Applying for Rescue Space

This information is for people who wish to apply for rescue space for an owned cat.

If you are concerned about a cat that you believe to be stray, please contact us through our dedicated Facebook Page 'Lost and Found Cats Teesside'

Applying does NOT guarantee acceptance, as we have a finite amount of space and resources.

If the application is successful, we will then contact you to complete a Permanent Transfer of Ownership form. 

When we receive back the completed Transfer Form and the cat comes into our care, you will cease to own the cat(s) and this decision is irreversible.

You are responsible for reading and understanding the information; if anything is unclear, please ask.

For those people who are rejecting their cat for any of the following reasons, we ask you to think carefully and consider the following points:

- If this is due to moving house, there are many places that allow pets, more so since the reformation of the Renters’ Rights Bill. In the majority of cases, you will be able to find another property that enables you to keep your cat. 

- If this is due to allergies, your GP will be able to advise and prescribe medication. Air purifiers can also often help.

- If you are pregnant and have concerns regarding toxoplasmosis, this is easily remedied through the use of disposable plastic gloves when changing/cleaning toileting areas.

- If this is due to behaviours related to unneutered cats (e.g. spraying, aggression, straying, howling), please see our page for Low Cost Services, where you will find our currently available schemes.

- If you are struggling financially, we empathise with your situation. Please consider other non-essential things that you can give up before your cat though – E.g. takeaways, hairdresser/barber appointments, tattoos, nails, tv subscriptions, branded clothing etc.

- If you are concerned that you do not have sufficient time for your cats, look at changing your routines. Cats are more than happy to be in their own company while you are at work, especially if there are two of them. Cleaning trays and feeding cats takes less than half an hour, and they will be happy to accompany you around the house while you carry out other tasks.

- If you are giving away your cat due to aggression or ‘bad behaviour’ and have already had your cat(s) neutered, then there are many ways to resolve and remedy this (which we have to do for all cats with unwanted behaviours that come into rescue). Please contact us if you would like advice.

- If this is due to a relationship breakdown, we are so sorry you are going through this. You may want to ask us about short-term respite care as an alternative to surrendering your cat, if space is available.

Finally…if you are giving away your cat because you are bored of it; didn’t think about the reality of owning a cat or have got a different pet, then please be aware of the outcomes of the the decision you have made:

It puts strain, cost and responsibilities on people who care for rejected cats as a voluntary occupation, taking away time and resources from their own lives, families and pets. 

Rejected pets also take away rescue space for those cats who are in desperate need, such as stray, lost, injured and ferals, as each rescue (not just our own) only has a finite amount of time, spaces, carers and finance. 

We are funded entirely by donations and fundraising, meaning that your cat would be supported by people who never chose to own it.