Frequently Asked Questions

General

Does Alley Cats and Angels have a shelter where I can visit all the cats?

Alley Cats and Angels is a foster home based rescue and does not operate a shelter. We do not believe it’s in the best interest of cats to be kept in cages, except during a short stay in the Petsmart adoption center or at adoption events. We believe cats make better family members, are more adoptable, and much better socialized when integrated with a family prior to adoption. This also give us the ability to more thoroughly speak to temperament, behavior, habits, and other information that is important when making an adoption decision.

We hold multiple adoption events monthly (typically every weekend except on holiday weekends) typically at the Knightdale Petsmart and Morrisville Petsmart. Our cats also stay in the Knightdale Petsmart adoption center every day of the month (cats are rotated through the center) and in the Morrisville Petsmart two weeks of each month. Refer to our events page for information on when cats will be in the centers and our scheduled adoption events.

I called or emailed a day ago and no one has gotten back in touch with me yet.

Alley Cats and Angels is an all-volunteer organization, with the majority of our volunteers and board members working full-time jobs in addition to rescue. We do not always have immediate access to email or voicemail. We work hard to try to return emails within 2 days, but try as we might, we simply cannot always return all phone calls; this is why we recommend contacting us via email.

Does Alley Cats and Angels accept donations?

Absolutely! Alley Cats and Angels operates solely on donations and from fund raised from various fundraising events throughout the year, we do not receive any government funding.

Barn/Garden Cat Program

Can I adopt a cat from the adoption program as a barn cat?

No, our adoption program cats are adopted to indoor homes only. The cats needing placement in barn/garden homes are friendly cats with litter box issues or semi-feral or feral cats who need relocation because their current environment is dangerous.

Do I have to have an actual barn to get a barn/garden cat?

No, as long as you have a suitable building to set up the relocation/confinement and provide shelter for the cat.

How do I get a barn/garden cat?

We have a barn/garden cat application form. The application is important as it helps us determine which cats are the best fit for your location.  LEARN MORE

Do you have kittens in the barn/garden cat program?

No, Alley Cats and Angels works to socialize kittens from feral colonies and places them in our adoption program. In addition, kittens do not work well in barn/garden homes due to predators.

Why must cats be relocated in a set of two or more?

Cats are social creatures – even feral cats. When cats are relocated with a cat buddy they know, the chances of the cats staying at the relocation site are very high. If the cats are separated and relocated separately (one cat per location), statistically it has been proven that the cats seldom stick around.

The exception is the “outcast” cat in a colony or a cat that has been living on its own.  Or the friendly cat that must have an alternative home due to behavioral issues.

Why is the confinement period necessary?

Cats need to be confined initially in their new home for at least two to three weeks in order to familiarize the cats with their new environment, so that they will remain on the premises. Even though there are instances of cats remaining when they have escaped upon arrival, this is rare and most cats will take off, never to be seen again. Some people see confinement as cruel, but a short confinement period is a very necessary part of the relocation project. Not confining the cats and having them run off could mean a far worse fate for the cats. During the first day or two, the cats may struggle to find a way out.  Most cats settle down in the cage after a day or two when they realize that no harm will befall them.

Can you take the cats in that are on the wait list for barn homes?

Alley Cats and Angels is a foster home based rescue, we do not have a facility or the resources to house feral cats while they are waiting for barn homes.

Feral Cat/TNR Education and Assistance Program

What does the program do?
  • We teach individuals interested in caring for feral cats how to care for them, including TNR (trap-neuter-RETURN) and full colony management
  • We loan out traps for trap-neuter-return
  • We can assist with the trapping and transporting to spay/neuter clinics/appointments in some circumstances (physical disability of caregiver, etc).
I don’t want the feral cats behind my house/business, will you come get them?

In short, no.  Alley Cats and Angels does not relocate feral cats except in extreme instances and then it is done through our Barn/Garden Cat program.

Because of the loss of environment due to construction, many feral cats are losing their homes because it is dangerous for them to stay at that location; therefore, Alley Cats and Angels typically has at least 50-60 cats on our waitlist for barn homes at any given time.

Once the cats have been spayed/neutered, most fighting and territory behavioral (such as spraying, etc.) will greatly decrease.

 

Spay/Neuter Assistance Program

Where can I get the feral cats that I care for spayed/neutered?

See our list of local low-cost spay/neuter options. Please note that most clinics require that the feral cat come to their appointment in a humane trap – this is for the safety of both the cat and the vet/clinic staff.

I’m on a limited income and I can’t afford to get my pet cat spayed/neutered and vaccinated, what are my options?

Refer to the list of local low-cost spay/neuter options on our website.

