I got my first cat in Ireland back in 2018. His name is Luna, and he was just one year old at the time. He’s a British shorthair.
Getting Luna wasn’t just as simple as picking him up. I had to go through a whole process to adopt him. Along the way, I learned a bunch of stuff that not everyone knows.
So, I decided to write this article to explain everything. It’s a guide on how to adopt a cat in Ireland. Hopefully, it’ll help you get your first or next furry friend!
Before you decide to adopt a cat, it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are you mentally ready to care for a cat?
- Are you willing to dedicate time, effort, and form an emotional connection with your cat?
- Do you prefer a kitten or an adult cat? Are you aware of the differences in their behavior and needs?
- What arrangements will you make for your cat if you need to be away for a few days?
- How busy is your social life? Will you have enough time to spend with your cat?
- Have you thought about the financial costs associated with cat ownership?
- Can you commit to meeting your cat’s needs on a daily basis?
Remember, you don’t necessarily have to say “yes” to all these questions, but it’s important to consider them carefully. Adopting a cat is a lifelong commitment, so it’s essential to be prepared for the responsibilities involved.
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Getting a Cat from a Rescue Shelter in Ireland
In Ireland, there are several rescues where you can find a cat to adopt. Most of them will ask you these questions:
- What type of cat are you interested in? Indoor, outdoor, or a mix of both?
- What age range do you prefer for your cat? Senior, kitten, or adult?
- Do you have other pets? It’s important to consider if the new cat will get along with them.
- Are you allergic to cat hair? Knowing this beforehand can help prevent any problems.
- Are you a homeowner or renting? If you rent, you’ll need permission from your landlord to have a pet.
Once these questions are answered, you’ll typically need to fill out an adoption application. The rescue may then conduct a home check to ensure your home is suitable for a cat. If any issues are found, you may need to address them before finalizing the adoption.
Adoption Application
This initial step is straightforward. You can usually find the adoption application form on the rescue’s website, ready to download. If it’s not available online, the rescue center will provide you with a paper form.
The form will ask for basic information like your name, contact details, and living situation. They’ll inquire about your accommodation and how many hours you typically spend away from home each day. They’ll also ask about your family, including any children, and what plans you have for the cat if you’re away.
Filling out this form helps the rescue match you with the right cat. Many cats end up in shelters because their previous owners couldn’t care for them properly. So, the shelter needs to ensure that your home is a safe and suitable environment for the cat.
Home Visit
After you’ve sent in the application form, a team will schedule a home visit. They’ll get in touch with you beforehand to arrange the visit. During the visit, a volunteer will meet you and your family to see where the cat will live.
It’s important to note that they’re not there to judge whether you’re ready to have a cat. The purpose of the visit is to ensure they find the perfect match between the cat and your family.
Feedback & Recommendations.
Once the home check is done, the rescue center will provide feedback and recommendations. If everything looks good, congratulations! You’re all set to welcome a cat into your home. However, if any issues are identified, they’ll give you detailed feedback so you can address them before bringing a cat home.
Choosing Your Cat
Choosing your cat is a crucial step because you’re picking a companion for possibly the next decade or more. So, it’s essential not to rush. Take your time and consider what type of cat would be the best fit for you, using logic alongside your emotions.
If your rescue center offers fostering with the option to adopt, it’s a great idea to take advantage of it. This allows you time to see if you and the cat are a good match before making a permanent commitment.
Once you’ve found the cat you’ve been dreaming of and finished all the paperwork, it’s time to bring them home! Be patient as your new furry friend settles into their new environment. And remember, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the shelter or rescue organization.
As a proud parent of a rescued cat, shower your new feline friend with love, attention, and care. Enjoy the unconditional love and companionship they will bring into your life.
Cost to Adopt a Cat in Ireland
The cost of adopting a cat can differ depending on the rescue center. You’re not purchasing a cat; instead, you’re making a fixed donation to the rescue center for the cat’s care. The donation amount varies, but typically ranges from 60 to 150 euros.
For example, when I adopted Luna, I paid 60 euros, and when I got my second cat, I paid 80 euros.
This donation helps cover the costs of early vaccinations and the spaying/neutering process for the cat.
Nearby Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
Ireland has lots of places where they take care of cats that don’t have homes. Here are the top places that help cats in Ireland.
If you really like cats and you’re in Ireland, you might want to know about the most famous places where they help cats find new homes.
These groups do a lot of work to save and look after cats that need help. They give them a safe place to stay, help with any medical problems, and try to find them nice homes where they’ll be loved forever. Here are some of the most popular places that help cats in Ireland:
Dublin SPCA:
One of the big shelters in Dublin is called SPCA. If you watch RTE, you might have seen a cute documentary they made a few years ago about DSPCA.
Address: Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 H356, Ireland
Website: [Dublin SPCA]
Contact: Call +353 1 499 4700 or email info@dspca.ie
Adoption Fee: The cost varies depending on the cat’s age and health. It usually includes vaccinations, microchipping, and getting spayed/neutered.
Adoption Process: If you want to adopt, you have to fill out an application and go through a screening process. They might even visit your home to make sure it’s suitable for a cat. Once you’re approved, you can go to the shelter, meet the cats, and fill out the paperwork.
Facebook Group: You can find the Dublin SPCA on Facebook [here].
The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) is one of the oldest and biggest groups in Ireland that takes care of animals. They run this cat rescue center where they save cats that don’t have homes, give them medical care, and find them new families. It’s cool that DSPCA also teaches people how to take good care of pets through their educational programs and campaigns.
