Our surrender program is temporarily paused due to our lengthy wait list. We are working through our wait list and we will re-open our program when we have more space available.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope the options on this page may help you find options in the meantime. We also have a form to sign up for updates when our program re-opens.

Sign up for updates

Rehoming a Cat

We're sorry you're facing the difficult decision to re-home your cat or taking on the task of finding a home for a lost stray. In Montgomery County, the only resources for cats are privately run non-profits who are limited intake (also called no-kill). Unfortunately, this means the waitlists can be long. We have medical and behavioral resources listed below to try to keep cats in their homes. If surrendering is the only option available, our surrender criteria and application are below as well.

Affordable Veterinary Care

For low-cost veterinary care, we recommend the following facilities. Our low-cost clinic, Gem City Vet, treats both cats and dogs in low-income families.

For standard vet care, we recommend:

Having behavioral issues?

If you are considering re-homing your cat due to behavioral issues such as inappropriate elimination, aggression with people or other animals, aggressive play, fear, or furniture scratching, changing a few routines may help solve some of the problems you are experiencing. The ASPCA has excellent online resources here.

Another great option is working with a professional trainer in your home. We recommend Pawsitive Pet Behavior, you can find their information below.

Get In Touch

For outdoor cats, we recommend Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) instead of surrendering to a shelter or rescue.

Learn More About TNR

Our Surrender Process

Our adoptable cats live at Gem City Catfe in the cat lounge with 17 other cats and see many visitors each day. For this reason, we have specific surrender criteria to accept cats that will thrive in our environment. Our applications will be processed based on needs of the surrendering family and the needs of the cats currently in our program.

Please read all of the criteria before starting your application. 

Surrender Criteria

  • Must pass behavior assessment. Cats who are fairly timid become highly stressed at the Catfe and are not a good fit for the cat lounge environment.

  • Must be in overall good health. While we do our best to help with medical cases, our program is typically at capacity with several cats who have special needs. If this changes, we'll update our website accordingly to accept more cats with medical issues. Cats over 8 years of age must have bloodwork completed during the surrender process. 

Costs

As a nonprofit, we rely on donations and program fees to keep caring for cats. If your cat isn't fully vetted, we are able to assist with low-cost veterinary care to help keep the surrender process affordable. During the application, you can select which vet care has been done already and we can coordinate with you to schedule the remaining items once your application is being processed.

  • Intake Fee - $30 per cat

  • Exam - $20 per cat.

  • FVRCP Vaccine - $10 per vaccine 

  • Rabies Vaccine - $10

  • FeLV/FIV test - $26

  • Microchip - $14

  • Neuter -$115

  • Spay - $224

Steps

We have two different processes to keep applications from owned pets separate from stray or lost cats. 


  • Read criteria. Be sure you'll be able and willing to meet our program guidelines.

    1. Fill out application online. Cats must be spayed or neutered before you begin your application. 

    2. If necessary, bring your cat to complete the needed vaccination or testing requirements. We can combine this with the behavior assessment in step 4.

    3. Complete behavior assessment. If your cat is highly stressed by new situations or new people, we will not be able to accept them.

    4. Sign Owner Surrender Contract & Pay Surrender Fees. We will keep the cat on site and get them set up at Gem City Catfe.

  • Lost or stray cats surrenders must complete the following items before completing the surrender process. We recommend taking action to find the owner right away.


    ​Look for the owner:

    Application Process:

    1. Read criteria. Be sure you'll be able and willing to meet our program guidelines.

    2. Fill out application online. Cats must be spayed or neutered before you begin your application. 

    3. If necessary, bring your cat to complete the needed vaccination or testing requirements. We can combine this with the behavior assessment in step 4.

    4. Complete behavior assessment. If your cat is highly stressed by new situations or new people, we will not be able to accept them.

    5. Sign Owner Surrender Contract & Pay Surrender Fees. We will keep the cat on site and get them set up at Gem City Catfe.

Owner Surrender Application

If you are helping a friend or family member, you can still use this application and help them enter their information. 

Owner Surrender Application (Temporarily Paused)

Stray Surrender Application

Stray Surrender Application (Temporarily Paused)

Other Local Resources

We understand that we may not be the best fit for your needs at this time. Other local organizations may be able to offer more help. Adopt-A-Pet also offers ways to help post your pet for adoption.

SICSA
Joseph's Legacy
Humane Society of Greater Dayton
Humane Association of Warren County
His Hands Extended Sanctuary

In 2019, Montgomery County ended all programs to help cats in our area.

If you'd like to see our taxpayer resources being used to help cats too, rather than only dogs, please contact our County Commissioners. For email addresses and meeting schedules, please visit the county website here.

Carolyn Rice

Judy Dodge

Mary McDonald

Phone: (937) 225-4912

Phone: (937) 225-6470

Phone: 937-225-4015