Additional information
If your need to surrender is immediate and we are not available to assist, please click here to find other shelters in your area that might be able to assist you. If you would like to learn more information about trying to re-home your cat on your own, please visit:
Surrender may not be your only option.
We understand that giving up a cat can be a very difficult decision for you and the stress associated with a new environment can be tough on a cat. We do our best to work with cat caretakers who would like to keep their cat but are experiencing stresses or circumstances that make having them in their home seem impossible. There may be a solution or program available to help you and your kitty. Explore many of the options below.
Many cat caretakers don't want to give up their cat, but if he's doing something they don’t like or is destructive, it’s easy to become frustrated. If you're experiencing behavioral issues with your cat or kitten, please visit our Knowledge Library to learn more about problem behavior.
Are you experiencing an emergency situation that prevents you from caring for your cat for a period of time? MRFRS's Bridge Program provides boarding for cats whose owners are in perilous circumstances. Is this program an option for you? Please email info@mrfrs.org for more information.
You may have seen shows on TV where celebrities with colorful personality swoop in like superheroes and solves all of a person's cat problems. You don't have to be on TV to get help from a feline behaviorist. There are several local consultants who provide services in this area. Visit our Resource Directory to see a list of professional pet problem solvers.
Many women who become pregnant feel they must give up their cat. Perhaps their aunt told them cats harm babies or a friend told them cleaning a cat box will cause health issues. What good mother would choose to keep their cat after hearing those sorts of stories? However, many of these concerns are old wives tales that have persisted, over exaggerations or complete fabrications. Check out our Knowledge Library to learn more about the risks and benefits of keeping cats and kids under the same roof.
Are you having difficulty affording food for your cat? MRFRS offers support for cat owners who need assistance buying food or prescription diets for their kitties and invite you to visit our Resource Directory to see a list of local food pantries that may have pet food available.
If you don't think you can afford medical care for your cat, check out MRFRS's vaccine clinics for both cats and dogs, low-cost spay/neuter options, and programs to help reduce the cost of care for cats who have emergency medical needs. Visit our Assistance & Low Cost Programs page to find out more about MRFRS's programs. Our Resource Directory page also lists low cost veterinary options. Take a look and see if there are solutions that fit your situation.
You may also choose to rehome your cat yourself.
Adopt-a-Pet.com, the largest non-profit pet adoption website, has created a simple, free program to help you place your pet from your loving home directly to another. You'll create a profile for your pet, review applications, meet adopters, and then finalize the adoption all on your own. This may be a less stressful option for your pet.You can click the banner to the left or click here to visit their site and learn more.