In addition, Alley Cats and Angels’ Alter an Alley Cat Spay/Neuter Assistance Program may be able to help you.  We have spay/neuter vouchers for sale for $70 – these vouchers are accepted by several local vets and cover the cost of the spay/neuter surgery, distemper vaccination, and rabies vaccination.

If you cannot afford $70, we do subsidize vouchers as funds are available.  To apply for a subsidized voucher, a spay/neuter assistance request form must be completed.

My voucher expired, what do I do?

Expired vouchers are non-redeemable.  Our spay/neuter assistance vouchers are valid for 60 days from date of issue, except in the most extreme situations, 60 days is enough time to get the cat into one of our participating vets for spay/neuter.  Alley Cats and Angels does not refund voucher fees if you let your voucher expire.

Adoption Program

What is the benefit of adopting a cat from a foster home based rescue?

The cats and kittens in our adoption program live in foster homes. This means we get to know the cats and their habits – in a home environment – really well.  We can typically tell you if they are lap cats or just want to sit next to you at night. If they like sleeping with you, how well they use their scratching posts, etc.

What is the process for adopting a cat/kitten from Alley Cats and Angels?

Our adoption process is easy to navigate.  It is a thorough process because our goal is to match cats with their forever homes.  The first step in the process is to complete an adoption application.  An adoption counselor will review your application and speak with you the cats you are interested in.  We want to find the right match for you and for the cat.  In most cases, you can take the cat home the same day.

After you’ve found your purrfect partner, the adoption counselor will review the cat’s medical history and record and go over the adoption contract.  We will also go over some informational/reference materials including how to introduce cats to other animals in your home and other materials to help with the transition into a new environment.  We will also show you how to clip claws and answer any additional questions you may have.  We can also help you shop for your new cat.

In order to adopt from Alley Cats and Angels:

  • You must be 21 years of age or older
  • You must show valid photo ID showing your present address
  • You must be able to prove that you are allowed to have a pet where you live (proof of home ownership or a copy of your rental lease including the specific pet policy)
  • You must be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment and proper care for a pet for the entire life of that animal
  • You will be asked to provide veterinary references
  • All current pets (cats, dogs) must be current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered
What are the adoption fees?

The adoption fees for our cats and kittens are:

  • $125 per cat/kitten
  • $210 for a pair of cats/kittens
What does the adoption fee cover?

All cats and kittens for adoption have received the following medical care:

  • Wellness exam
  • Spay or neuter surgery
  • Tested for FeLV/FIV
  • FVRCP initial vaccination and booster(s)
  • FeLV initial vaccination and booster
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Treated for intestinal parasites, fleas, and ear mites
  • Microchipped Home Again microchips with rescue paid registration

The value of the above medical care is over $350.  Every penny of your adoption fee is money well spent on the high quality of care that each of our cats receive.  

Why do the cats need to go home in a carrier?

For the safety of the cat, all adopted cats must go home in a safe carrier.  Adopters will need to bring a carrier or purchase a carrier at time of adoption. For the safety of the cats, disposable cardboard carriers are not allowed.

I’m not sure that is the perfect cat for me, will you hold it until I decide?

We are unable to hold cats for potential adopters.  It is our policy not to hold cats so they have the best opportunity for adoption.

Does Alley Cats and Angels offer advice or consultant concerning the cat I adopted?

Absolutely!  Please email us at info@alleycatsandangels.org and one of our counselors will contact you in a timely manner.

How can I meet a cat/kitten that I saw on the website, Petfinder, or Facebook?

Alley Cats and Angels holds adoption events every weekend at local Petsmart stores.  We post the dates and locations on our website weekly.  We also post a list of the cats that will be at each event on our Facebook page on Fridays before adoption events.

You can also arrange to meet a cat or kitten at their foster home.  However, this arrangement does require an approved application as our foster parents are opening their homes to people they don’t know for meet and greets.

How young of a kitten can I adopt?

Alley Cats and Angels does not adopt out cats until they are fully vetted – including spay/neuter, FVRCP+FeLV vaccinations and boosters, and rabies vaccinations.  Cats cannot be rabies vaccinated until they are 12-14 weeks old and should receive FVRCP booster vaccination around 13-14 weeks of age.

We do have a foster-to-adopt option in which approved adopters can foster a younger kitten they are wanting to adopt until it is fully vetted and ready to be adopted.

The cat I was interested in has already been adopted, but it was never at an adoption event.  How does that work?

Approximately 25% of our cats/kittens are pending adoption before they ever make it to an adoption event.  This is because someone has seen their picture and write-up on Facebook and submitted an application and met the cat in their foster home.

I adopted a cat from Alley Cats and Angels and my situation has changed and I can’t keep the cat, what do I do?

Alley Cats and Angels makes a lifetime commitment to the cats in our program.  Should you be unable to keep a cat that was adopted from Alley Cats and Angels, we will take that cat back at any time.