• Allergies: If a member of the household becomes allergic to cats, or if a new partner is allergic, many people assume the only solution is to rehome the cat. This is not necessarily so. Some people may develop allergic symptoms when living with a cat for the first time, but find that after a few weeks their symptoms subside, and often disappear altogether once their system is used to being in contact with the particles of allergen. Reduce risk of reaction by making sure the cat is regularly de-flea’d, don't groom puss inside the house, and it can even help if you wipe a damp cloth over the carpet after vacuuming, and even over the cat! There is also a pet cleanser on the market, called 'PetalCleanse', which neutralises the allergen. This product is approved by the British Allergy Foundation and is available in independent chemists and pet shops, Boots and larger Tesco stores, or for more information, call the Pet Allergy Helpline: 01608 686626 or visit: www.biolife-international.co.uk

• Behavioural Problems: Many common behavioural problems can be exasperating if the cause is not apparent. Sometimes this can lead to people feeling that the problem is insurmountable and that rehoming is the only solution. These pages may help:
  Cat Chat information page » Inappropriate Toileting / Spraying
  The Feline Advisory Bureau advice pages:
  Spraying/Soiling indoors | Scratching/ clawing indoors | Aggressive/Nervous cats
  If you have a query about a behavioural issue not covered by the above, Cat Chat's behavioural adviser may be able to offer advice:
  Email Cat Chat's behavioural adviser: (please give as much relevant information as possible)

• Pregnancy: The risk of toxoplasmosis contracted from animal faeces during pregnancy is still a major reason why many cats are put up for rehoming. The British Medical Journal largely disputed this as an old wives tale, when a study proved that inadequately cooked or cured meat is the main risk factor for infection with toxoplasmosis. Contact with cats’ faeces was found to be a very low risk factor. The basic rules of hygiene should naturally be observed, and to be absolutely safe, rubber gloves should be worn when cleaning litter trays, or get a non-pregnant member of the household to do the litter duty! Keep the cat's vaccinations up to date, and ensure they are regularly de-wormed and de-flea’d. For further advice, call the CP helpline: 08702 099 099

• New Baby in the House: If simple sensible precautions are taken, there is no need to consider rehoming purely due to the arrival of a baby. And indeed, having a cat (or dog) in the family can be of immense benefit to the child's development, allowing them to form an early bond with an animal, learning to respect and care for them, and quite possibly laying the foundations of a lifelong love for animals. Also, clinical studies have shown that living with pets during the first year of life can build up a child’s antibodies leading to a reduced risk of asthma and allergies. Take precautions such as: closing the nursery door when baby is on her own, keep litter trays out of reach of babies at the crawling and toddling stage, keep baby food and pet food separate, clean litter trays regularly and always wash your hands, ensure puss's vaccinations are current and that they are regularly de-wormed and de-flea’d. For further advice, call the CP helpline: 08702 099 099

• Emigration: If you are emigrating abroad, you may still be able to take your cat with you. If the cat is elderly or ill in any way, you may consider the journey might be too much for them, and decide rehoming would be the best option. But, if they are in good health and you would like to take them with you, you can get advice and information from DEFRA by Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Or, on their website: www.defra.gov.uk For further information on taking pets abroad, try: www.jetsetpets.co.uk or www.airpets.com or www.petsandtravel.co.uk. There is also a Pets Travel Scheme Helpline: 0870 241 1710

If rehoming is the only practical solution...

• Rescue & Rehoming Centres - always our preferred option for rehoming. There are a huge number of shelters, rescue centres and independent rehoming groups all over the UK, so there will almost certainly be more than one that covers your area. Our database of rehoming groups and shelters covers the whole of the UK, just click the following link and choose your area from the map: UK Shelter Listings. Going through a rehoming centre is good for two very important reasons: Firstly, they help animals because they love them and have their best interests at heart. Secondly, a rescue will do their utmost to ensure their cats go somewhere suited to their individual needs and personality, either by carrying out a home-visit or by a thorough ‘interview and matching’ process - some rescues do both. In this way, you have some confidence that they will go to a good, loving home, chosen to match their needs. N.B. It is always a good idea to check with the rescue that they have a 'non destruction policy' before signing the cat over to them.
  Direct Rehoming - If you are able to keep your cat until a home is found, you could ask a rescue to help you with a 'Direct Rehoming' rather than them taking him into their care. Many rescue centres have a waiting list of cats needing to come in, so they might not have a space to accommodate your cat straight away, so Direct Rehoming can often be a prefereble route for the rescue too. This can also mean less stress for the cat, as he will only have to 'move house' once. Find out about Direct Rehoming here »» Direct Homing Information

• Rehoming Pedigrees: There are specialist rehoming groups for pedigrees, most specialising in particular breeds. For details of the pedigree rescues on our shelter listings (listed alphabetically by breed), click this link: Pedigree Rescues. Or, the Governing Council of Cat Fancy lists regional welfare officers for rehoming pedigrees on their web page as follows: GCCF Welfare. Most pedigree rescues, will organise 'Direct Rehoming' fo you, which is where the rescue will source the home for you, but you keep the cat until the home is found - rather than have them taken into rescue. More about Direct Rehoming here »» Direct Homing Information

• NB: Our preferred option would always be to go through a rescue and rehoming centre as detailed above, however if that is not possible:
  Friends / Family / Close Work Colleagues: Try asking around people you know and trust, friends, relatives, or close work colleagues. You never know until you ask, don't assume the answer will be no. You may find that even if they cannot take the cat themselves, they may start thinking of people they know and trust who might consider adopting a new cat. Speak to any prospective new owners first to find out if they are serious, that they realise it's a long term commitment, and aren't just adopting 'on a whim'.
  Some points to consider:
  1. A good idea is to ask your local RSPCA or Cats Protection branch to do a 'home-visit' to assess the suitability of the prospective new owners and their home.
  2. If you decide to do the home visit yourself, never go alone, however sure you are.
  3. The new home should not be close to their old home. Cats are known to travel great distances to try and go back to their old home, therefore running the risk of getting lost or run over on the road.
  4. If the new home is quite close, the cat should be kept indoors for the first 4 weeks, to reinforce it as being 'home' and prevent it from straying back to the old house.

WARNING: 'Free to a Good Home' - PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!

• Please don't be tempted to put a general advert in your local paper or on classified ad websites along the lines of 'free to a good home' as we have heard of cats being collected after responding to adverts such as this, where the outcome has been less than pleasant. Suffice to say they did not end up in safe, loving homes! Apart from the high risk factor, some people who are simply after a free cat, will not necessarily be in a position to cover any other expenses such as veterinary bills. It is much safer to go through a Rescue and Rehoming centre, as detailed above.
• Or, visit this excellent forum network set up to help 'Free to Good Home' pets, either by finding a rescue placement for them, or by arranging 'direct rehomings' including a homecheck for any person offering a new home to your pet. Their aim is to prevent animals changing hands unchecked, and so preventing your beloved pet falling into the wrong hands: www.freetogoodhomeforum.co.uk

Other useful contacts:

• National RSPCA Helpline - 0300 1234 555
• National Cats Protection Helpline: 08702 099 099
• Cat Chat's Feline Forum (for advice and support): »» Feline Forum
• Animal Lifeline UK - (for rehoming support): »» www.forum.animallifelineuk.org