You have decided you want to rehome a rescue cat but you have no idea where to start. No worries, we have got you covered with our guide on where to adopt a cat in London from.
There are many cat shelters in London, from huge charities to smaller rescue holdings to breed-specific such as Maine Coon rescue centres.
There are also cats of all ages up for adoption, from small kittens to golden oldies. There will be a cat looking for a forever home who will fit perfectly into your family.
The most important when trying to find a cat to adopt in London is to ensure you contact a registered charity. By adopting from a registered charity you will ensure the cat you choose is a genuine rescue, not a cat that has been bred for profit. All registered charities will have their charity number on their website. You will not find rescue cat shelters on sites such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
London Cat Shelters – Where to adopt a cat in London
Do you have pay to adopt a cat?
Generally, there will be a standard ‘adoption fee’ to rehome most cats. This set fee will cover any vaccinations, neutering, Mircochip and any other Veterinary treatment the cat has previous had while under the cat of the rescue. The price varies between charities ranging from £60-£150 – a much lower fee than if you had to pay for all these things individually. All of this money will then go straight back into the charity to help look after further cats.
What is the process of rehoming a cat in London?
This procedure varies between charities and how the set are set up. The process usually starts will completing an online application, this application will share your details, your home circumstances and what type of cat you are looking for. Generally, you will then have a ‘home visit’ where a member of the charity will visit your home to assess the suitably for a cat, after this is complete you will have the opportunity to look and meet the different cats available for adoption.
This process can take up to 1-2 months but it is essential for the charity to carry out these checks. These checks ensure the cats are going to a good home as well as your suitability for having a cat. The cats are looking for forever homes, they do not want to be back in another shelter because they do not match with your lifestyle.
Can you chose the cat you want?
Of course! You may find the charity will make suggestions depending on your circumstances and home life but the ultimate decision will be yours. Be prepared if you are looking to rehome a kitten or a certain type of cat you may end up waiting longer for one to become available.
If you can visit the rescue home, go with an open mind and take the time to meet all of the cats, especially the more timid ones. You may find your perfect rescue cat is not the one you first had in mind.
Cat Rehoming in London
Battersea Cats and Dogs Home
Without a doubt, the most famous in London, Battersea cats and dogs home has been rescuing animals since 1871.
On average, the shelter which is now across 3 sites, has 150 cats looking for their forever homes at anyone time. Across their history they have looked after 3.1 million cats and dogs.
Even Larry- Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, the official cat of 10 Downing Street was rescued from Battersea cats and dogs home in London!
Cats Protection – Various branches across London
Cats Protection have many branches across London and the surrounding areas. Many of which are maintained by volunteers and fosterers. Check there website to contact your closest branch or you can also visit their North London Adoption centre in Archway.
Cats Protection also list many of their cats on their website, meaning if you can also enquire about a particular cat.
Feline Friends London
Feline Friends London was founded in July 2013 with the aim of offering sanctuary to cats at risk of unnecessary euthanasia & to help cats in need in Hackney.
Since then FFL has grown into a network of experienced cat rescuers, veterinary and other professionals. Alongside Hackney, they also now operate in many different boroughs.
They even have an adorable section on their website for ‘overlooked cats‘.
Croydon Animal Samaritans
Croydon Animal Samaritans have been helping and rescuing animals since 1974, they rehome all species, not just cats. While they are predominately based in Croydon, they do have volunteers and fosterers across the whole of London.
Alongside their rehoming opportunities, they also offer sponsorship for ‘feral cats’. Meaning for a small yearly fee you can ensure a cat which is not well suited to a human home life can still be fed, watered and well-looked after.
Celia Hammond Trust – Canning Town
The Celia Hammond Animals Trust operates in London and throughout the South East to help stray, abandoned and unwanted animals.
They have a main rehoming centre in Canning Town as well as another based in Lewisham. They have a strict ‘non-destruction’ policy, meaning they are often at full capacity. They have a clear message of their cats and kittens requiring adopters to be a little more ‘openminded’ or ‘rescue minded’ and to consider giving the ‘harder to home’ or even just the less popular colour cats and kittens a chance.
London Inner City Kitties (L.I.C.K)
Several cat lovers with many years’ rescue experience and a shared vision for London cats formed L.I.C.K. to merge resources to help kitties in need, especially those overlooked and in the most need of medical attention and long-term fostering.
They are based in East and North London where they do most of their work but they also help in other parts of the Capital and work alongside with charities inside and near London.
L.I.C.K’s vision for London Cats:
- Every inner-city kitty living in a loving home
- No feral cats foraging for food
- No pets abandoned to die on the streets
Cat Cuddles Sanctuary London
Predominately based in Greenwich, Cat Cuddles is a cat rehoming charity that has grown in both size and heart since its 2012 start. They are all about promoting and strengthening the feline-human bond and helping pair up unwanted cats with loving forever homes and humans.
During their growth, they have also opened a cat only Veterinary clinic in Palmer’s Green, North London in 2020. This clinic is open for all cats to register but its aim is to further support and grow funds for the charity.
The Mayhew Animal Home
Rehoming cats and dogs throughout London, and improving animal welfare internationally through education. The Mayhew has been rescuing and caring for abandoned, abused and unwanted animals in London since 1886.
They also run a Trap, Neuter, Return programme for feral cats to help control and contain the local cat population.
The Siamese Cat Welfare Trust
The SCCWT operates a rescue and re-homing service for unwanted adult siamese cats. Permanent, loving homes are often needed for adult cats. This particular charity does not rehome kittens.
While they operate across the UK, they have a big presence in the UK.
Stokey Cats and Dogs
Stokey Cat and dogs were born as a Facebook group in July 2014. Originally it was set up only to reunite lost pets with their owners. Unfortunately, many cats found on the streets or in someone’s garden weren’t microchipped, didn’t have collars, were not neutered, or were badly injured so classified as “stray”.
Many locals joined the FB group and very quickly they became an online network for like-minded, animal-loving people who help stray cats to find their forever loving homes. At present they just the North London area.
Wood Green Animal Charity
Wood Green is the home of the Channel 4 TV Show ‘The Dog House’ – however, they also rehome many cats.
They have been open since 1924, caring for every species and their goal is to match families with their perfect pet in order to ensure they find their forever homes.
There are plenty of cat rescue shelters in London but as previously mentioned it is important to ensure they are a registered charity. Adopting a cat which is looking for its forever home is a wonderful thing to do, you are giving a homeless cat a second chance at life, one which they will forever be grateful for.