Adoption Information
At SOS Cat Rescue, our goal is to make the best possible match while ensuring every cat has a safe, stable, and permanent home. We understand that some of these requests may feel personal, so we want to explain why we ask for them. These requirements are not intended to create obstacles. They are designed to protect the cats entrusted to our care and to help ensure successful, lifelong placements for both cats and adopters.
Drivers License or Government-Issued ID
This helps us verify identity, confirm that the information provided is accurate, and protect our rescue from fraudulent applications. We use Adopter Passport because they are an encrypted software.
Proof of Address
We use this to verify where the cat will be living and to ensure the address matches the information provided in the application.
One Personal Reference (Non-Family Member)
Friends, coworkers, neighbors, or others who know you well can often provide an objective perspective on your experience with pets and your ability to care for an animal. Family members, while important, may not provide the same independent viewpoint.
Current Pet Records
Landlord Reference
Co-Adopter vs Backup Caregiver
If you currently have pets, we ask for veterinary records to confirm they are receiving routine preventative care, vaccinations, and medical attention. This helps us understand the level of care a new cat can expect to receive.
Dogs: Rabies, DHPP, Flea/Tick
Cats: Rabies, FVRCP, Flea/Tick
Rabbits: RHDV1, RHDV2 & Myxomatosis
We verify that pets are permitted in the home and that there are no restrictions that could later result in a cat needing to be rehomed. This step helps prevent heartbreaking situations for both adopters and cats.
Applicants Age 60+
Cats can live 15-20+ years. To ensure every cat has a lifelong safety net, we require a co-adopter for applicants age 60+. This helps provide continuity of care should an unexpected health, housing or life change occur.
College Students
College years often bring significant changes, including graduation, moves, internships, housing restrictions, travel, & career opportunities. We require a co-adopter for students to help ensure the cat always has a stable support system if circumstances change.
Everyone must have a backup caregiver!
Our Third-Party Vendor
SOS Cat Rescue partners with Adopter Passport, a trusted third-party screening platform, to streamline the adoption process. By securely collecting and verifying information upfront, applications can often be reviewed in just a few days instead of several weeks. This allows our volunteers to spend less time on paperwork and more time focusing on what matters most....find the right forever home for every cat.
Important Adoption Policies
At SOS Cat Rescue, our policies are designed to protect the long-term health, safety, and well-being of the cats entrusted to our care.
Indoor-Only Homes
Cats adopted through us must live indoors. Indoor cats live significantly longer, healthier lives and are protected from vehicles, predators, disease, toxins and other outdoor dangers.
No Declawing
SOS does not permit declawing. Declawing is an amputation procedure that removes part of a cat's toes and can lead to lifelong pain, behavioral issues, and mobility problems.
Veterinary Care
Adopters agree to provide routine veterinary care, vaccinations as recommended by their veterinarian, and prompt medical attention when needed. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING INSURANCE.
Return to SOS
If an adopter can no longer keep their cat, the cat must be returned to SOS Cat Rescue or rehomed with SOS approval. We never want our cats to enter a shelter system or uncertain situations. Trying to reach us in one way and not all forms of communication is not acceptable. You can reach us through our Facebook page, our phone number and our adopt@soscatrescue.org email address.
Gift Policy
SOS understands that a cat can seem like the perfect gift, but we believe the decision to adopt should be made by the person who will be responsible for the cat's care. Therefore, cats cannot be adopted as a surprise gift for another person. Family members and friends may purchase a gift certificate to help cover adoption fees, supplies, veterinary care, or other adoption-related expenses.
Pickup or Delivery
Some fosters prefer to personally deliver their foster cats to help ensure a smooth transition. Delivery availability varies by foster and location.
Cats may be picked up at an agreed-upon location. It's up to the foster.
For out-of-state adoptions, adopters are responsible for the payment of transportation ($100 - $200) and health certificates required by law ($75-$100).
Kitten Policy
Young Children - Kittens may be placed in homes with children under the age of 5 on a case-by-case basis. The temperament of the kitten, the experience of the family & the ability to provide appropriate supervision will all be considered.
Companionship Requirement - Kittens must be adopted in pairs or placed in a home with another young, playful, and cat-friendly feline companion.
Work-from-home Exception - In some case, a single kitten may be approved for adoption without another feline companion if there is a work-from-home parent or caregiver who can provide significant daily interaction, enrichment and companionship.
Homes with Dogs Policy
Individual Evaluation - Homes with dogs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider the dog's age, size, energy levels, prey drive, training, history with cats, and overall temperament before placing a kitten or cat in the home.
Kitten Safety - The age, personality, and confidence level of the kitten will be carefully matched with the dog's temperament to help ensure a safe and successful introduction.
Introductions & Supervision
Adopters should be prepared to follow a gradual introduction process and provide appropriate supervision until all pets are safely acclimated.
We also require a safe space for all transitions no matter whether you currently have pets or not.
Read up on Jackson Galaxy's Slow Introduction videos/books.
Adoption Donations
SOS Cat Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Adoption donations are not based on the "value" of a cat, but rather help offset a portion of the rescue's expensese, including veterinary care, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, food, litter, transportation, medical treatment, foster support, and ongoing rescues operations.
Suggested adoption donations may vary among cats based on factors such as age, breed type, rarity of placements opportunities, medical history, demand, length of time in rescue, and the anticipated costs of continuing rescue efforts. In some cased, cats with higher adoption donations help subsidize the care of senior cats, special-needs cats, medically complex cats, and cats who may remain in rescue for extended periods of time.
Adoption donations are determined by the board of SOS Cat Rescue in its sole discretion and are intended to support the organization's charitable mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats in need. Adoption donations are not a purchase price and do not represent the market value of an animal.
Return Policy
We do our best to match cat's with their new families, however, we are not perfect and can sometimes get it wrong. We are true believers in giving cats time that they need to acclimate. However, if you are unable to keep your cat, here are our policies:
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You must return the cat to SOS or approved party
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Any new home must be SOS approved via an SOS application
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There will be NO REFUND if the cat is returned due to not meeting the adopter's expectations.
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Donations may be refundable at SOS's discretion but only after the cat is returned.
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Bonded pairs must be returned together - no exceptions.
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Adopter must be willing to foster the cat/s, sign a release form and ensure that they are up-to-date on their vaccines.
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