Courtesy Listing for your Cat-

Finding a new home for your cat is your responsibility, but we will help you!  Below is the information that we need in order to upload your cat(s) as a courtesy listing online through our website and other pet finding websites such as Petfinder.com and AdoptAPet.com.

Please be aware that all prospective adopters must contact you directly and you will need to carefully interview them to make sure your cat(s) are being placed appropriately.

Soon after we receive your information, your posting will be uploaded to the internet and you will be emailed a link so you can be certain that the information is current and correct.  The posting will be online for 30 days.  Please be sure to respond to any messages sent to you regarding adopting your cat(s).  Again, this is your responsibility..!

We can post up to 4 photos of your cat(s). We may also be able to post a short video if you have one.  Just make sure the images are clear, in focus and recent.

Please provide us with the following information:

1.  Name of your cat(s).

2.  Age or birthdate of your cat(s). Approximate age is okay.

3.  Tell us the sex of your cat(s) and whether they are spayed or neutered.

4.  List any recent vaccinations (Rabies, FVRCP, Feline Leukemia, etc.) given to  your cat(s). Be able to provide copies of vet records to new owner.

5.  Write a short story about your cat's history, personality, likes and dislikes. Describe what kind of family situation would be best.

6.  Provide your contact information. We need your email address and phone number. But, you can choose both or either means for the potential adopters to contact you directly.

7.  Please provide the city and state the cat(s) reside in.

8.  Please provide a minimum of 2 photos of your cat(s).

When you have gathered this information or have questions, email us at:

                        adoptions@catscradlerescue.org
  
You can also advertise your pet on www.ventura.craigslist.org , veterinary offices, pet stores, the Ventura County Star, etc.  Ask questions of the prospective adopters such as:  what happened to their last pet, have them show their lease if they rent that they can have a pet, give a reference, exchange names/phone numbers.  Most importantly deliver your pet to its new home to ensure it's going to a good environment. You can always say, "No", if you aren't comfortable with the situation.
 
If you want your cat to have a new home, here are some helpful hints that can help assure you of success:

Place an advertisement with a good, clear photograph in the local newspaper.  The Sunday edition is usually best for this.  Do not advertise your pet as "free to a good home" because some of these animals may end up in a medical research laboratory. You can ask that the prospective adopter have a drivers license with a local address and ask them to sign an adoption contract.  Offer some incentive to a prospective adopter such as a six-month supply of your cats favorite food, two or three free visits to the groomers or perhaps even offer to pay for a pet health insurance plan or a pet hospital wellness plan. Perhaps it could be something as simple as offering to pay for the registration or implant of a microchip-less than $50.00.
Pet owners who have done these things report an extraordinary amount of success placing their animals into new homes.

Surrendering your pet to an animal shelter should be your last alternative.   In fact, according to statistics, cats account for two-thirds of all companion animals euthanized in animal shelters nationwide and each year, the United States spends about two billion dollars dealing with the pet overpopulation problem. Shelters, people to provide care as well as euthanizing and disposing of so many animals comes at a staggering cost.   The odds are about one chance in three that your cat will make it out of an animal shelter alive.

Proper planning and a little effort on your part can prevent that from happening. If you put it off until the last minute, you might be faced with little choice other than a municipal shelter or some other shelter that euthanizes pets.   If you choose to simply abandon your pet, not only are you breaking the law as well as the bond of trust you once had, it is entirely possible that your cat could be hit by a car, attacked by another animal or contract a disease that would cause unimaginable suffering.   If you take your pet to a municipal shelter, it is a sad fact that once you sign the surrender form, they are under no obligation to put your pet on the adoption list and can euthanize it after you walk out the door.