Re-Homing Requests

When Is Re-Homing the Right Option?

At Rescue Me, we are dedicated to saving kittens and cats from shelters and the streets—an overwhelming, ongoing mission. Because of this, we have limited capacity to take in cats who already have homes but are facing re-homing situations.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Re-Homing

Before considering re-homing, it's crucial to explore the root cause of the issue. Many times, re-homing can be avoided with the right support. Here are a few real-life examples of how we’ve helped:

• Medical Expenses: Marilyn reached out when one of her kittens, Spooky, needed expensive medical care she could no longer afford. While she wanted to keep Spooky, she felt she had no choice but to give him up. We stepped in to help with veterinary care and medications, allowing her to keep her beloved pet. 

• Health Concerns During Pregnancy: Leah was newly pregnant and worried about toxoplasmosis. After learning that indoor cats pose virtually no risk—especially if they aren’t hunting rodents—she felt confident in keeping her cats.

• Allergies: For many, allergies don’t mean saying goodbye to a pet. Dietary changes like switching to Purina LiveClear, along with environmental strategies such as keeping cats out of bedrooms and regular bathing, can make a big difference.

• Moving or Housing Issues: With some planning—like securing pet-friendly housing, budgeting for deposits, and making moving-day arrangements—most families can bring their pets along.

• Behavioral or Medical Issues: Problems like aggression or litter box avoidance often have treatable causes. A visit to the vet can often resolve these issues, helping both the cat and the family live happily together.

  
  

When We Can Accept Re-Homing Requests

While our focus is on cats in emergencies, such as in shelters or on the streets, there are rare situations where we may accept a re-home request. These usually include situations where the owner has passed away or the owner is moving into a nursing home or is facing a serious illness or disability that prevents continued care.

Even in these cases, we must have a willing foster in place before we can help. Fostering an adult cat can take months, sometimes up to a year or more, as kittens are often adopted more quickly than older cats. We require that the cat be friendly, healthy, spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and any medical issues addressed before we can consider placement.

If you're close enough to Rescue Me (serving Lewisville, Flower Mound, Lantana, Highland Village, Denton, Corinth, Lake Dallas, Justin, and Argyle), and are willing to foster your cat until adoption, we welcome you to fill out our Foster Application. 

Together, we can work toward solutions that keep pets where they belong—at home, with the people who love them.