Adoption process

How to adopt a cat

Learn how to adopt a rescue cat from the RSPCA. Discover how we match people with the right cat or kitten and what you should consider before you rehome a cat. We’ll support and guide you at every stage.

A brown tabby cat with bright eyes.

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Cat adoption process

Find a rescue cat or kitten

Start by using our Find a Pet search  to find a rescue cat or kitten near you. You can filter cats by location as well as age, temperament and whether they can live with children or other pets.

Some people hope to adopt a kitten, while others prefer to rehome a cat who may be calmer or more independent. Taking time to read each pet profile carefully helps you understand how to adopt a cat that’s a good match for your home and lifestyle.

Apply to adopt a cat near you

Once you've found a cat you're interested in, you can apply to adopt a cat or rehome a kitten from the RSPCA. Our teams review each application carefully to make sure you can meet the cat's needs, and you should hear back within 48 hours. If the cat you applied for isn't suitable for your home, we’ll help you find another cat who may be a better fit. Some cats are ready to be rehomed immediately, so make sure you’re ready too.

Meet and get to know each other

If your application is suitable, our team will invite you to meet your selected cat at the animal centre. This visit gives you the chance to spend time getting to know them and ask questions about their personality, behaviour and care needs. Some cats may need more than one visit before adoption is finalised.

Getting to know one another helps everyone feel confident before any final decision is made.

Prepare your home

The centre may arrange a home visit or discussion to help you prepare for your new cat.

Our teams can advise on creating a safe environment, choosing food and enrichment, and helping your cat settle in comfortably when they arrive.

This is especially important if you plan to rehome a kitten, as young cats can need extra patience, supervision and time to settle into a new environment.

Complete the adoption

Once everything is agreed, we’ll guide you through the final paperwork and adoption fee. Your cat will be microchipped, vaccinated and neutered where possible (or provided with a neutering voucher if they’re too young), and treated for fleas and worms. You’ll receive their veterinary history, settling-in advice and ongoing support if you need it.

Find a pet

Meet our rescue cats

Before you apply

What we need from you

Before applying to rehome a cat, it’s important to think about whether your home and lifestyle are a good fit. Our teams review each application carefully to make sure the cat’s needs can be met. Cats can live 15 years or more and need ongoing care, attention and veterinary support, so adoption is a long-term commitment.

Before you apply to rehome a cat, we ask that you:

  • Are aged 18 or over
    Have permission from your landlord if you rent
    Can provide a safe and suitable home environment
    Can meet the cat’s needs for companionship, care and enrichment
    Can cover ongoing veterinary care and wellbeing
    Understand the long-term commitment of cat ownership

If the cat you apply for isn’t the right match, we’ll help you explore others who may suit your home better.

A grey British shorthair cat being pet behind the ear by their owner.

Cat adoption fees

If you’re wondering how much it is to adopt a cat from the RSPCA, adoption fees vary by centre and by the age of the cat. The fee helps cover the cost of preparing each cat for rehoming, although the care they receive from us often costs much more.

Adoption fees also help support our rescue work, allowing us to continue caring for cats in need and helping more animals find safe, loving homes.

Your fee contributes towards:

Microchipping

Vaccinations

Neutering where possible (or a neutering voucher if the kitten is too young)

Flea and worm treatment

Veterinary checks and any care needed before rehoming

Understanding the cost of owning a cat

Owning a cat involves ongoing costs such as food, insurance and veterinary care. Our pet cost calculator can help you understand what to budget for before adopting a cat.

Further resources

An orange and brown tabby cat with a pink collar sitting on a leather sofa.

Cat insurance

Explore RSPCA pet insurance options to protect your new cat.
An RSPCA staff member looking at and petting a golden spaniel dog, who is looking up at them.

Find a pet

Search for a rescue animal or learn how adoption and fostering works.
A brown and orange tortoiseshell cat laying down on an outdoor chair.

Cat care advice

Learn more about cat behaviour, feeding and creating a safe home environment.

Frequently asked questions

  • Some cats prefer to live alone, while others may already be bonded with another cat and should be adopted together. Our teams will help you find the right match.

  • Possibly. Our centres will consider the needs and temperament of all animals in the household when assessing applications.

  • Some cats are suitable for indoor-only homes. The centre will advise whether a particular cat’s needs can be met in your environment.

  • Every cat is different. Some settle quickly while others may take several weeks to feel comfortable in their new surroundings.

  • Some feral or semi-feral cats may be rehomed to suitable outdoor environments where they can live safely.