ANSWERS for Members of the Public »»
I want to adopt a rescue cat - where are my nearest
rescue centres?
The Cat Chat shelter pages cover the whole of the UK, with currently over 1,200
rescue centres and rehoming groups listed, including branches of the RSPCA, SSPCA, Cats Protection, Blue
Cross etc. plus hundreds of independent rescues. Go to our UK Rescue Listings, and choose your area from
the map.
I want to rescue a kitten - where do I go?
Most kittens are born during the period April to October, but in recent
years, litters have become more common during the colder months also.
Kittens
are very much in demand, so if there are none available at the time you
enquire,
ask the rescue to keep your name on file. To find out where your nearest
rescue centres are, go to our UK Rescue Listings, and choose your area from
the map.
For a list of rescues with 'kitten overload' click here »» Rescues with Kittens.
Kittens - why should I go to a rescue and not a pet shop? Kittens - why rescue and not buy?
I live in a flat
- can I still rescue a cat?
Yes, it is possible to adopt cats into an indoor environment. Although
a cat's natural instinct is to go outside, some cats can be better suited to
the indoor life: Cats with FIV, deaf cats, blind cats, nervous, shy or elderly
cats ('senior kittizens!), or even cats in care who have previously been used
to an indoor environment.
The indoor life can be enriched by providing toys, a scratching post, and a
flowerpot growing common garden grass, as a cat's digestion is aided by eating
a small amount of grass. Ask about suitable cats at your local rescue centre »» go to our UK Rescue Listings, and choose your area from
the map.
I need to rehome my cat - what should I do?
There are many different reasons why people decide to rehome their cat. Some
are sadly unavoidable, but in some cases rehoming is avoidable with a little
help and encouragement. We aim to give hope and advice to help with both
situations, please go to our »» Rehoming Advice Page.
I've lost / found a cat - what can I do?
If you have lost your cat, don’t panic too soon, cats often go ‘missing’ and
then arrive home late, or even the next morning, wondering what all the fuss
is about. If you believe your cat is lost, we have a page of advice and links
to help you maximise your chances of finding them as soon as possible, plus
advice on what to do if you have found a stray cat »» Lost & Found Advice page
Post details under the 'Lost or Found' heading on the »» Cat Chat Forum
I want to work with animals - how do I get started?
A good start is to volunteer to help at
a local rescue centre, they are always in need of willing
hands (Click Here to
find your nearest rescues). Volunteering will gain you
valuable experience and may
help you decide which area of animal
care you are interested in. Some of the larger rescues
may
even
have
paid vacancies, and organisations such as the Blue
Cross, PDSA and Battersea
Dogs Home post vacancies on
their
websites. It's also worth contacting veterinary
practices in your area to ask about any voluntary or
part time help
needed. Ask your local college if they run any animal studies
courses, or, there are home-study courses available,
which are easily located on the web. There is also a good website detaling various opportunities for animal work here: www.animaljobsdirect.com and here: www.charityjob.co.uk Also, check out
vacancies with any of the Animal Welfare organisations
listed on this page »» Animal Welfare Organisations
I want to volunteer to help at a Shelter- who do I ask?
Shelters and rescue groups are always pleased to hear
from anyone who can offer help. There are always lots
of things to be done, and helping out is very rewarding,
ans is agreat way to meet people. Most rescues need
drivers, home-visitors, foster carers, fundraisers, shop
assistants, stallholders, administrators,
builders, handymen, and of course willing
hands to feeding, fussing, and emptying litter trays! Start here »» UK Rescue Centres
I'd like to become a Cat Fosterer - what do I need to know?
Many rescue groups and branches of rescue organisations rely greatly on foster homes, to care for cats whilst they are 'between homes', and are always pleased to hear
from new potential fosterers. Most rescues have a waiting list of cats needing to come into care, so one extra foster home can make the world of difference! Our information page explains all about the role of fostering, and what you need to know »» Cat Fostering
I want to volunteer to help Cat Chat - what should I do?
Over the years, demand for our web-based services to Rescue Centres have increased dramatically, and our Virtual Volunteers are now a vital part of our operation. Please Note, Cat Chat is solely web-based - our volunteers work FOR cats, and not with them.
Current volunteer opportunities appear on our »» Volunteers Page
I can't afford to neuter my cat - what help can
I get?
For many people, neutering their pets is simply too expensive, but help is
available. If you are receiving benefit, are a pensioner, or are on a low income,
you should be eligible for a neutering voucher, which covers part of the cost,
and in some cases all of the cost. Most Cats Protection and RSPCA branches issue neutering vouchers, and many independent rscues also can offer neutering assistance.
To locate your nearest CP or RSPCA branch, go to our »» Rescue Listings
How to get Low Cost and Subsidised Neutering »» Low Cost Neutering Info
Or, here: PDSA | Blue
Cross | RSPCA | Cats Protection
My cat is spraying / urinating around the house - what
can I do?
