Rehoming Your Cats

We often receive requests from cat owners who are seeking help to rehome their pets.  This maybe because of illness or incapacity but frequently the reason is a return to the owner’s original country. We are not usually able to offer practical help but we have set out a set of guidelines which may be useful for anyone finding themselves in this position.

  • First, allow as much time as you possibly can as it is unlikely that the cats will find homes quickly. We always advise that people start looking for homes as soon as they know these will be needed.
  • Next, make sure that the cats are sterilised and identified. By law the chip or tattoo numbers must be included in any advertisement or promotion for rehoming. It is also a very good idea to make sure the cats’ vaccinations are up to date as it makes them more appealing to adopters and means they would be accepted by a cattery if they had to be boarded for a short period.
  • Take good up-to-date photos of each cat (great if you already have recent ones).
  • Write a paragraph or two about each cat: name, age and gender; personality; whether he/she is independent or a lap cat, is a sofa snuggler or prefers to spend most of the time outside; used to other cats; used to dogs; whether bonded to any other cats you are hoping to rehome. Also include where you are (post code is fine) and whether you can deliver them within a certain range.
  • Advertise them widely, not forgetting to include the chip numbers. The best way of reaching people is Facebook, so if you are not a Facebook user enlist the help of family or friends. You can advertise them on our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3136210088062330 and other expat, local and animal-related groups. To find local cat rescue groups enter Associations chat (plus your department) into Google which should bring up a list. Ask friends to ask their friends if anyone will take a cat. Also have a French version of the cat information available to hand to local vets and French contacts. 
  • If any of the cats ‘just turned up’ and are still quite feral then they will be very difficult to rehome as they will be lost if separated from their territory and will very probably just leave their new home to try to find their old one again. If these cats have fended for themselves in the past it may be kinder to leave them in situ as long as they will be tolerated outside by the new owners and not under threat from their dogs. If the new people will take them on as barn cats, with regular basic feeding to keep the rodents down then that would be a good solution.

Finally, if you care about your cats, have a Plan B.  It is very difficult to rehome adult cats in France, as there are just so many needing a place to go.  When you have several cats to rehome, some may be adopted and you may be left with one or two as your leaving date looms.  If you have them all rabies vaccinated and passported (not very expensive) they would be able to travel to the UK with you any time after the required three weeks waiting period.  In fact you are permitted to take up to five cats with you if their paperwork is in order. If you can’t take them with you straight to your new home then you could arrange beforehand for a stay in a local cattery.  If you are finding it hard to locate new homes for them in France then you can also contact Cats Protection in the UK well before you leave France. Explain your situation and how you have tried without success to find somewhere for them to go.  It is generally easier to rehome cats in the UK than in France.

Good luck! – we hope you and your cats have a successful move to their new home.