to replicate the environment of adoption for the cat, seeking feline companionship, and asking for help from family members, peers, or coworkers. Pre-considerations of the adoption process should include: determining if giving up a cat is the only choice, reflecting if there is any resolution for the current situation, assessing the impact upon the cat, considering how to play an ongoing role in the cat's life, and examining the purest intentions of the adoption process (A Carroll et al., 2023).

There are thoroughly established procedures and regulations for the cat adoption process in reputable organizations. In the case of rehoming a cat, shelters require that the surrenderer be the owner or have consent from the owner, be at least 18 years old, have identification, allow a staff member to ask questions about the cat, disclose any information about the cat that could affect its future care, and accept that it is a one-way transfer of ownership with no guarantees. Identifying what to look for in a suitable new home for the cat is also essential. Common considerations include whether to prioritize a home with past experience of cat ownership, the need for continued access to outside space, or the new owner’s lifestyle (e.g. busyness, children, and pets).

5.1. Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why pet owners contemplate giving their cat up for adoption. Perhaps they have experienced a significant life change in which finding a suitable home for their cat could provide the best opportunity for happiness. Life changes may include moving in with a partner, relocation, personal health issues, having children, starting a new job, getting a divorce, or any number of events that affect your ability to care for your cat. Or, perhaps an unnoticed behavioral issue progressed to the point where you no longer feel capable of managing it, even though you would otherwise like to keep your cat. It is important to bear in mind that many pet owners, despite their love for their pets, find themselves in similar situations and feel just about as conflicted as you probably do. While perhaps not the outcome you envisioned when first bringing the cat into your life, re-homing can sometimes be the kindest decision.

Ultimately, only you can determine what is best for you and your cat. Should you choose to give your cat up for adoption, the hope is that the information presented here will assist in the process. It is intended to provide a framework for understanding what this choice might mean for you and your cat, along with practical guidance for making the transition. Given the multitude of unique experiences associated with pet ownership, what follows is by no means a comprehensive guide, but rather perspective based on one person navigating these waters in hopes of helping others do the same (A Carroll et al., 2023).

References:

Zito, S., Paterson, M., Morton, J., Vankan, D., Bennett, P., Rand, J., & J. C. Phillips, C., 2018. Surrenderers’ Relationships with Cats Admitted to Four Australian Animal Shelters. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alberthsen, C., Rand, J., Morton, J., Bennett, P., Paterson, M., & Vankan, D., 2016. Numbers and Characteristics of Cats Admitted to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Shelters in Australia and Reasons for Surrender. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Carroll, G., Torjussen, A., & Reeve, C., 2023. Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Households with children at greatest risk of relinquishing a cat or dog. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

C. Calver, M., M. Crawford, H., R. Scarff, F., Stuart Bradley, J., Dormon, P., Boston, S., & A. Fleming, P., 2022. Intensive Adoption as a Management Strategy for Unowned, Urban Cats: A Case Study of 25 Years of Trap–Assess–Resolve (TAR) in Auckland, New Zealand. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov