Thank you for your interest in adopting a cat from Les Amis. Here we explain how the process works to find you a cat who is well matched to you and your life.
The adoption process at Les Amis Des Animaux
Where do the cats come from that you offer for adoption?
If you are adopting an adult cat through Les Amis des Animaux then whether it was found abandoned or came to us via a refuge, the cat will probably have been in foster care for the most recent part of its life; occasionally a cat may come direct from its original home. They will be used to living in a house and be familiar with people, will be using a litter tray, and already have a well-established feeding pattern.
Most kittens are born between April and October and those that are abandoned or found in need are fostered until they are at least eight weeks old and can be chipped and vaccinated ready for adoption.
While the cat or kittens are in foster we will make sure any medical needs are attended to and will work with the carer to prepare a profile for each fosterling. This covers their character, sociability and indicates the kind of home which would suit them best, which helps ensure that the cat and you, the new owner, are well matched.
How do I register to adopt?
The easiest way is to register online. We ask you questions about the life you and your family lead, your home and your preferences to help find the right cat for you.
What if I see a cat I am interested in?
We are delighted that you have found a cat that has caught your eye. The first step is to register online. This provides us with the necessary information on your situation and allows us to suggest a match with the profile you have in mind.
Our adoption team are experts in matching up the right cat for you. Sometimes the first cat you see is not the best match. But we will work with you to help you make the perfect choice.
Where there are several people interested in the same cat, we deal with applications forms received in strict chronological order. However, not being the first in line does not mean there is no hope. Because we are looking for a match between the cat in question and the family, it is not as simple a process as being first in the queue.
Can I register if I don’t see a cat I am interested in?
Yes of course! The first step is to register online. We are always happy to receive your application and to start the search process.
We sometimes have cats in foster – particularly kittens from April to October – who may not be quite ready for adoption.
Our adoption team can search through profiles and make some initial suggestions. Who knows – the perfect cat or kitten may just be waiting in the wings for you!
We do our very best to keep this page up to date, but inevitably we have other cats and kittens that are almost ready to be included. It’s a good idea to register online to let us know your general interest just in case we have a plan or can keep you in mind for when your perfect pet comes onto our radar.
What happens after I have registered?
Once your application is approved, we can start the serious business of finding a match for you. The adoption team will review your situation and preferences, and make some initial suggestions. We encourage regular communications, initially with the adoption team and sometimes with the fosterer.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
We never charge for the cat itself. However, we do ask for a contribution towards costs already incurred, which any responsible owner would arrange: chipping, vaccinations, sterilisation, deparasiting processes (worm, tick, flea).
Our current adoption contributions are:
Kitten with chip, primo vaccine (plus leucose), worming, and deparasiting: 170 euros (of which 50 euros is refundable upon evidence of sterilisation). This means a kitten of around 8-12 weeks of age.
Kitten with chip, primo and rappel vaccine (plus leucose), worming, and deparasiting: 200 euros (of which 50 euros is refundable upon evidence of sterilisation). This means a kitten of around 12-24 weeks of age.
Older kitten/Adult cat – up to and including 6 years of age – chipped, fully vaccinated, sterilised, etc: 200 euros (170€ if only primo vaccinated).
Mid-age cat – 7-9 years – chipped, vaccinated including leucose, sterilised, etc: 170€ (140€ if only primo vaccinated)
Senior cat – 10+ years – chipped, vaccinated including leucose, sterilised (where health allows), etc: no charge for adoption. People willing to take on a senior will – if there are vacancies – be offered lifetime foster as an option.
We usually have some cats who are available free of charge for one reason or another – special diet, medical condition (e.g. healthy but tested positive for FIV). Sometimes these cats are also available, where there are vacancies, for lifetime foster.
What else is involved?
Once the adoption date has been arranged, the adopter receives an adoption contract, and relevant paperwork. This contract must be signed and returned. Payment of the contribution is made at this time either by bank transfer or cheque and must be completed prior to the cat leaving its fosterer. Once the cat is settled with you for a few days, we transfer legal ownership via iCAD to you. This is sent to the adopter direct from iCAD in the post.
Communication continues to help with any questions around settling in. We consider all adopters as part of our Les Amis Community and love to get updates as and when possible
Can I adopt two kittens together?
Yes! We strongly believe that kittens settle more quickly and are much happier when adopted in pairs – easier for the adopters too! Where two kittens are adopted together the adoption contribution for the second kitten will be waived.
Can I adopt two adult cats together?
Indeed you can! We are sometimes asked to re-home adult bonded pairs and where this is the case there is always flexibility on the adoption contribution.
I have children – can I adopt a cat?
Adopting a cat is a big decision for any family. At Les Amis des Animaux we stress how important it is that everyone in the family has agreed to adopting a cat.
Not every cat is suitable for young children, and we work very closely with you to find the cat of the right age and temperament to suit your family needs.
We generally advise that young kittens are not adopted by families with children under three. These kittens need gentle consistent handling and if scared may scratch or bite in self-defence.
Is there an upper age limit for adopting a cat?
We don’t impose an age limit although we would encourage anyone elderly to consider adopting an older cat rather than a kitten. And it always makes sense whatever the age of the carer or the animals to have thought about who would look after them if for any reason circumstances change.
I am about to move home – can I adopt a cat?
Moving home is very disruptive for people and for animals. It is especially disruptive for a cat that has recently arrived. For this reason if you are planning a move within six months, we suggest that you delay adopting until you have settled into your new home.
I live in a flat – can I adopt a cat?
You will be asked about the type of home you live in and whether there is outdoor space that the cat can access, and about nearby roads and the traffic situation in the vicinity. The adoption team will take this into consideration when finding your perfect cat. Some cats are quite happy living in an apartment if they have never experienced outside life. We never place a cat in an apartment when it has previously had free access to exterior space. Each situation is unique and we will strive to find the right match for you.
What if the cat doesn’t get on with my other cats or dogs?
We ask that you approach introductions slowly and patiently. There are tried and tested methods for making this work though sometimes everything is quite straightforward; in general the younger the new animal, the quicker assimilation into the household is accomplished. We ask that you give it time – at least four weeks – and we will work with you to achieve a smooth integration. However, if things are still very difficult after that time and you feel the situation cannot be resolved then we will make arrangements to find the new cat another place to go, though this may take time to organise.
Can I adopt a cat if I live a long way from your base in south west France?
Our cats and kittens are adopted all over France and beyond. Organising transport may take a little time and there may occasionally be some cost involved though the majority of our animals, cats and dogs, are taken to their new homes by our wonderful volunteer drivers. They work together to transport the animals with the adopters doing the final leg of the journey wherever possible.
