“Kittens To Good Homes” – How To Find A Good Forever Home For Your Kittens

Looking for a home for your kittens might seem straightforward at first, especially when you hear phrases like, "Just one litter; we've got homes for all the kittens!" However, those involved in animal rescue work can attest to the challenges of finding not just any home, but a forever, loving one.

Securing a safe and caring environment for your kittens is no small task. In this journey, we'll delve into the world of cat adoption, shedding light on its complexities, rewards, and hardships. We'll also deepen our understanding of responsible pet guardianship.

Join us as we navigate this terrain and gain fresh insight into the lives of our beloved feline friends.

Responsibility Of Rehoming: More Than Just Finding A Home For Your Kittens

When it comes to finding a home for your kittens, whether they're born to your own cat, a fostered pregnant feline, or rescued from various circumstances, it's crucial to ensure they land in good homes.

woman playing with grey kitten Forever Home For Your Kittens

These are homes where their physical and emotional needs are fully met, where they're treated as cherished family members, not subjected to abuse, declawing, or abandonment.

The Reality Of Kitten Adoption: Beyond The Cuteness

Yes, everyone adores playing with cute kittens.

But it's your responsibility to ensure the adopting family is committed to handling less pleasant situations, like potential health or behavior issues, that may arise over time.

Animal Shelters: The Unsung Heroes Of Pet Adoption

Animal shelters are the real pros at screening potential adopters, a fact that sometimes draws criticism.

Some people expect shelters to be grateful to anyone who walks in wanting to adopt a pet.

The Adoption Process: A Necessary Hurdle For Finding A Home For Your Kittens

But a good shelter will require potential adopters to fill out forms, undergo thorough interviews, and pay an adoption fee.

pet adoption application form Forever Home For Your Kittens

It may seem ungrateful or even greedy, but this process is designed to maximize the chances of the cat finding a truly good home - a home that will be their last.

The Art Of Screening Potential Adopters: Ensuring The Right Fit

When you're looking to find a home for your kittens, it's essential to thoroughly vet those who respond to your ads.

This isn't just about ensuring they're who they claim to be, but also about protecting the cats from potential harm.

The Importance Of ID Verification In Pet Adoption

Ask for IDs and note down the details. Ensure that the potential adopters are over 21.

Engage them in a phone conversation, listen more than you talk, and try to gauge their intentions before inviting them to meet the kittens.

Why Charging A Fee for Adoption Matters

Never advertise your kittens as "free". Always charge a fee. If this feels too mercenary, consider donating the proceeds to a charity.

The act of paying is a way to ensure a level of commitment and filter out those who might have malicious intentions.

handing over US Dollar bills

The Power Of Pre-Adoption Conversations

Try to ask as much as you can over the phone first. Use the suggested questions below before you even invite them over.

If they think you're asking too many questions, explain that you're trying to find a good home for the kitten, not just any home. Genuine adopters will appreciate your diligence.

Safety First: Meeting Potential Adopters

For your own safety, don’t invite strangers into your house before you've had extensive conversations and assessed their sincerity and commitment.

When they do visit, ensure you have someone else at home with you.

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What To Ask Potential Adopters

If you want to make sure that the kittens indeed go to good homes, here are a few things to check with your potential adopters.

Whether they've just replied to your newspaper ad, or happen to be your beloved auntie –

Are You Able To Commit To The Care Of The Kitten Throughout Their Life?

Your potential adopters need to understand that the cat will be their responsibility, come rain or shine, for decades to come.

gray kitten staring out of the front of its kennel

Ask them what would happen to the cat if, for some reason, they could no longer take care of them.

Who Lives In Your Household, And Do They All Want To Have A Cat Join Them?

Never adopt a kitten out to a family where one of the family members objects to having a cat. No, it will not work out over time.

The cat is more likely to be shown the door as soon as a problem comes up if someone living in the house never wanted them there in the first place.

This is also a good time to make sure that no one in the household is allergic to cats.

