# Finding a new home for my cat **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 7, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249 "2016-09-07T02:12:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/1 "2016-09-07T02:12:56Z")
I’ll be out of the country for a couple of years, so I’d like to find a new home for my cat. What’s the best way to go about it? I’ve asked friends and coworkers, but I’ve gotten no responses so far. Are shelters the way to go, or do they euthanize the animals if they can’t find a home quickly? (I definitely wouldn’t want that) Any other options? Details: It’s a female cat, 6 years old, very well behaved. We currently live in Silicon Valley. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/2 "2016-09-07T02:39:30Z")
I’d avoid the shelter route, if at all possible. Even the “no-kill” ones could be a poor experience depending on how well your cat handles it. One thing you could try is a site like [Nextdoor](https://nextdoor.com/) if one exists for your neighborhood. Local social networks like those can sometimes be helpful with simple things like rehoming pets. They also come with the annoying drawbacks of most social sites, ( i.e. douchebag members ) so [buyer beware](http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-living/ci_28740829/nextdoor-when-neighborhood-website-turns-unneighborly). ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/3 "2016-09-07T03:01:18Z")
May I ask what part of the country you live in? Possibly central US? ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/4 "2016-09-07T03:10:16Z")
Try these guys. They’re in Redwood City. [Nine Live Foundation](http://www.ninelivesfoundation.org) I got one of my cats from them. They are no kill and I believe that they try and foster animals as well. If you’re in SF, the humane society there is also supposed to be first rate. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/5 "2016-09-07T03:15:21Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > May I ask what part of the country you live in? Possibly central US? Silicon Valley is the south end of the SF Bay Area-roughly Palo Alto down through San Jose. One place to look are private rescue groups but you need to really look them over to pick a good one. [This looks promising.](http://www.narfrescue.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/6 "2016-09-07T03:33:30Z")
Too bad you are halfway across the country. I have room for a cat in need, and I know I’d be getting a mature cat that didn’t need litter training. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/7 "2016-09-07T04:20:18Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > I’ll be out of the country for a couple of years, so I’d like to find a new home for my cat. What part of the world are you going to where they don’t have cats? Why would you go there? ---
**Author:** ![RainPops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RainPops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainPops)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/8 "2016-09-07T05:13:49Z")
hi The help I can post is that a shelter isnt a good place! cats get adopted from shelters; and you dont take cats to shelters! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/9 "2016-09-07T06:53:52Z")
You might want to ask your veterinarian. Mine assists in adoptions. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/10 "2016-09-07T08:39:15Z")
> [@RainPops](#): > > hi The help I can post is that a shelter isnt a good place! cats get adopted from shelters; and you dont take cats to shelters! What the hell does this even mean? ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/11 "2016-09-07T14:36:39Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > What part of the world are you going to where they don’t have cats? > Why would you go there? Most places have a dearth of local cats and the authorities frown on importing more. That’s just one reason… ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/12 "2016-09-07T14:57:52Z")
> [@RainPops](#): > > hi The help I can post is that a shelter isnt a good place! cats get adopted from shelters; and you dont take cats to shelters! hi I totally feel you. The windshield of my car is dirty, I will need to get more bananas. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/13 "2016-09-07T15:01:08Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Too bad you are halfway across the country. I have room for a cat in need, and I know I’d be getting a mature cat that didn’t need litter training. There’s some group that helps arrange transport for pets by linking up people (like pony express) to hand the animal off to the next ride, I’m not making this real clear but maybe that would be a way to get that kitty from \*\*Polarius \*\*to you. If I were anyplace on the route I’d help but I’m sure I’m not. I wish I knew the name of that group… ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/14 "2016-09-07T15:16:40Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > There’s some group that helps arrange transport for pets by linking up people (like pony express) to hand the animal off to the next ride,… …I’m imagining Grumpy Cat on the back of a horse… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/15 "2016-09-07T15:20:17Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > hi I totally feel you. The windshield of my car is dirty, I will need to get more bananas. Please do not use whole bananas to clean up the windshield, only the peels. You do not need to step on them beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/16 "2016-09-07T16:43:02Z")
Our local humane society takes surrenders as a last resort - your local humane society may too. The cats at our humane society are treated very well. They have a huge indoor/outdoor cattery and lots of attention from visitors and staff (and lots of cubbyholes to hide in when they don’t want attention). I don’t believe they euthanize any cats. The cats typically adopt out quickly. If a cat is having a hard time being adopted, they will waive the adoption fee. You may be able to find an equally good humane society in your area. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/17 "2016-09-07T17:40:12Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > What part of the world are you going to where they don’t have cats? > Why would you go there? If he were permitted to take his cat with him to another country, chances are it would be required to be quarantined for at least six months. Better for the cat to find a new home for it than to make it be locked up a cage for that long. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/18 "2016-09-07T23:43:09Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > There’s some group that helps arrange transport for pets by linking up people (like pony express) to hand the animal off to the next ride, I’m not making this real clear but maybe that would be a way to get that kitty from \*\*Polarius \*\*to you. If I were anyplace on the route I’d help but I’m sure I’m not. I wish I knew the name of that group… Apparently there are several groups that do this. Google pet transportation or similar. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/19 "2016-09-07T23:54:21Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > I’ll be out of the country for a couple of years, so I’d like to find a new home for my cat. > > What’s the best way to go about it? I’ve asked friends and coworkers, but I’ve gotten no responses so far. > > Are shelters the way to go, or do they euthanize the animals if they can’t find a home quickly? (I definitely wouldn’t want that) > > Any other options? > > Details: It’s a female cat, 6 years old, very well behaved. We currently live in Silicon Valley. If you haven’t already, Facebook and Reddit. It’s one of the most consistently reliable ways get people to adopt a pet in my experience. Take some cute pictures, tell a sad story and encourage everyone you know to share it. You’ll eventually get connected to someone who would love to have him. My cousin just chose to give up a impulsively acquired kitten (long aggravating story that makes me hate my family) and after posting to Facebook had like 3 takers in an hour. Granted she’s a 20-something girl and the cat is still a kitten, so pretty much ideal circumstances, but still. And on Reddit there’s the story of [Waffles](https://redditblog.com/2016/03/11/how-reddit-came-together-to-save-waffles-a-cat-abandoned-in-the-snow/). ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249/20 "2016-09-08T01:40:16Z")
If kitty is a specific breed, are there rescues for specific breeds? I know these organizations exist for dogs; don’t know if they also exist for cats. Would you like the option of getting the cat back upon your return? Maybe a foster who would appreciate some help on the food and vet expenses exists? On the plus side, you are in an area of high density people and money, so options are a bit better. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-home-for-my-cat/765249.md?page=2)