Our kitties have already experienced enough hardship, we will evaluate your application to ensure they receive safe and lasting homes. We start with an application to learn more about you and your living situation. Then, one of our experienced adoption counselors will contact you to discuss the commitment you can provide to an adopted family member.
Please understand that we are not trying to be nosy or judgmental (seriously, you’ll get enough of that from the cats); we are simply being advocates for their wellbeing. We strive to find furrrever homes that reduce the likelihood of future trauma such as being returned.
Living in the Triangle, you have the choice of many reputable shelters and rescue groups, and we are honored you chose us! As we navigate the adoption process together, please keep this in mind: the welfare of the cats and kittens in our program is the reason we are here. We are looking for homes that fully understand their needs, and adopters that can make a lifelong commitment that matches our own.
Minimum Requirements for Adoption
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- Provide a state-issued driver’s license or ID card with current address.
- Live within three hours driving distance to the Triangle area.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Provide proof that you are allowed to have a pet where you live. If you rent, you must show a copy of your current lease, including the pet policy. If you own, we can verify through public online county records.
- Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide proper medical care (routine visits, vaccinations, and treatment for unexpected illness during the entire life of the cat).
- Ensure that your cats and dogs have been sterilized and are current on vaccinations. Rabies vaccinations are legally required in North Carolina. Veterinarian References will be checked..
- Provide a stable and committed home situation for the expected life span of a cat (10-18 years).
- Have US citizenship or permanent residency in the form of a green card in order to be adopt. Individuals with a work visa (temporary residency) may be approved for our foster program.
Additional guidelines and considerations:
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- Adopters over the age of 72 will be considered for our adult cats. Due to their changing behaviors and personalities, we cannot guarantee kittens (under a year) will be a good fit for your life situation. Must have a formal care plan in order; designated contingent caretakers will be named by addendum to the contract.
- Active military personnel will be considered if the household has a non-military partner, or no possibility of Overseas Deployment or Permanent Change of Station. Proof of a family care plan will be required.
- We cannot guarantee that any of our cats are suited to be Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), as their behaviors and temperaments can change. If you intend to register the cat as an ESA, your living situation must be compatible with our overall adopter expectations. We will not consider our cats for temporary living arrangements such as college housing. We strongly recommend you work with a shelter or program with a behaviorist on staff in order to meet your needs.
Medical Care Provided to our Program Cats
Wellness check
- Spay or neuter surgery (we have a 100% pre-`adoption spay/neuter policy)
- FeLV/FIV/heartworm combo test
- FVRCP and FeLV initial vaccinations and boosters
- Rabies vaccination
- Treatment for intestinal parasites, fleas, and ear mites
- Microchip, including rescue-paid registration
21 Day Acclimation Period and Medical
Guarantee
We will provide you with as much guidance and support as you need during the acclimation time period. However, if it just isn’t working out, you can receive a full refund of the adoption fee if the cat is returned for any reason within the first 21 days.
We also support a healthy start with your newly adopted cat or kitten. If the cat has any health concerns within the first 21 days of adoption, we will provide treatment, including an exam with one of our partner veterinarians if appropriate. We will provide medicine for easy to treat issues such as kitty colds, and diagnostics and appropriate treatment for any other issues that may develop. Any cat or kitten found to have an illness or condition that was undiagnosed at the time of adoption may be returned for a complete refund within the first 21 days.
Refund requires the return of the complete original medical record provided to the adopter at the time of adoption. To arrange for a return, please email info@alleycatsandangels.org
Provided Throughout the Cat’s Life
- Free nail trims at our adoption events. We love when they come to visit and get a pedicure.
- Free behavioral assistance and advice from experienced cat owners for life.
The Adoption Process:
- Each potential adopter must complete an Adoption Application. You may list the cat(s) you are interested in adopting, or you may leave that item blank if you are not yet sure. Our adoption counselors are happy to play matchmaker.
- An adoption counselor will review your application for approval and contact you by phone to discuss your specific needs, any purrsonality traits you are seeking, and answer any questions. They evaluate each application to make sure that your life situation is the best fit for the cats and kittens in our program.
- You will be notified if your application is approved or declined. If approved, all key members of the household should meet and interact with the cat you are considering adopting. Your adoption counselor can help you schedule a meeting with the cat. How well the cats responds to your family at the Meet and Greet can affect the outcome of the process.
- On adoption day, please bring your license or ID, a carrier, and payment. The go home process may take between 30-60 minutes.. We accept cash (exact change) or card. No checks. Because all cats must be transported in a carrier, you must bring or purchase one that day. You will complete an adoption contract, receive medical records, and pay the adoption fee. We will also take an adoption day photo of you with your new family member!
Foster to Adopt
Alley Cats and Angels’ Foster to Adopt program is designed for our harder to adopt adult cats. Many adult cats quite simply don’t present themselves well when outside a home environment; some of the sweetest cats may growl, hiss, or even try to scratch at an adoption event or during a stay in the adoption center. All the people, other cats, multiple barking dogs, and a lot of noise can make events exceptionally stressful for adult cats. Some cats come into our adoption program as adults and have never been to an adoption event before and even a relatively calm event can be scary and confusing for them.
Through Alley Cats and Angels’ Foster to Adopt program, with an approved application and a home visit, the potential adopter will be able to foster the adult cat for a period of up to six weeks to make sure it is a good fit for everyone – the people and the cats. If the cat is not the right fit, the cat will be returned to Alley Cats and Angels. At the end of the foster to adopt period, if you wish to adopt the cat, our adoption counselors will complete the adoption process with you. Some of our adult cats have partially sponsored adoption fees.
As part of getting you started, we provide detailed instructions on how to introduce an adult cat to resident cats. All of our cats come with some personality and behavior information provided by their current and previous foster homes to help make the transition easier. And we are there for any and all questions you may have during the process. We want to make sure you have the information you need to make the foster to adopt process work for you and your chosen cat. While you are fostering, Alley Cats and Angels will cover any veterinary care at one of our partner vets.
If you are interested in fostering to adopt an adult cat, please complete an adoption application HERE , place in the notes that you are interested in fostering to adopt, and the cat’s name.