Do You Realize The Costs Involved In Keeping A Cat, And Can You Afford It?

Be direct and talk about the costs of quality pet food, vet care (and insurance), cat litter, and all that jazz.

They need to know about it now and they need to make sure that they will be able to afford it on their current salaries and also future ones.

Sad as it is, people who don't enjoy financial stability are not good candidates for adopting a cat.

Have You Owned Cats Before? If So, What Happened To Them?

Being a past owner can be a benefit. That person is more likely to realize what caring for a cat involves.

little kittens walking on colorful dress on bed

However, if they end up telling you that they've had ten different cats over the past five years and none of them stayed there for long, you should probably keep looking for a different home.

If they do have or have recently had cats, ask about their veterinarian and ask for permission to call them for references.

Are You Prepared To Accept A Cat As Being A Cat?

This would be a good time to discuss things like hair shedding, chewing and scratching, scratching of furniture, and jumping on counters.

Explain that there are solutions to these problems, but that owners have to put in time and energy towards them.

Are You Committed To Spaying/Neutering The Kitten When It's Time?

Read more about why cats ought to be spayed and neutered here. Better still, type out that article and hand it over to your potential adopters.

In our opinion, it's best to actually have the kitten neutered while he or she is still in your household.

If they are too young, then make sure that it will be done as soon as possible by the people adopting them.

A kitten with a funnel cone post-surgery

If need be, make them sign a contract to do so, and ask them to place a deposit with you, which will be given by you directly to the vet at the time of neutering.

Are You Committed To Keeping The Cat's Claws Intact?

Never give the kitten away to someone who would amputate their toes.

You can read more about declawing and why it should never be performed in the following articles:

Declawing - More than Just a Manicure

Declawing and Alternatives

Where Will You Be Keeping The Cat? Will They Be Indoors Only?

Make sure that the potential adopters realize the risks involved in letting a cat out where they live.

If they live in an urban environment or where the risks outdoors are too high, make sure they know how to keep their cats indoors, safe and happy.

"Is There Anything Else You Wish To Tell Me?"

Let them do some talking. Let them bring up any problems or issues now.

It may seem like a lot of questions, but it's never enough when a kitten's future is at stake. Your role is to ensure they find the right home now when they have the best chance.

Happy preteen girl and her mother standing in shelter for abandoned animals

Keep track of the adoption with scheduled follow-ups and be prepared for hard work. It's not always pleasant, but it's necessary.

If you find fulfillment in this process, consider volunteering at a local shelter. They'll appreciate the help.

The Rewarding Journey Of Finding A Home For Your Kittens: Final Thoughts

If you find yourself in a position where you need to find a home for your kittens, I hope this article has been both informative and empowering.

While the task may seem daunting, remember that it's entirely achievable. And when done right, the reward is immense.

You'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've done everything in your power to secure a bright future for a deserving animal.

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16 comments on ““Kittens To Good Homes” – How To Find A Good Forever Home For Your Kittens

