Cat Action Trust 1977

Ayrshire Branch

looking for homes...

why adopt a rescued cat or kitten?

Every year in the UK, millions of companion animals - cats, dogs, rabbits, horses - are euthanised because someone deemed them 'unwanted'. An animal bought as a Christmas present and now no longer 'cute', a litter of kittens born to a domestic or abandoned mother and unable to find homes, a dog whose daily walks have simply become a 'chore' for the humans who bought him... We do not believe that any animal should be deemed 'unwanted' for any of these - or any other - reasons.

That is why we encourage people to adopt a rescued companion animal rather than support a pet industry that thrives on breeding and selling particular breeds of animals at the expense of the millions of cats and dogs who are already alive and facing a lonely death for no reason other than being 'surplus to human requirements'. This is never a reason to kill an animal.

Please consider giving an abandoned, abused or 'unwanted' cat or kitten a happy life.

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adopting a rescued cat or kitten

We always have cats and kittens looking for new loving homes.

For more information on any of the cats and kittens who are currently looking for new homes, please contact us. Thank you!

Below are some of the cats who are looking for new loving homes:

Lola

Age: Young adult Sex: female / Colour: black /Date added: 5th October 2008

Her story: Lola was found in July in a garden shelter with her 2-day-old kitten. It is very unusual for a young cat to give birth to just one kitten and, we believe that Lola was not able to properly nurture her young, as, tragically, this one little kitten was very weak and died before we got to the vet. The kind person who was feeding her said that Lola had been taken in by a neighbour but had been put outside again and, also, that she had had other litters that hadn't survived. In other words, life was pretty rotten from where Lola was sitting.
At first, Lola was inclined to aim the very odd fistful of little jaggy claws at her foster carers, Linda and Irene - a quite understandable defence mechanism, considering all that she had been through. It soon became obvious, though, that Lola wasn't objecting to being stroked, but was rather annoyed when it looked as if it might stop and was trying to bring Linda's hand back into 'pet me' position! Now, Lola lists amongst her many hobbies cuddling right inside auntie Linda's fleecy top for a wee cuddle and a snooze. Her confidence in people now reinstated, Lola is seeking a kind and understanding home to call her very own. We suspect Lola had had a very negative experience of living with children so it would be best if she were homed with adults.

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Felix and Daisy

Age: 9 weeks / Sex: male and female / Colour: black &white (m) and tabby (f) / Date added: 5th October 2008

Their story: Siblings Daisy and Felix are were bought in a pet shop by a very concerned member of the public when they would be no more than 5 weeks old - far too young to be leaving their mother. They then came into our care and, a few days later, little Daisy became quite ill and had to be treated by the emergency vet as her temperature was dangerously high. Now totally recovered, Daisy and her (very naughty!) brother Felix are looking for a home together. They are very confident, well handled kittens who would do well with a family that included children. Please understand, though, that our policy is to avoid homing such young kittens where there are children under the age of five years. Daisy and Felix have many hobbies, including kick boxing, napping, grabbing other folks' tails, eating, mountaineering, napping, hide and seek, eating...

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Bandit

Age: 3 years / Sex: male / Colour: black & white / Date added: 1st June 2008

His story: Bandit and his brother Smokey, through no fault of their own, were no longer wanted by their owner. These two boys are about 3 years old now and have been together their whole lives. However, although they do get along well together, they aren't particularly close and so could be homed separately. They are lovely natured boys who love to explore outside. 

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Lizzie and Ruth

Age: 18 - 24 months/ Sex: female / Colour: black & white / black Date added: 1st June 2008

Their story: Lizzie is a black and white girl who came from the same situation as Amber along with her (then) five month old kittens. She is now spayed and is looking for a home together with Ruth, who is probably her sister. When first brought in, Lizzie was terrified but never once tried to bite or scratch me when I reached into her hiding place to pet her. Now, she loves to be stroked and lets me pick her up for a cuddle.
 
The black cat is Lizzie's sister Ruth, also about 18-24 months. I believe these two girls brought their kittens up together in a back garden after being 'discarded' by their owner. Between them, Lizzie and Ruth were looking after six kittens aged between 4 and 5 months old. All the kittens have now been homed. Ruth and Lizzie are very close and we would love to find them a home together.

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Ralph

Age: young adult / Sex: male / Colour: black / Date added: 5th October 2008

His story: We think that Ralph was abandoned by his former people, as he simply turned up one day in someone's garden and, despite efforts to trace his owner, no one ever did claim this sweet boy. We think Ralph has had a bit of a tough time, and at first he was a little hesitant at times, but having been with us for a few weeks he now realises that no more harm will come to him and he has relaxed much more around people. Ralph would settle well in a calm household without young children, and he gets on very well with other cats.

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our adoption policy

Our procedure for homing is fairly straightforward. First of all, we chat on the phone to the potential adopters and, all being well, we arrange to visit them. There are many reasons why this is a good idea. Firstly, we have to be as sure as possible that this is a genuine offer of a permanent home from people who have given the idea a lot of thought. Secondly, meeting the family, which may include other animals, helps us determine which of our little charges is best suited to everyone’s needs. For instance, an adventurous, confident, cat would fit in well with a boisterous family whilst a quieter little personality would be happier placed with quieter people. Should we receive a request from someone just too far away to be visited, we ask for a vet’s reference instead.

Anyone adopting a cat or kitten from us is required to fill in a Homing Form. This form gives details of the cat or kitten, including when s/he was spayed or neutered (if old enough when adopted), or when this should be done. It also advises on when vaccinations can be given, how long it may be necessary to keep the cat or kitten indoors to allow it to settle and outlines our right to remove the cat or kitten if we are concerned over his or her welfare.

Obviously, being based in Ayrshire, we can’t home cats or kittens too far afield. Having said that, we have homed all over Scotland, with one little kitten being flown by helicopter to her new home in the Highlands.  One very elusive feral cat, who had spent her life living in a car park in Ayr, was flown out to Canada to join the family who had fed her for years. But that’s another tale, to be elaborated on in our archive stories one day soon…….

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