How do I go about selecting a good adopter for the cat/kitten I have put up?

Screening of adopters must be done to prevent our cats/kittens from falling into the wrong hands with people who do not have the commitment to look after them for life, or may have ill intentions like trying to sell or breed them.

Here are the suggested criteria for the screening of potential adopters. They are not rules and you may form your own criteria when looking for potential adopters for your cat/kitten.

While we want to find the best homes for our cats, it is also important to note that people may not start out with all the necessary knowledge about how to be a responsible cat owner. Rather than take a judgemental attitude with adopters, remember that it is our job as fosterers to educate them and the best way to do so is to be encouraging and to build a good long-term relationship with our adopters.

When you are screening adopters, do take note of

1. the way that the cat reacts with the potential adopter and vice versa;

2. whether the potential adopter has experience with a cat;

3. the history of the adopters' previous cats;

4. if the potential adopter currently has a cat, dog, children - whether the new addition would fit into the family.

5. the age of the potential adopter. If the adopter is below 21, you may wish to get the adopter's parents to adopt the cat so that they are part of the process & with their approval. Bear in mind that a cat is not a toy for a child. Cats/kittens adopted without parental consent can end up being dump/abandoned.

6. whether the potential adopter is able to look after the cat for the next 15 to 20 years;

7. that the potential adopter will get the cat sterilised at 6 months;

8. that the potential adopter will not de-claw the cat;

9. whether the potential adopter has the financial resources to keep a cat -- food, litter and medical expenses;

10. that the potential adopter must seek medical treatment if the cat is ill;

11. that the potential adopter allows you the foster to visit the cat at its new home (within reason);

12. that the potential adopter must agree to keep the cat for the rest of its natural life, and if they are moving overseas to take it with them;

13. that the potential adopter will return the cat to you the fosterer, in the event that they are unable to keep the cat;

14. that provision is made to prevent the cat from falling off the windows, balcony of high-rise building;

15. that the potential adopter has the necessary equipment before bringing a cat home - litter box, sand, cat food etc.

16. adopted cats are not to be sold or bred.

Please do not feel obligated or pressurised to give the cat up - some adopters are very 'pushy'. First one to write in does not mean the adopter has priority. We are sure you want the cat to go to the best home possible - and if you do not feel comfortable, do not give the potential adopter the cat. If you want them to come see the cat a few more times before taking it home, this is entirely appropriate and acceptable.

A sample adoption contract is available for reference on the adoption FAQ page. Feel free to download, amend and use it if you wish to sign a simple contract. It is a contract between you and the adopter - it would make the adopter aware of the responsibilities required of him or her as a cat owner.