Before Battersea can match you with a cat, you will need to register your details and answer a few questions related to your current living circumstances as well as your preferences. As you progress through the registration form, they will share additional information that will help you better understand why it might take us longer, or in some cases why it might not be possible, to find you a cat. They use our 160 years’ of rehoming experience to match you with your perfect pet, which is whyt they encourage people to not apply for a specific animal as, chances are, they might be able to find you an even more suitable cat.
The form should take no more than 15 minutes and will help us find a cat that’s right for you.
If you are unable to complete the online form, send an email to info@battersea.org.uk to request the registration form in an alternative format.
STEP TWO: RECEIVE AUTOMATED REPLY
To ensure successful matches between people and pets, they use a combination of extensive rehoming experience, their staff expertise and analytical tools. After registering, you will receive an automated response from them with an indication of your likeliness to rehome based on what you’ve told us, as well as the next steps of the process.
STEP THREE: LEAVE IT WITH US
Making good matches between people and pets is the most important thing to them, but it can take time. So if you don’t hear from them for a while, rest assured that in this time they are busy caring for their dogs and cats and ensuring each one gets the best possible chance of happiness in a new home.
STEP FOUR: SPEAK WITH A REHOMING TEAM MEMBER
When they think there’s a good chance they can find you a match, they will contact you to arrange a call. One of their expert rehoming team will then get in touch to chat about a few more details.
STEP FIVE: REHOME
They will then arrange a visit to a Battersea centre to meet your potential new cat. This is where your new friendship begins! They know that rehoming a pet is an exciting and emotional experience, so will give you plenty of expert advice and support to help your new cat to settle in.
ABOUT WORKING CATS
Some cats are more independent than others and don’t do well in a typical family home. At Battersea, these cats are referred to as ‘working cats’ and are rehomed to homes where they can live in a way that best suits them. Farms, garden centres, stables and rural homes with outbuildings are just some of the places we’ve already rehomed working cats to.
Battersea’s working cats normally require less maintenance than pet cats and generally only need food, water, warm and enclosed shelter, someone to keep an eye on them and a sufficiently large and enriched area for them to explore. They usually prefer to come and go as they please.
WHAT IS BATTERSEAS MATCHING PROCESS?
Battersea aim to rehome a working cat to you that matches your expectations of what you would like from your working cats. If you are looking for a feral working cat, they would seek to rehome a cat that had little interest in interacting with people. Whereas, if you were interested in having a working cat that wanted to have some friendly interaction with people, they would ensure they rehomed you a cat that has previously showed interest in people.
HOW MUCH DOES A WORKING CAT COST?
Batterseas rehoming fee is £65 per outlet.
They accept cash or debit/credit card as payment (we are unable to accept cheques).
Included in this fee are initial vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, neutering and all of this to help your cat settle in:
- Three food bowls and a water bowl
- An initial supply of food
- A litter tray
- An initial supply of cat litter
- Blankets, towels and toys
- An insulated cat bed (Mr Snugs)
- A cat carrier, which will be used to transport them to their new home (and other hiding options such as cardboard boxes if needed).
A member of the Battersea team will call you to take payment 24-48 hours after you’ve taken your cat.
Although the fee doesn’t cover the cost of the treatment and care your cat will have received at Battersea, it does go a long way towards helping the animals who are still here.
WHAT DO OWNERS NEED TO PROVIDE?
- A secure, enclosed sheltered area for the cat. Suitable areas must be dry, warm and give the cat privacy, examples include a barn, stable or large shed area. We do not use crates when settling in our working cats.
- At least half an acre of personal territory, including plenty of vegetation to provide an enriched environment.
- A twice daily supply of food and water for adult cats (more regular feeds for kittens). To encourage them to stay in the area, it is vital to keep feeding them.
HOW DOES BATTERSEA DECIDE IF A CAT IS SUITED TO LIVING IN A WORKING HOME?
When a cat arrives at Battersea, staff gather as much information as possible about their history and behaviours. The cat is then put on a tailored stress management plan in order to give them the best chance to settle. Staff will carefully monitor how well the cat copes with cattery life as they settle, as well as how they behave around people.
If a cat has previously been known to enjoy the company of people but isn’t coping well in the cattery environment, they will be placed in a foster home. If there’s no history of the cat wanting to interact with people, or they don’t respond to continued efforts to help them settle, it’s highly likely that they’re better suited to a working home environment.
The decision to place cats in a working cat home is made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with a Battersea vet.
If you think you can provide a home for one of their working cats, please complete an application form.