Adopting a cat through 4Paws Rescue Team gives a homeless cat or kitten a loving home. Here you’ll find the adoption process, fees, and what to expect when bringing a rescue cat into your family.
Thank you for considering adoption! Bringing a cat into your home is a joyful and rewarding experience, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
To make sure you and your new companion have the best start possible, please read through our guide to Preparing for Cat Adoption before you begin the process. This includes understanding both the financial and lifestyle commitments that come with welcoming a new animal into your family.
Ready to find your new best friend? Here’s how our adoption process works:
Browse our available cats online or at one of our in-person adoption events.
Complete and submit the adoption form and contract.
Allow about one week for us to process your application.
You will be contacted when your application is approved and instructions are provided (do not submit payment with your application unless asked by a 4Paws representative).
Make sure your space is safe and ready to support your new pet.
Follow the 4Paws pickup procedures and welcome your cat into a loving home.
Adopting a cat through 4Paws Rescue Team gives a homeless cat or kitten a loving home. Here you’ll find the adoption process, fees, and what to expect when bringing a rescue cat into your family.
Your adoption fee helps offset the cost of preparing each cat or kitten for a healthy start in their new home.
Preparing a cat for a new home includes leukemia and feline AIDS testing ($40–$60), deworming, a veterinary exam, rabies and distemper vaccinations ($20–$30 each), spaying or neutering ($75-$200), and daily care supplies such as food, litter, bedding, and microchipping.
Use our fee calculator below to estimate your total adoption cost based on the number and type of cats you’re bringing home. Simply select your options, and we’ll do the math for you.
All adoptable cats are vaccinated prior to adoption as appropriate for their age, and most have already been sterilized. If vaccines or sterilization are still required before adoption, those costs are included in the adoption fee.
4Paws tests cats for feline leukemia and discloses the results to adopters but does not vaccinate for feline leukemia.
Our goal is to create the best possible match between each cat and adopter. Depending on your household and lifestyle, we may recommend a different cat than the one listed on your application if we believe it will be a better fit.
A cat rescued through 4Paws Rescue Team is a cat rescued for life.
If you need to return your cat within 30 days, you may do so for a refund. After that period, 4Paws will still accept any cat adopted through the program so they can be safely rehomed.
If you cannot keep your cat at any point in the future, the adoption contract requires that the cat be returned directly to 4Paws. Call (703) 715-MEOW (6369) before returning a cat, as partner store locations cannot accept returns or issue refunds.
Adopting a cat is an exciting and rewarding journey, and we want to make sure you have all the resources you need every step of the way. Beyond visiting our adoption locations, you can learn more about the process, prepare your home, and explore helpful information that will guide you toward a successful adoption experience.
Below are quick links to our most important adoption resources:
You can still make a meaningful difference in the lives of cats and kittens in need. There are many ways to support 4Paws and help us continue our rescue work.
Your donations help cover essential care like food, medical treatment, and supplies for cats in our program. Whether you give financially or donate items like canned food and litter, every contribution makes an impact.
Foster homes are the heart of our rescue. By opening your home to a cat or litter of kittens, you provide a safe, loving environment while they wait to be adopted.
If you’re interested in caring for a litter of kittens, contact us at info@fourpaws.org. We can often arrange foster placements for pregnant cats or nursing shelter cats in urgent need of care.
Volunteers play a vital role in helping us care for and place cats into loving homes. You can get involved by helping at adoption fairs, assisting with cat transport, volunteering at Petco locations, and more.
Have questions about adopting? Visit our FAQs to find answers to common adoption questions.
