Adoption Facts
We take the adoption process very seriously. You must be over the age of 18 to adopt from Pies & Kittens. To request a meet and greet with the cats in our care, please fill out the adoption application found on the "ADOPT" page. The application may seem long but it's important for our screening process. It neither obligates you to adopt from us nor is it an approval for adoption, it just gives us more information about the family/home a foster cat would enter into. Applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis. Once an application is reviewed those that are approved are sent to the second part of the process: a meet and greet! It is very important that all members of the household attend, especially children. We want to make sure that everyone in the home is on the same page when adopting a cat and that any children know how to properly care for a cat. Once all meetings with prospective adopters are completed, then a final decision on a forever home will be made.
Most cats are very social and enjoy the company of other cats. As a general rule of thumb, cats must be adopted out in pairs or join a young playful cat already in the home. If, in the rare instance, we have an independent cat up for adoption, we may consider adopting as a single.
Please know that not every application will result in an approval and not every meet and greet will result in an adoption.
Most cats are very social and enjoy the company of other cats. As a general rule of thumb, cats must be adopted out in pairs or join a young playful cat already in the home. If, in the rare instance, we have an independent cat up for adoption, we may consider adopting as a single.
Please know that not every application will result in an approval and not every meet and greet will result in an adoption.
Adoption Fees
"Why does it cost so much when I can adopt from a shelter for a whole lot less or just get a kitten for free online?"
We get this question a lot and the answer is two fold...
We get this question a lot and the answer is two fold...
First, the cats we adopt out are fully vetted and healthy. They'll have age appropriate vaccines (they may require one more booster and/or rabies shot after adoption based on their age) and be spayed and neutered. Some cats that enter foster care are healthy and may only require basic care. But other times we have more difficult cases that require multiple visits to the vet and possible medical treatment. The expenses for all cats, healthy or sick, need to be spread across the board to keep our rescue running. If you see an online ad saying "FREE!" or come across someone outside a store with a box of kittens just know that you'll be spending upwards of $300 PER KITTEN for basic care in those first few vet visits!
Second, the cats we have for adoption are socialized. Many cats in shelters spend most of their day in a cage having only sporadic contact with other cats or people. We spend HOURS playing and cuddling with our furry friends to make sure they are confident little kitties when they are adopted. All this time spent with them makes us experts in their personalities. This way we can help guide you in matching the best kitty to the best family so everyone can thrive!
Second, the cats we have for adoption are socialized. Many cats in shelters spend most of their day in a cage having only sporadic contact with other cats or people. We spend HOURS playing and cuddling with our furry friends to make sure they are confident little kitties when they are adopted. All this time spent with them makes us experts in their personalities. This way we can help guide you in matching the best kitty to the best family so everyone can thrive!
Health Facts
Cats available for adoption will have the following age appropriate health screenings:
Testing for FIV/FeLV (aka combo/snap test)
Testing for FIV/FeLV (aka combo/snap test)
- This test screens for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV)
- To find out more: FeLV https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/felv/ FIV https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/fiv/
- This vaccination is for the following viruses: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Calicivirus (C), Panleukopenia (P). Kittens need 4 shots, 3 weeks apart (starting at 6 weeks of age or upon intake if older) to build an immunity. Depending on the age of the cat you're adopting they may still need one of the boosters. After the boosters this becomes an annual vaccination with your vet.
- To learn more: https://www.fallsroad.com/site/tips-resources-blog-baltimore-vet/2021/04/23/fvrcp-vaccine-for-cats
- Kittens must be at least 16 weeks of age to receive the rabies shot. The rabies shot is a once a year shot that can be administered the same time as their annual vaccinations.
- To learn more: https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/rabies/
- All cats will receive a minimum three doses of dewormer. All cats are susceptible to a variety of parasites, especially that were living or born outside before they enter our rescue.
- To learn more: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/internal-parasites-in-cats
- All cats are REQUIRED to be spayed/neutered before adoption. Spaying/neutering offers health benefits including decreased risk of ovarian/uterine cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. Plus, there are no uncomfortable heat cycles for females or unwanted spraying of territory by males.
- To learn more: https://www.animalleague.org/get-involved/spay-usa/benefits-spaying-or-neutering-pets/
Cat Adoption Guide
Owning a cat comes with a learning curve. Even if you're an experienced cat owner, every cat has a different personality and will adjust to their new surroundings differently. But don't fret! We're here to help with some basic information so you and your cat can become the best of friends. The guide below is required reading if you are planning on adopting from Pies & Kittens.
