• Friends and family: including circulating an email flyer, if possible, asking friends and family to take the cat themselves or to forward the flyer on to their contacts.
• Vet clinics: some vet clinics have adoption centres. It is best to ring around to see if any clinics would be in a position to look after your cat.
• RSPCA WA: they also have a waiting list- please contact them for wait time
• Gumtree or other selling sites: provided your cat is desexed and microchipped, Gumtree is a great way to rehome your cat. It will give you peace of mind in meeting the new owner and feeling comfortable with them and means your cat will not suffer the stress of being in a shelter environment, we cannot over emphasise the impact this can have on your cat.
• Cat Haven: we are truly a last resort, when you have exhausted all other avenues and we cannot guarantee we will be able to rehome your cat although we will do our best. Once a cat is surrendered to us, we cannot provide any further information to its outcome. We have over 8,000 cats and kittens per year coming in and are not resourced to be answer your queries.

If you are relinquishing your cat for behaviour issues, please consider the following:

Behavioural issues are one of the most common reasons people may want to give up their cat. Fortunately many behaviour problems can be easily treated. Problems such as inappropriate toileting and spraying, inability to get along with other household pets, scratching the furniture and aggression are often amenable to treatment, which may be a combination of retraining, pheromones and sometimes medications.

Has anything changed in your cat’s life? a new pet, or person in the household? A stray cat hanging around and putting your cat under stress.

What should you do first before surrendering?

Many behavioural problems have an underlying physical cause. Have you taken your cat to a vet for a physical examination? Sometimes issues such as inappropriate urination around the house may be due to bladder or kidney problems which may be easily treated. Nocturnal activity may be related to an overactive thyroid. There may be an easily remedied reason for your cat’s unusual behaviour. All cats that have behavioural problems should have an examination and preferably a blood and urine test before they are surrendered.

Have you talked to a vet about your cat’s behaviour problems?

Your local vet is likely to have quite a lot of experience in dealing with behavioural problems and will know your cat. It is very likely that your vet will be able to suggest some methods that will help you and your cat.

Have you considered speaking to an animal behaviourist?

There are a number of vets in Perth who have advanced training in the treatment of animal behaviour problems. Your usual vet may refer you to them or you can obtain a list from the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board. Their skill and expertise may help you avoid having to surrender your cat.

Have you tried Feliway®?

Feliway is a synthetic version of a pheromone produced by the mother cat that kittens are exposed to early in their life, the Feline Appeasement Pheromone. This pheromone has a calming effect on many cats. It is available as a spray or a plug-in diffuser. It can be a very useful tool in helping cats with behavioural problems due to unidentified stress. You should at least try Feliway for a month before surrendering your cat.

What should you do first before surrendering?

Many behavioural problems have an underlying physical cause. Have you taken your cat to a vet for a physical examination? Sometimes issues such as inappropriate urination around the house may be due to bladder or kidney problems which may be easily treated. Nocturnal activity may be related to an overactive thyroid. There may be an easily remedied reason for your cat’s unusual behaviour. All cats that have behavioural problems should have an examination and preferably a blood and urine test before they are surrendered.

Have you talked to a vet about your cat’s behaviour problems?

Your local vet is likely to have quite a lot of experience in dealing with behavioural problems and will know your cat. It is very likely that your vet will be able to suggest some methods that will help you and your cat.

Have you considered speaking to an animal behaviourist?

There are a number of vets in Perth who have advanced training in the treatment of animal behaviour problems. Your usual vet may refer you to them or you can obtain a list from the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board. Their skill and expertise may help you avoid having to surrender your cat.

Have you tried Feliway®?

Feliway is a synthetic version of a pheromone produced by the mother cat that kittens are exposed to early in their life, the Feline Appeasement Pheromone. This pheromone has a calming effect on many cats. It is available as a spray or a plug-in diffuser. It can be a very useful tool in helping cats with behavioural problems due to unidentified stress. You should at least try Feliway for a month before surrendering your cat.

Does it cost money to surrender my cat to Cat Haven?

If you have tried all of the above, and we are using us as a last resort, there is a surrender  $65 fee to cover some of the costs associated with taking your cat in. All surrenders area via a booking strictly Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 11.00am- we do not accept cats on weekends. Bookings can be made by emailing us at admin@cathaven.com.au to book an appointment, please do not assume your cat is booked us until we have confirmed with you. During the wait for surrender, please continue to speak with family, friends, work colleagues etc. and should you find a home, let us know and we will cancel your appointment.

Stray Cats

Your local Government is responsible for the management of stray cats and should be contacted if you find a stray cat or kittens. If your council refuses to assist, then get in touch with us and we try  to help. We will require information in relation to the council, and the person you spoke with for follow up with them. If you do bring a stray into us, we ask for a small of $20 to assist with the vet work the cat will require. Stray cats are also via appointments which are strictly Monday to Friday 9.00am to 11.00am.  Every cat coming into Cat Haven costs on average any where between $400 to $500 and we have to raise 98% of our own operating costs. Please ensure you email admin@cathaven.com.au to make an appointment.

Do not encourage stray cats by regular feeding, please contact your Local Council instead.