Check out our advice page »» Inappropriate Toileting and Spraying
Also, the Feline Advisory bureau's advice page »» Soiling / Spraying
Also, check out the information on Feliway »» www.feliway.uk.com
Post your enquiry under 'Health & Behaviour' here »» Cat Chat Forum
Or post your enquiry onto the Vet Pro forums »» www.vetpro.co.uk
Or, try these: APBC | Cats
Protection | AIM | WoodGreen | FAB | Waltham
My cat is scratching / clawing furniture - what can I
do?
Check out the Feline Advisory bureau's advice page»» Scratching / Clawing
Also, check out the information on Feliway »» www.feliway.uk.com
Post your enquiry under 'Health & Behaviour' here »» Cat Chat Forum
Or post your enquiry onto the Vet Pro forums »» www.vetpro.co.uk
Or, try these: APBC | Cats
Protection | AIM | WoodGreen | FAB | Waltham
Other cat health / behaviour problem?
Check out the
Cat Health & Care advice sites
here
»» Health & Care Links
Or email Cat Chat's behavioural adviser: 
Or email Cat Chat's veterinary adviser: 
Post your enquiry under 'Health & Behaviour' here »» Cat Chat Forum
Or post your enquiry onto the Vet Pro forums »» www.vetpro.co.uk
Or, try these: APBC |
Cats Protection |
AIM | WoodGreen |
FAB | Waltham
F.I.V. - What is FIV and how concerned should I be?
There are a lot of myths surrounding the F.I.V. virus, which continue despite the amount of research in recent years. Many cats are needlessly put to sleep each year on testing positive for this virus, when in fact the cat would in all probability have gone on to live a normal lifespan. If your cat has been diagnosed FIV+, or you are considering adopting an FIV cat, find out more on our information page: »» F.I.V. Information
Or ask other FIV cat owners on the 'FIV Owners Club' here »» Cat Chat Forum
How can I make a donation to Cat Chat?
The Cat Chat Charity currently finds homes for over 5,000 rescued cats each year, from all kinds of shelters and rescue groups across the UK. Our services are provided to them free of charge. We receive no secure funding, and public donations are vital in helping
us maintain this service, and to continue to help more cats out of shelters and into homes.
Credit Cards » To donate by credit card, securely via Paypal »» Donations Page.
Paypal » If you have a Paypal account you can donate directly from your Paypal account to ours. Simply log into your Paypal account, click on Send Money, and send to the following account ID: cats@catchat.org, go to: www.paypal.com
Cheques » Please make cheques out to 'CAT CHAT' and send to: Cat Chat,
PO Box 358, Ramsgate, Kent,
CT12 6YP. (a receipt can be sent on request). If you are a taxpayer, we can also reclaim the tax on your donation if you send us a »» GiftAid Declaration (PDF)
Thank you for your support!
ANSWERS for Rescue and Rehoming Centres »»
How can we get our rescue group listed on Cat
Chat?
If your rescue and rehoming group is not yet listed on our shelters database,
you could be missing out on lots of potential new homes. We currently have
over 1,100 UK rescues listed, including branches of national rescue charities,
and a multitude of independent rescues of all sizes. If you would like to be
added to our listings, simply complete our online form as follows »» Rescue Listing Form
How can we get our listing amended?
If you would like us to amend, or expand, your listing on the shelters database,
you can send further details using our on-line form, stating that you wish to have
an existing listing amended »» Get Your Listing Amended
How can we get a free rehoming web page?
Cat Chat's rehoming web pages are free to all UK rescue groups and shelters,
and is an important part of what our charity is set up to do. You don't need
to be a registered charity, these pages are available to all rescue groups.
If your rescue group doesn't currently use the internet to feature cats seeking
homes, you are missing out on many potential new homes, as an increasing
number of people are using the web as a first step to adopting a rescue
cat. Cat Chat aims to give every rescue group in the UK, large or small,
the opportunity to benefit from this valuable rehoming resource. For full
details »» Free Re-homing Web Pages.
Can we get help updating our Homing Page?
Yes. If you would like help making entries to your rescue's Homing Page, either by adding your photos, or help with entries in general, email your request us as follows, stating the name of your rescue, to: 
How can we get a cat listed on the Top Cats 'seeking homes'
section?
Our Top
Cats ('cats seeking homes') section is
designed to give a helping paw to those cats in care
who are having a hard time finding a new home. Elderly
cats,
shy or nervous cats, cats with special needs or cats
who have simply been overlooked for too long. Rescues can send us a cat's details and photo for inclusion using our on-line form »» List a Cat on Top Cats or send the details by email to: 
FIV+
positive cats - can we get FIV+ cats listed for homing?
Yes, absolutely! Cat Chat is trying hard to dispell some of the myths about this
virus, and to help as many healthy FIV+s as we can to have the chance at a normal,
happy life.
We have homed many FIV cats through our Top Cats page, just
use our on-line
form
to send us their details
and
photograph (if available). Please mention under 'any special needs' that
they are FIV positive »» List an FIV cat on Top Cats Section
Or get your own free homing page on Cat Chat »» Free Re-homing Web Pages
Post details under 'Rescue & Rehoming' or 'FIV Owners Club' on the »» Cat Chat Forum
