Adoption Policies & Fees-Cats
VIPP ADOPTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CATS
Living with a cat or kitten is one of life’s pleasures, and sending a cat off to a new home with a happy, excited new owner is a pleasure for VIPP volunteers. Every VIPP volunteer loves to hear that the new kitty is a happy member of the family and is completely comfortable in its new home.
VIPP operates under a “no-kill” policy. We will care for the kitties for as long as it takes to place them in a home. We have many cats and kittens available for adoption and we want to share the love. The following are some policies and procedures to ensure that there is the best possible match between a potential caregiver and the kitty being considered.
The Cats
All cats that VIPP adopts out are spayed or neutered cats. We test every cat for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, give them basic vaccinations, and de-flea and de-worm if necessary and provide any veterinary care they need. We do everything possible to ensure the cat you are adopting is healthy. We even provide a free wellness check-up at Fair Isle Animal Clinic within a week of adoption. The cats are microchipped. A cat with a microchip stands the best chance of being returned home if he or she wanders.
The Process
The VIPP volunteers use a detailed questionnaire to get an idea of the potential adopter’s history with animals and desires and expectations about adopting a cat. VIPP provides all the information we have about our cats’ health, history and habits. We also provide information on introducing a new cat into your home and endless free advice.
After you look over the available kitties and think you have selected your next family member, we ask you to come back the next day to pick up your kitty. This 24-hour waiting period allows potential adopters to go home and think it over, as well as get a litter box, food bowls, and other kitty essentials.
Some policies
We adopt out cats as pets who will live in a household. Obviously it is safer for the cat as well as local birds if a cat stays indoors all the time. Some owners prefer to let their cats outside as well. Only in rare circumstances will be adopt out cats to be “barn cats.” The vast majority of VIPP cats are used to living with people, not outside by themselves in a barn.
Renters who desire to adopt cats need to provide proof that the landlord allows pets. This can be in the form of a letter from the landlord, or a VIPP volunteer may phone the landlord.
VIPP is opposed to de-clawing cats. We occasionally take in cats that have been de-clawed and we will adopt them to good homes. For their own protection, all de-clawed cats must be indoor cats only.
Sometimes people want to surprise a special someone with a new kitty or believe they can pick out a cat for someone else. We have learned through experience that giving a cat to someone does not always work out as expected. VIPP will adopt a cat only to the person who will care for the kitty.
VIPP has Adopt-a-Cat Days at Pandora’s Box frequently on weekends. Pandora’s Box not only provides space for adoptions, they also donate a bag of kitty toys and samples for the newly adopted kitties.
Fees
Our adoption fees are:
Adult cat $75
Kitten $85
Senior cat (10 years and older) $55
VIPP has a special program for cats with pre-existing medical conditions. Ask your VIPP volunteer about the program if your fear of the condition is inhibiting your ability to adopt your favorite cat.
March 22, 2007