Step-by-Step Adoption Guide
Our Adoption Process
At Give Hope Cat Rescue, Inc., our goal is to ensure that every cat or kitten is placed in a loving, responsible, and permanent home. Because we invest so much care into every rescue, our adoption process is designed to protect both our animals and adopters — ensuring the best match possible.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we carefully guide you through the steps below.
See our adoptable kittens by clicking the button below.
Step 1. Fill Out an Adoption Application
To begin the process, please complete our Cat Adoption Form found here or by pressing the button below.
You may also complete it in person at one of our weekly adoption events.
The application helps us learn more about your home environment, family, other pets, and your expectations for adoption — so we can ensure a safe and lasting match.
Step 2. Application Review & Screening
Once your form is submitted, one of our directors or adoption coordinators will review it and contact you if additional information is needed.
We review all applications carefully to ensure our cats are placed in responsible homes. We reserve the right to decline any application if we feel it is not in the best interest of the animal.
Please note that fosters do not make final adoption decisions — approvals and arrangements are handled only by the directors of Give Hope Cat Rescue.
Step 3: Veterinary & Age Readiness
Before any kitten or cat can go home, they must:
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Be spayed or neutered (we do not release unsterilized kittens except under approved early-adoption exceptions).
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Receive age-appropriate vaccinations.
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Be healthy, eating well, and litter-trained.
If a kitten is still too young or awaiting surgery, adopters will be notified of an estimated ready date.
Even if approved, adoption pickup may not occur until the kitten is fully ready.
Step 4: Home Visit (Virtual or In-Person)
As part of our adoption process, a home visit is required before final approval. This can be done either virtually (via video call) or in person.
The purpose of the home visit is to:
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Ensure the environment is safe and appropriate for a cat or kitten.
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Provide adopters with guidance on preparing for their new family member.
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Answer any final questions before proceeding to delivery.
This step helps us confirm that everything is ready for a smooth transition into the home.
Step 5: Home Delivery & Adoption Finalization
Once approved, we personally deliver every adopted cat or kitten to their new home.
This ensures that:
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The cat or kitten is safely transitioned into their new environment.
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All adoption paperwork is signed in person at the time of delivery.
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The adoption fee is collected, and the adopter receives medical and microchip records.
We do not allow public pickups, third-party transfers, or handoffs from fosters.
All deliveries are scheduled and completed only by authorized directors of Give Hope Cat Rescue.
Step 6: Ongoing Support & Yearly Updates
Our commitment doesn’t end at adoption — we love seeing how our rescues grow and thrive!
Adopters are encouraged to send yearly photo updates via email or social media.
📧 Email: contact@givehoperescue.org
🌐 Website: www.givehoperescue.org
We’re always available to offer post-adoption advice, support, or resources if you ever need help.
Important Notes
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Final approval and delivery are handled only by Give Hope Cat Rescue directors.
Fosters help care for and socialize cats, but they are not authorized to schedule pickups, finalize adoptions, or make exceptions to policy. -
Kittens must be fully vetted and ready for adoption before going home.
This includes being spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and cleared for adoption by a licensed veterinarian. -
We do not “hold” kittens without an approved application and deposit (if applicable).
Approval is based on the best interest of the animal, not order of application. -
Respectful communication is required.
Our directors, fosters, and volunteers dedicate countless unpaid hours to saving lives. We kindly ask adopters to remain patient and courteous throughout the process. -
We reserve the right to deny or postpone any adoption if circumstances change or if we feel the environment is not suitable — even after preliminary approval.
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Adoption fees are non-refundable once the adoption is finalized.
Fees help cover veterinary care, supplies, and the continued rescue of other cats in need. -
Post-adoption support is always available.
If an adopter ever experiences challenges with their cat, we encourage them to contact us rather than surrender the animal elsewhere. -
All returns must go through Give Hope Cat Rescue directly.
Adopters may not rehome, abandon, or surrender the cat to another shelter, person, or organization without our written consent. -
Yearly photo updates are required.
We love seeing our former rescues happy, healthy, and loved! Photos can be emailed or tagged on our social media pages.