Adoption FAQs
What is your adoption process like?
Adopters begin by filling out an online Q&A (“Question & Answer”). It’s not a quiz and there are no wrong answers! We then connect with the adopter for a friendly conversation, which generally happens over the phone, though sometimes we talk in person in the Cat Lounge. The information from the Q&A is used to support the best introduction for both human and cat.
Once we’ve spoken, if the cat is in a foster home, adopters are then connected with them to arrange an in-person meeting. If it’s a match, adopters must sign an adoption agreement and pay a fee.
Please be advised that we process adoptions as much from the cat’s perspective as the human’s. What does that mean? Well, mainly, that we take into account everything we know about a specific cat’s needs and personality to ensure that they are also a good fit for an adopter and their household. We’re very much about opening doors, so don’t worry, our process is meant to support a successful adoption outcome.
Q&A stands for Question & Answer and it’s exactly that—a series of questions we ask a prospective adopter in order to get to know them a bit better before having a friendly conversation.
What exactly is an “Adoption Q&A”?
Unlike a purchase, which is a simple transaction, an adoption is a process that takes the compatibility of the adopter and the cat into consideration. To support this process, we ask adopters to fill out a Q&A on our website which facilitates an informed conversation.
How is adopting a cat different from buying one?
How do I meet a cat I see on your website?
Each one of our adoptable cats has an ad that tells you if they are in foster care or our Cat Lounge. If a cat is in foster care please fill out an Adoption Q&A so we can set up a time for a call. We speak with all adopters before connecting them with a foster home. If a cat resides in the Lounge you may either visit them there and then submit an Adoption Q&A or submit an Adoption Q&A and then visit. It’s your call!
Generally it takes at least 24 hours to fully execute an adoption. We are not able to hold adopted cats or kittens. Once an adoption agreement has been sent we respectfully ask that it be signed, the fee paid upon receipt and for the adopted cat go home within 24 hours. Please be ready to move forward with the adoption!
How long does it take to adopt a cat?
Do you do same day adoptions?
No, it generally takes at least 24 hours to fully execute an adoption.
In most instances we want anyone who will be living with the cat on a daily basis to be part of the adoption process. Meeting and adopting a cat is a wonderful and exciting experience that can be part of the gifting process!
Can I adopt a cat as a gift for someone else?
All of our adoptable cats have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and tested for FIV/FeLV (and are negative unless noted). All have received at least one exam by a licensed veterinarian.
What type of veterinary care do the cats receive prior to adoption?
We know cat introductions! This is a process we go through frequently in our Cat Lounge and with our fosters. It’s not unusual for there to be some friction at first, but with the proper steps, time and patience, it passes and eventually everyone gets along fine.
We offer in-person, post-adoption support and coaching if needed. There are some tried-and-true steps for introducing cats that we are most happy to share with adopters.
I have a cat at home. What happens if I adopt a cat from Good Home and they don’t get along with my resident cat?
We always enter into an adoption believing it will work, but we also understand there are times when it won’t. To support our cats and our adopters, our adoption policies include a 30-day post-adoption window during which time a cat or kitten may come back to us if it’s not feeling like a good fit. This 30 day period is not a trial or test, but if the adoption isn’t working out for any reason we will be happy to receive the cat back.
If a cat does indeed come back to us inside of 30 days after adoption the fee is refunded in full minus a $5 processing fee. After thirty days an adoptee may come back to us, however the fee is no longer refundable.
What if I adopt a cat and they don’t turn out to be a good fit?
We like to say that we make introductions, not matches. The premise of our free-roaming Cat Lounge is that the cats can introduce themselves to prospective adopters. So swing by for a visit, you might just get adopted by one of cats! You can also submit an Adoption Q&A and have a conversation with us about who in our system might be a good fit.
Will Good Home “match” me with a cat?
Yes! Foster-to-adopt is a great option for those who want to be sure that the cat they are adopting is a great fit or if they want a better understanding about the cost and care of cat parenting. The process is thesame as a regular foster gig, meaning, fosters are asked to take photos, start an Instagram account and communicate with us about their foster cat’s physical and psychological needs. That way, if your foster cat does not ultimately become a permanent member of your family, we will not have fallen behind with their adoption.
Can I foster-to-adopt a cat?
In order to be considered ready for adoption, all of our felines must be spayed or neutered, vaccinated (including rabies), tested for FIV/FeLV and microchipped. This process usually finds our kittens at around four months of age. We never permanently place cats or kittens who have not received all of these services.
Additionally, infant kittens—true babies—need very special, around-the-clock care, which requires commitment and experience. We feel that caring for this population is best left to those with experience. You might think about fostering a baby kitten which could lead to adoption. Good Home would, however, still very much be at the helm of their care until they are fully ready for adoption.
Can I adopt a baby kitten from Good Home?
Kittens 6 months and under are generally not adopted out alone. There are occasional exceptions, but it is not the norm. Most kittens will have been in foster care with a playmate or sibling and we will look for placement for them with this counterpart, or they will need to be adopted into a home where there is already a friendly cat or kitten.