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Cat's Nose

REHOMING A CAT

You may be considering the surrender of your cat to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. We understand this is a very difficult time for you and we ask that you take some time to read over these materials and resources to consider all of your options.

 

Surrendering your cat is a serious decision and should only be made after exploring other alternatives and a complete understanding of the process and potential outcomes.​

Ask yourself (honestly): Why are you surrendering this cat?

My landlord/homeowner will not allow the cat

It is possible, with planning and perhaps a few compromises, to find pet-friendly housing almost anywhere.

  • Visit www.rentwithpets.org, which is a great resource that thoroughly outlines how to find a pet-friendly home.

My cat has behavioral problems OR my cat will not use the litter box

  1. Have your cat examined by a veterinarian. Behavioral problems are sometimes linked to a treatable medical condition. For example, a cat that has begun urinating outside the litter box may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) that can be treated.

  2. Contact a feline behavior specialist to discuss your cat’s behavior problems and solutions to the situation. For example, many cats reported to have litter box problems are actually reacting to a box that is simply too dirty or is not set up to their liking. You can try searching online for behaviorists or searching for Jackson Galaxy online is a great resource.

  3. You can contact Cats International, a non-profit organization for cat behavioral advice, at (262) 375-8852 or visit their website at www.catsinternational.org for articles on how to solve feline behavior issues.

  4. If you have tried everything to address behavioral problems or non-use of the litter box with your cat, please be aware that if your cat is surrendered to DRHS, a possible outcome will be to humanely euthanize the cat. Because we do not want your pet to be in the hands of strangers when this happens, we always recommend that you take your animal to your regular veterinarian so that you can be with your feline companion during that event.

Me, or someone in my family, is allergic to the cat

Usually, allergies are caused by pet dander, not the actual fur. You can reduce pet dander by trying any of the following things:

  • Create an “allergy-free” zone in the home, like the bedroom, where the cat is not allowed.

  • Use high-efficiency HEPA air cleaners throughout your home to clean the air of allergen particles.

  • Try to remove or reduce the number of dust and allergen-catching items in your home, such as carpeting, rugs, cloth curtains and blinds, etc.

  • Clean your home frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander. Wash cloth items that collect dander.

  • Bathe your cat on a weekly basis (with patience and positive reinforcement they can get accustomed to this). Discuss bathing with your veterinarian to best determine which shampoos, if any, to use.

  • Ask your doctor to test you for allergies to determine exactly what you are allergic to, because many people are allergic to more than just cats. Reducing the amount of the other allergens in your home will help to reduce your overall allergic reaction.

  • Speak with your doctor about which one of many “anti-allergy” drugs might be right for you. Often, it only takes one pill a day to significantly reduce your allergic reaction, making it possible for you to keep your cat.

  • There is a food for cats made by Purina that helps reduce the allergens a cat produces. It’s called Purine LiveClear and as cats groom themselves, there’s a common allergen in their saliva that gets on their fur, and when they eat LiveClear that allergen is neutralized simply and safely.

I cannot afford to own my cat anymore. 

In todays economy, this has become a common reason that people need to give up their pets. However, animals really do not need to be an “added expense” if you can learn to balance their expenses. Not all of your cat’s necessities need to be purchased at the same time, and sometimes not even in the same month. Here is a list of what a cat really needs and some resources for those items:

  • Collar - $1 at the local dollar store

  • Rabies vaccination - $20-$30 depending on your veterinarian

  • Food - $5-$30 per month depending on the brand, but we also have a pet food pantry at DRHS to help those in need!

  • Litter - $4-$15 per month depending on the brand, but we also have litter in our pet food pantry

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If you are still having trouble affording the things that your cat needs, and this is the only reason why you have chosen to surrender your cat, consider asking for help from friends or family members.

  1. Here is a link to some helpful resources for affording your animal that focuses on medical care and food: https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/having-trouble-affording-your-pet

Steps to take if you must surrender your cat

There are a number of steps that you should actively explore before making the final decision to schedule a rehoming for your cat to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society.

 

The first step is to try to find a new home for the cat on your own:

  • Talk to friends, family members, neighbors, local veterinarians, and others you trust to try and find someone willing to take your cat. As a last resort, advertise online or in the newspaper.

  • Never abandon your cat in a rural area or on a farm. Just because some cats live as farm pets, does not mean that your cat will be able to survive outside. Your cat is not able to care for itself on its own; it is your responsibility to provide for the cat.

  • Screen potential new homes carefully. Do not be afraid to deny someone if you just do not “feel right” about them. Trust your instincts. You can ask for veterinarian and personal references and ask to see the home the cat will be living in.

  • Always ask for a fee from the new home. Never give your cat away as “free to a good home” because this can attract the wrong type of person.

 

When you’ve found a potential new home for your cat:

  • Personally visit the prospective new home yourself to ensure that it is a safe and healthy environment that is suitable for your cat.

  • Have your cat spayed/neutered before placing them with their new family to help reduce pet overpopulation.

  • Require them to allow you to speak with their veterinarian team to make sure they take their animals to regular vet visits.

 

If you are not able to rehome your cat on your own, the next steps are to reach out to other cat adoption or rescue organizations and utilize Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet (See Below).

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The DRHS is partnered with Adopt-a-Pet.com to provide a low-cost rehoming courtesy listing. This option allows you to rehome your animal directly to a new home without ever coming to the shelter.

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Rehome by Adopt a Pet helps you safely find a new home for your pet. All you need to do is to set up your pet's profile (should take less than 10 mins). Once completed, your pet's profile will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com and be seen by millions of visitors each month!

*Use code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z for 90% off your listing fee

The pets shown below are not pets at the Dubuque Regional Humane Society (DRHS) and require direct communication through Adopt-a-Pet.com. This listing is a courtesy for those seeking to rehome and for animal lovers who are looking to find a new pet. The DRHS is not responsible for any health conditions or behavior issues the pets listed below may have. The DRHS and Adopt-a-Pet.com require that all pets are spayed or neutered within the first 30 days of adoption.

As a final step, if you have no other options, please fill out the Surrender Form below. The Dubuque Regional Humane Society will review the submission to see if we can assist you.

  • We are only able to accept animals that have been previously spayed/neutered and are current on their vaccinations.

  • It is important that you understand the implications of surrendering your cat to the DRHS.

  • We exist as a resource to people who have explored all other alternatives and have done the work to alter and vaccinate their pets. However, we received 5-10 calls a day for surrender requests.

  • Our space and resources are limited. As a result, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to place your cat up for adoption. There is a possibility that your cat may have to be euthanized if we determine that he or she is un-adoptable.

  • Please understand that we want to help your pet find a good home, and we appreciate you taking the time to try all alternatives first before surrendering.

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