Cats Aid:
- Address: PO Box 5604, Dublin 14, Ireland
- Website: [Cats Aid]
- Contact: Call: +353 87 294 1805 or email: catsaid@gmail.com
- Adoption Fee: When you adopt a cat from Cats Aid, they ask for a donation. This money helps pay for the vet visits and taking care of the cats.
- Adoption Process: If you want to adopt a cat, you can check out the ones available on Cats Aid’s website.
- Facebook Group: You can find Cats Aid on Facebook [here].
Cats Aid is a group of volunteers in Dublin who rescue and find new homes for cats. They take in cats that are lost or abandoned, make sure they’re healthy, and find them foster homes until they can be adopted for good. Cats Aid also encourages people to spay and neuter their cats to help control the number of cats without homes.
Galway Cat Rescue:
Address: They don’t have a fixed address, so you need to contact them for location details.
Website: [Galway Cat Rescue]
Contact: Email galwaycatrescue@gmail.com
Adoption Fee: The adoption fees vary. Usually, they cover things like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.
Adoption Process: You can check out the cats available for adoption on Galway Cat Rescue’s Facebook page or website. If you see one you like, you can get in touch with them to show your interest. They’ll set up a meeting so you can meet the cat. If everything goes well, you can fill out the paperwork and pay the adoption fee.
Facebook Group: You can find Galway Cat Rescue on Facebook [here].
Galway Cat Rescue is a top cat rescue center in Ireland. They work hard to save cats and kittens that are neglected, mistreated, or don’t have a home. They give these animals medical care, find them temporary foster homes, and help them get adopted so they can have a fresh start in life.
Galway Cat Rescue also runs a program called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). This helps control the population of feral cats by catching them, neutering or spaying them, and then returning them to their colonies.
Cork Cat Action Trust:
Address: They don’t have a fixed address, so you need to contact them for location details.
Website: [Cork Cat Action Trust]
Contact: Email: corkcatactiontrust@gmail.com
Adoption Fee: The adoption fees can vary. Usually, they cover things like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.
Adoption Process: If you’re interested in adopting a cat, you can check out the cats available on Cork Cat Action Trust’s Facebook page or website. Then, you can get in touch with them to ask about the adoption process and set up a meeting with the cat(s) you’re interested in. If everything goes well and it’s a good match, you can go ahead with the adoption.
Facebook Group: You can find Cork Cat Action Trust on Facebook [here].
Cork Cat Action Trust is based in Cork and they rescue and find new homes for cats that need help. They have a shelter where cats are looked after until they find loving families. Cork Cat Action Trust also works on a program called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to manage the number of feral cats in the area.
Limerick Animal Welfare:
Address: Moorestown, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, V35 H328, Ireland
Website: [Limerick Animal Welfare]
Contact: Call 063 91110 or Out of Hours 087 6371044, or email info@limerickanimalwelfare.ie
Adoption Fee: The fee for adopting a cat varies based on their age and health. It usually covers vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.
Adoption Process: If you’re interested in adopting a cat, you can visit the shelter or call them to talk about it. After that, their staff or volunteers will come to your house for a visit to make sure it’s safe for the cat. Limerick Animal Welfare has a requirement that all adopted pets must have a safe garden and sleep inside the family home. They don’t allow the use of shock collars. Once all these steps are done, you can take your new pet home.
Facebook Group: You can find Limerick Animal Welfare on Facebook [here].
Limerick Animal Welfare started in 1983. Since then, they’ve been taking care of thousands of unwanted animals like dogs, cats, horses, goats, and more. They also offer low-cost spaying and neutering services to help control the number of unwanted animals.
What’s really cool is that Limerick Animal Welfare often goes to primary and secondary schools to talk to kids. They teach them about being kind to animals and how important it is to respect them.
A.S.H. ANIMAL RESCUE
Address: Kiltegan, Rathdangan, County Wicklow, Ireland
Adoption Fee: The fee for adopting an animal varies based on their age and health.
Contact Number: Call 059 647 3396 (For calls outside of the Republic of Ireland: +353 59 6473396)
Email: Reach out to ashlm@eircom.net
Website: [A.S.H. Animal Rescue]
Adoption Process: To adopt an animal, you need to fill out an adoption application form. You can find the form on A.S.H. Animal Rescue’s website or request it via email. After that, the rescue team might visit your home to make sure it’s suitable for the specific needs of the animal. Once your application is approved and the home visit goes well, you’ll arrange a meeting with the animal. If both you and the animal get along, the adoption can happen. You’ll need to sign an adoption agreement, which lays out the terms and conditions of the adoption, including your responsibilities and expectations.
Facebook Group: A.S.H. Animal Rescue has an active Facebook group where they share updates about available animals, adoption events, fundraising efforts, and success stories. You can join the group [here].
A.S.H. Animal Rescue is based in Co. Wicklow. They rescue and rehome unwanted cats and dogs. If an animal can’t find a new home, they can stay at the rescue. This shelter makes sure to neuter all cats over 6 months old before rehoming them. When you adopt an animal, they ask for a donation to help A.S.H. Animal Rescue keep doing their important work.
In addition to A.S.H. Animal Rescue, there are many other shelters in Ireland. You can find details about them in the link provided.
These are just a few examples of the many cat rescue centers in Ireland. Each of these organizations plays a big role in saving and improving the lives of cats in need. They rely on volunteers and donations to keep going. If you’re thinking about getting a cat, think about adopting from one of these rescue centers and giving a deserving cat a loving home.
Attend Adoption Events
Remember, adopting a cat means taking care of it for its whole life. You’ll need to give your furry friend love and attention for many years. When you welcome a cat into your home, you’re not only changing their life but also bringing happiness into your own. So why wait? Start your journey of being a cat parent today and feel the joy of adoption!
