Surrender Criteria
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. Please read below about the steps for both Owner Surrenders and Stray Surrenders.
We function primarily as a coffeeshop and do not have a vet or clinic on site like other shelters or rescues do. Cats coming to the Catfe must be given a clean bill of health so we can make sure we aren't putting any of the current cats at risk. If you are considering re-homing your cat due to behavioral issues, working with a behaviorist may help solve the problems. You can find links to online resources, as well as information about working with a trainer in your home on our Resources Page here.
In order to bring in new cats into our program, the cat must meet all of the following criteria:
We function primarily as a coffeeshop and do not have a vet or clinic on site like other shelters or rescues do. Cats coming to the Catfe must be given a clean bill of health so we can make sure we aren't putting any of the current cats at risk. If you are considering re-homing your cat due to behavioral issues, working with a behaviorist may help solve the problems. You can find links to online resources, as well as information about working with a trainer in your home on our Resources Page here.
In order to bring in new cats into our program, the cat must meet all of the following criteria:
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If the cats medical or behavioral needs exceed the abilities of Gem City Kitties, Gem City Kitties may not be able to accept the cat but will offer alternative resources to help you with the placement of your pet. Please see the bottom of this page for additional resources in the Dayton community.
To assist with vetting costs, the following organizations offer low cost vet care:
To assist with vetting costs, the following organizations offer low cost vet care:
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For standard vet care, we recommend Dr. Horton at Germantown Veterinary Clinic, which is where our Catfe cats are seen.
Our Process
1. Ensure you can meet our medical criteria
Please review the medical criteria above. If you are willing to ensure your cat will able to meet all of the above, please fill out the application below. When we receive it, we will call to get more information and schedule a behavior assessment. You do not need to have all the medical work done before the behavior assessment, but you must be willing and able to do so if your cat passes the behavior assessment.
2. (Stray Surrenders Only) - Look for the owner in case the cat was lost.
Skip to step 3 if you are re-homing a pet instead of a lost stray.
We want to make sure surrenders are not lost cats that would be re-claimed immediately on entry to our program. The following steps must be met before the Owner Surrender contract can be signed and the cat given over to us:
• Finder must post on Dayton and Surrounding Area Lost and Found Pets Facebook page here.
• Fill out SICSA's Lost and Found Pet Report here: https://www.sicsa.org/lost-and-found-pets/
• Post Flyers in neighborhood where pet was found
• Call HSGD to see if any lost pets meet the description
The finder must hold the cat for 7 days after the last of the above has been completed and must be willing to sign the owner surrender contract as the legal owner.
3. Behavior Assessment
Not all cats will enjoy an environment like the Catfé, sharing space with many other other cats and new people coming and going. We will do a quick behavior assessment at the Catfé to make sure this wouldn't be a stressful and negative experience for your cat. If we think your cat will enjoy an open environment, we will schedule a date for you to bring your cat back and sign over ownership. We will work with you to coordinate a date that you can get any necessary or remaining medical procedures completed and when we will have an opening.
4. Legally Transfer Ownership
If this will be a good fit for your cat, we will ask you to sign over your cat legally to us. Please review our contract verbiage by clicking here.
Please review the medical criteria above. If you are willing to ensure your cat will able to meet all of the above, please fill out the application below. When we receive it, we will call to get more information and schedule a behavior assessment. You do not need to have all the medical work done before the behavior assessment, but you must be willing and able to do so if your cat passes the behavior assessment.
2. (Stray Surrenders Only) - Look for the owner in case the cat was lost.
Skip to step 3 if you are re-homing a pet instead of a lost stray.
We want to make sure surrenders are not lost cats that would be re-claimed immediately on entry to our program. The following steps must be met before the Owner Surrender contract can be signed and the cat given over to us:
• Finder must post on Dayton and Surrounding Area Lost and Found Pets Facebook page here.
• Fill out SICSA's Lost and Found Pet Report here: https://www.sicsa.org/lost-and-found-pets/
• Post Flyers in neighborhood where pet was found
• Call HSGD to see if any lost pets meet the description
The finder must hold the cat for 7 days after the last of the above has been completed and must be willing to sign the owner surrender contract as the legal owner.
3. Behavior Assessment
Not all cats will enjoy an environment like the Catfé, sharing space with many other other cats and new people coming and going. We will do a quick behavior assessment at the Catfé to make sure this wouldn't be a stressful and negative experience for your cat. If we think your cat will enjoy an open environment, we will schedule a date for you to bring your cat back and sign over ownership. We will work with you to coordinate a date that you can get any necessary or remaining medical procedures completed and when we will have an opening.
4. Legally Transfer Ownership
If this will be a good fit for your cat, we will ask you to sign over your cat legally to us. Please review our contract verbiage by clicking here.
Having behavioral issues?
If you are considering re-homing your cat due to behavioral issues, changing a few routines may help solve some of the problems you are experiencing. We have links for the most common issues on our Resources Page here. Another great option is working with a professional trainer in your home. We recommend Pawsitive Pet Behavior, you can find their information below.
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"Feline behavior consultations and training are available. Whether you are interested in basic training of foundation behaviors such as coming when called, stay or wait or introducing a new pet to your home, we can help!
We also consult on behavioral issues such as inappropriate elimination, aggression with people or other animals, aggressive play, fear or furniture scratching." |
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