Jennifer Mort July 17, 2023
I love that I'm not the only one who cares about where their babies are going (I really don't want to let them go). Yes, I wanna know names, address, copy of their id is nice too. Thanks for caring about our furry feline friends.
    Cindy Wright August 10, 2023
    Same! Mine are 9 weeks old, 4 kittens, I'm grateful for this article, its very comforting & helpful. I'll be doing my screening when they're at the 12 week stage. I'd rather see who's going to be their forever home than putting them in care or cage elsewhere wondering what care they're getting and what home they went to.
tarasgirl06 March 8, 2019
Flchristi said:
Very informative. Although I advocate for shelter animals and have seen and heard the sad stories mostly because of not spaying and neutering animals along with rehoming I still got an eye opener from this article. I recently brought in two kittens that were from different people. Neither were altered. While waiting for their spay neuter appointment the female went into heat(ugh). Dispite my attempts to keep them seperated they did get too close and I now have a pregnant cat. So much for the male was too young to sire. Luckily I have an emergency fund and will use it to alter mom and kittens after nursing. I will definitely take the tip and printout the suggested information to give to potential adopters while waiting delivery and alter. This article helped me feel both confident yet wisely nervous about this process ahead of me. Thank you
*PRAYERS* and best thoughts for the queen and her little family-to-be! and for you, too.
    Kathy Hamon September 28, 2022
    Good bless you. I have 15 kittens and their feral momma’s. I am 64 and I can’t care for them like they deserve our Lake Isabella Ca. Don’t take cats I want to see them healthy and safe, please help me if you can
Flchristi March 8, 2019
Very informative. Although I advocate for shelter animals and have seen and heard the sad stories mostly because of not spaying and neutering animals along with rehoming I still got an eye opener from this article. I recently brought in two kittens that were from different people. Neither were altered. While waiting for their spay neuter appointment the female went into heat(ugh). Dispite my attempts to keep them seperated they did get too close and I now have a pregnant cat. So much for the male was too young to sire. Luckily I have an emergency fund and will use it to alter mom and kittens after nursing. I will definitely take the tip and printout the suggested information to give to potential adopters while waiting delivery and alter. This article helped me feel both confident yet wisely nervous about this process ahead of me. Thank you
tarasgirl06 October 22, 2018
miraclecats said:
This is a very helpful article. A friend of mine just took in a pregnant stray cat and has to find homes for the kittens when they come. Is there a way I can link this on Facebook to them?
Just copy the URL and paste it on their page.
tarasgirl06 October 22, 2018
I was all ready to jump in with additions, but you have covered the most important points very well. Thanking you.
miraclecats June 12, 2018
This is a very helpful article. A friend of mine just took in a pregnant stray cat and has to find homes for the kittens when they come. Is there a way I can link this on Facebook to them?
CHATTY KATTY HOME December 20, 2017
lol not trying to take up to much comment space, but it was funny when I was back with Chatty and the babies earlier this evening talking to them letting them walk around and explore outside of there little home area I put them all back and was getting more pictures, of course under mama kitties watchful eye she even laid on my back as I was taking picture making sure nothing was happening to her babies, even breaking in from time to time to give her babies kisses and back to where she was.
CHATTY KATTY HOME December 20, 2017
Screening for forever homes for these cutie pies. They will be a month old on Christmas. Thank you for posting this article/information of different questions I can ask etc.
SeventhHeaven May 23, 2017
I find asking minimal questions works best for me, people lie especially online to get anything they want. I find letting them tell you what they have to offer works great. It always takes a few days to sift out the on a whim buyers, requesting a telephone number in order to receive a reply works. After a few e mails you get a fair picture, then a phone call can do everything, normally ALL is shared then. Also telling them you are screening lets them know its a serious commitment and you arent in a rush to rehome. You can also pick a form up from the SPCA which allows you to legally check back on the kitten or cat after 6 months if the home isnt suitable you may take the cat back.
maggie101 May 18, 2017
One thing to add. Is the new owner capable of picking her up and playing with her. The last people that returned her could not give the cat enough attention because the owner was 75 yrs old. Wish I had known that before giving her away.
ginny May 17, 2017
Great article! And as you said, not enough questions. I'd ask if prospective owner likes full grown cats as much as they like cute little kittens. Who doesn't like kittens? But a number of people who do like kittens don't like them anymore once they're all grown up. Another question is what would you do if the kitty started peeing outside the litter box. And do you know the signs of urinary blockage or UTI. And are you aware that abandonment for any reason is a crime.
ginny May 14, 2017
To add to what Red Top Rescue said: I would have them sign a form where they AGREE to give the kitty back to you for any reason.
red top rescue May 18, 2014
You can protect any cat or kitten you are adopting out by saying you will ALWAYS take the cat/kitten back for any reason or no reason if they need to give it up. 
linkfarm March 1, 2014
And owners should not divest themselves of their cat just because it has become inconvenient.

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