Adoption FAQ
Listed below are some frequently asked questions and answers about the adoption process for our organization.
The first step in the adoption process is to fill out an adoption application. Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our organization and the potential adopter will be contacted to discuss the application. As part of the adoption process, we will ask questions and provide insight to help the adopter make the best decision on their new kitty. We know our cats best and we want to ensure that each kitty is properly matched with their ideal family. If we believe another kitty might be better suited for the home, we will make that recommendation to the potential adopter.
The second step in the adoption process once the application is approved is to schedule a meet and greet with the potential kitty. We hold adoption events every Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm in the Adoption Center inside the Roswell PetSmart. Additional adoption times can be made by appointment with an approved application. Please be aware that some of our kitties are living in foster homes, so schedules may need to be coordinated to schedule a kitty meet and greet.
The third step in the adoption process once the adoption application has been approved and the kitty has been selected is to complete and sign the additional adoption paperwork at the Roswell PetSmart. On average the adoption process can take one to two hours, so please plan on scheduling this block of time. At the time of adoption, we will require full payment of the appropriate adoption fees. The adopter will need to provide a carrier to transport the adopted kitty to their new home. If bringing a carrier from home, please make sure the carrier is clean which includes any blankets or pads inside the carrier. We also want to ensure the adopter has all the appropriate cat supplies for a successful transition to their new home which we will review at the time of adoption.
The adoption fee is $195 to adopt one cat or kitten and $350 to adopt two cats or two kittens. These adoption fees are subject to change as our expenses constantly increase with inflation. Our adoption fee does not cover all of our expenses, so we appreciate extra donations to help offset our costs. Please consider making a donation to help support the homeless cats and kittens that come to our rescue.
All of our cats and kittens are up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations (FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies), spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed, and treated for fleas. All kitties receive a Feline Triple SNAP which tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and heartworms (HW).
In addition, any additional medical needs the animal has had prior to adoption such as diagnostic tests, treatments, additional surgeries, and medications per the recommendation of our veterinarian. Our adoption fee does not cover all of our expenses, so we appreciate extra donations to help offset our costs. Please consider making a donation to help support the homeless cats and kittens that come to our rescue.
Medical vetting for a cat or kitten can be expensive, especially for a small cat rescue. Our medical costs average around $200 per healthy kitty, but medical care is constantly rising with inflation. If you were to get medical vetting on your own, expect to pay sixty to seventy percent more. In addition, our average medical costs do not include any extra medical expenses that might be needed such as dental, bloodwork, x-rays, medications, and supplies. Our adoption fee alone rarely covers the cost of all of our expenses on each kitty.
All cat and kitten adoptions are done at the Roswell PetSmart. Adoption paperwork will be completed and signed by the adopter. PetSmart coupon books will be given to the adopter at the time of adoption.
We accept credit card payments through our shelter management system.
The adopter must be eighteen or older to adopt a cat or kitten from our rescue.
We do not adopt out of state. Our rescue will only adopt our cats or kittens locally in Georgia.
All cats and kittens are spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed, and flea treated. They receive a Feline Triple SNAP which tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and heartworms (HW).
All cats and kittens are given age-appropriate vaccinations (FVRCP and FeLV) to help guard against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia plus an age-appropriate rabies shot. Per our veterinarian’s guidelines, kittens need a series of shots: 3 FVRCP and 2 FeLV, and 1 Rabies. Depending on the kitten’s age at the time of adoption, it will be the adopter’s responsibility to complete this program. Generally, adult cats will receive one of each (FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies) as per our veterinarian’s recommendation.
As a general rule kittens that are six weeks of age or older receive a Feline Triple SNAP which tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and heartworms (HW). They will also start their vaccinations. Per our veterinarian’s guidelines, kittens need a series of shots: 3 FVRCP and 2 FeLV, and 1 Rabies. Depending on the kitten’s age at the time of adoption, it will be the adopter’s responsibility to complete this program.
Per the guidance of our veterinarian, unless there are any medical issues, female kittens can be spayed when they weigh 2 1/2 pounds and male kittens can be neutered when they weigh 2 pounds. Our rescue does not allow any kitten to be adopted to their new home unless the kitten has been spayed or neutered.
Research has shown that healthy kittens can be safely spayed and neutered at earlier ages, although it was not generally accepted by many veterinarians and shelters until now. The recommendation by our vet is to spay or neuter healthy kittens at around 2 months old or as soon as males weigh 2 pounds and females weigh 2 1/2 pounds. Female kittens can get pregnant as young as four months old, so spaying or neutering earlier is the best way to prevent unwanted litters. Studies have shown that kittens sterilized at younger ages have fewer surgical complications, recover quickly, and have a lower risk of mammary tumors.
We do not allow fostering to adopt. Our rescue is looking to place our cats or kittens in permanent homes and we believe taking a kitty out of the population to place in a temporary situation is not fair to the kitty especially if the kitty ends up starting all over again looking for a new home. This kitty could have missed an opportunity for a permanent adopter while the kitty was in a temporary home.
We often do same-day adoptions typically during the weekend adoption events every Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm in the Adoption Center inside the Roswell PetSmart but the amount of time can vary depending on many different circumstances. If the adopter is currently renting, we will request to contact the landlord to verify the ability to have a kitty at the rental property and we will request a written confirmation of payment of the pet deposit prior to adoption. If the kitty is currently living in a foster home, schedules would need to be coordinated.
There is no set magical time frame for a cat or kitten to adjust to their new home but on average it takes about two to three weeks. Just like people, they are all different and we need to be patient with their timeline. Please be sure to read bring kitty home and introductions to other animals for tips on a better adjustment.
All of our cats and kittens are healthy and fully vetted at the time when they leave our rescue for adoption to their new homes. We do recommend visiting with your veterinarian within the first month after adoption to establish full responsibility for your kitty’s medical care. Make sure to bring your adoption records with you to the vet visit. Our rescue has provided electronic copies of the cat’s adoption records that you can share with your veterinarian.
If you have adopted a kitten, it will have received age-appropriate vaccinations at the time of adoption and we will provide instructions if further vaccinations are necessary. It is imperative that you follow that vaccination timeline otherwise, the kitten will have to start over with the vaccines and it will be the adopter’s responsibility to complete this program. Please contact us if you need a vet recommendation.
Our partner veterinarians that provide vetting services to the homeless cats and kittens that come to our rescue are Dr. Clarke from VCA Pets Are People Too Roswell Animal Hospital and Dr. Spencer (Bowyer) from Community Cat Clinic in Duluth.
If at any time you are experiencing issues with your kitty after your adoption, please reach out to us. We may be able to offer some guidance depending on the type of issue that you are facing. Please also review our kitty advice page to see if your concern has been addressed. Our contract states our organization will take our cats back if it does not work out with no time restraint but we do ask for notice to give us time to secure space with a foster home. Please be aware that you will not be eligible to receive a refund of the adoption fee. We are unable to take cats that come from another organization, so please contact the original rescue where you adopted your kitty.