Rehoming a cat is never an easy decision. Whether due to financial hardship, allergies, housing restrictions, or other personal challenges, finding a safe, loving home for your feline companion requires responsibility and careful planning. Too often, cats are abandoned or surrendered to shelters where they face uncertain fates.

This guide provides ethical, step-by-step guidance on how to responsibly rehome a cat while highlighting common mistakes that could put them at risk.

Step 1: Explore Every Possible Alternative Before Rehoming

Before making the difficult decision to give up your cat, consider all possible solutions that could allow you to keep them:

🐾 Financial Hardship: Pet Food and Veterinary Assistance

If you are struggling with the costs of food or medical care, several cat-specific resources in the tristate area can help:

Cat-Focused Pet Food Banks in the Tristate Area:

• Pennsylvania:

PAWS Pet Food Pantry – Philadelphia-based pantry providing cat food for families in need.

Spike’s Pet Food Pantry –  Provides pet food assistance to residents of Berks and Lancaster Counties to ensure pets remain in their homes during times of financial hardship.

• New Jersey:

Animal Welfare Association Pet Food Pantry – Helps struggling families with cat food and supplies in South Jersey.

• Delaware:

Faithful Friends Animal Society – Provides cat food assistance and supplies for struggling pet owners.

🐾 Low-Cost Veterinary Care in the Tristate Area

If medical expenses are making it difficult to care for your cat, consider reaching out to low-cost veterinary clinics that offer discounted exams, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services:

• Forgotten Cats Clinics (PA & DE) – Specializes in affordable feline healthcare, including spay/neuter.
• Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) – Low-cost medical care for cats in the Philadelphia area.
• St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (NJ) – Offers reduced-cost veterinary care, including wellness exams and treatments.
• Faithful Friends Animal Society (DE) – Affordable veterinary services focused on helping pet owners in financial distress.

🐾 Behavioral Issues: Cat Training and Behavior Support

Many cats are surrendered due to litter box issues, scratching, aggression, or anxiety—problems that are often fixable with professional guidance. Here are some feline behavior specialists that can help:

• The Cat Behavior Clinic (PA, NJ, DE) – Specializes in feline behavior problems, offering virtual and in-person consultations.
• PAWS Cat Behavior Hotline – A free consultation service for cat guardians dealing with behavior concerns.
• Jackson Galaxy Project – Online resources and expert guidance on solving cat behavior problems.

🐾 Temporary Care: Foster-Based Assistance for Cats

If your situation is temporary (e.g., hospitalization, housing transition), short-term foster programs can help keep your cat safe until you can bring them home again:

• PAWS Safety Net Foster Program (PA) – Temporary fostering program for cats whose owners are in crisis.
• St. Hubert’s Foster Program (NJ) – Provides temporary homes for cats in need.
• Faithful Friends Crisis Foster Program (DE) – Short-term fostering for cats when owners are facing emergencies.

Step 2: Finding a Safe and Loving Home for Your Cat

1️⃣ Work with a Reputable Cat Rescue Organization (Preferred Option)

The safest and most responsible way to rehome your cat is through a cat rescue organization or no-kill shelter. These organizations have experience in assessing adopters, ensuring compatibility, and providing long-term security for cats in need.

Why choose a rescue organization?

✔ Thorough Vetting Process: Rescues conduct home checks, interviews, and adoption screenings to ensure your cat is placed in a responsible home.

✔ Adoption Support: If an adopter later realizes they cannot keep the cat, most rescues require the cat to be returned to them, ensuring they never end up in a bad situation.

✔ Medical & Behavioral Assistance: Many rescues provide pre-adoption vet care, behavioral support, and trial adoption periods to ensure a smooth transition.

🐾 Cat Rescue Organizations in the Tristate Area

• Pennsylvania:
• Forgotten Cats (PA & DE) – Specializes in cat rescue, adoptions, and community support.
• PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) – A no-kill rescue providing adoption and rehoming support.
• New Jersey:
• Tabby’s Place – A cage-free rescue that prioritizes rehoming special-needs and senior cats.
• Animal Welfare Association (AWA) – Offers adoption services and feline welfare programs.
• Delaware:
• Faithful Friends Animal Society – Provides rescue, adoption, and post-adoption support.

Contact local rescues first! Even if they cannot take in your cat immediately, they may assist you with the process and help find a responsible adopter.

2: If a Rescue Cannot Take Your Cat, Rehome Through a Trusted Network

If no rescue has immediate space, start by asking friends, family, and coworkers who may be looking for a cat. A personal connection allows you to stay involved and ensure your cat is going to a safe home.

• Provide a detailed history of your cat’s personality, habits, and medical needs so potential adopters understand the commitment.
• Offer a trial period to see if it’s a good match before finalizing the adoption.

3: Use Reputable Cat-Specific Rehoming Platforms

If personal connections are not an option, consider verified rehoming services:

• Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet – Connects owners with responsible adopters through a structured application process.
• Get Your Pet – Facilitates direct adoptions from cat owners to new families.

Step 3: Prepare Your Cat for Their New Home

• Vet Check-Up: Ensure your cat is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and in good health before rehoming.
• Send Familiar Items: Provide their new owner with their favorite blanket, toys, and litter to ease the transition.
• Trial Period Option: If possible, allow for a trial adoption period where you check in to ensure the new home is a good fit.

Mistakes to Avoid 🚫

🚫 Never Abandon Your Cat Outdoors – Domesticated cats cannot survive on their own. Abandonment is cruel and illegal.

🚫 Do Not Take Your Cat to a High-Intake Shelter – Many shelters are overwhelmed, and older cats often do not get adopted. Research no-kill rescues first.

🚫 Avoid Giving Cats Away for Free – People who acquire free pets sometimes resell them, neglect them, or use them as bait in dog fights or to train their dogs to fight.

🚫 Rehome Responsibly – Always use a written adoption agreement to ensure the adopter commits to caring for your cat.

Final Thoughts: Every Cat Deserves a Safe Future

Rehoming a cat should never be rushed. Whenever possible, work with a rescue organization first—they have the expertise to find a safe, stable, and loving home. If that isn’t an option, ensure any private adoption is thoroughly vetted to protect your cat’s future.