Adopting a cat is something that you should ensure you make time to consider and research the time and financial commitments of. It's a decision that may affect the next twenty years of your life.
We consider each and every potential adopter as an individual and will review each situation independently to make sure that both cat and adopter are best suited to one another.
The Mayhew's preference is to adopt out cats to homes where they can have direct access to a garden, particularly in the case of kittens and young cats. However an indoor-only home is not out of the question and we may sometimes have cats who are only suited to an indoor life, or perhaps a flat with a balcony. This is something you will need to discuss with our Adoption Officer in your appointment after you have filled in our Adoption Questionnaire. Our adoption process follows:
1. Fill in an adoption questionnaire
To understand your needs as a cat owner, we ask all potential adopters to fill in an adoption questionnaire. This can be done when you visit, or to save you time, can be downloaded, printed and filled in at home.
2. Visit us for a cat viewing
Next, come to The Mayhew, meet our adoptions officers and hopefully meet a suitable cat! Our animal home is in Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green (not in the congestion charging zone) and you can visit on:
Adopting a cat is something that you should take time to consider: It's a decision that may affect the next twenty years of your life.
- Afternoons Tuesday - Friday: 12 noon - 3.30pm
- Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment only
No appointment is necessary during the week, but these sessions can become very busy and you should expect a wait, though you can do this comfortably in our spacious reception and browse the folders of some very adorable animals awaiting new homes!
The process on Saturdays is similar, however you must book an appointment on 020 8969 0178. Priority will always be given to those with appointments, though please note that appointments cannot be made to view a specific animal.
Please note that if you don't own the property that you live in, we must see written approval from a landlord or tenancy organisation before we can reserve a cat to you for adoption. The adoption process will be vastly speeded up if you can bring an approval letter to your cat viewing.
During your visit, you'll discuss your adoption questionnaire with our adoptions officer and if we have a suitable cat at The Mayhew, you'll be introduced to them!
If your visit is successful and you are introduced to a cat which you like, you're then welcome to pay the adoption fee which is currently £75.00 and our adoptions officer will arrange your home visit.
Our cat adoption fee includes:
- Neutering
- Micro-chipping
- First vaccinations
- De-fleaing and Worming treatment
- Full veterinary health check
- Starter pack of food
- One year′s Friends of The Mayhew membership
- Access to our behaviour and advice helpline
We also run guided tours of The Mayhew for those simply interested in our work, but not looking to rehome.
Guided tours
If you're interested in the work of The Mayhew but not looking to adopt, we offer a guided tour every Saturday, Sunday and Monday commencing at 2.00pm sharp (depending on staff availability). This is a great opportunity to look around The Mayhew, however if you see an animal that you would like to adopt, you must come back for an animal viewing session.
More in depth one-on-one tours can be organised for Friends of The Mayhew. You can find out more about Friends of The Mayhew here
3. Receive a home visit
Prior to collecting your new cat from The Mayhew, one of our team of home visitors will briefly need to visit your home. This is usually a simple affair, taking place in the days after your visit to The Mayhew, confirming that all details in the adoption questionnaire are accurate, and that nothing has been overlooked, however it can occasionally bring up issues which will need to be addressed before adoption can take place.
The Mayhew Animal Home believe strongly in the importance of home visits as we understand the stress that can be caused to cats, and indeed families if problems arise later and the cat needs to be returned to The Mayhew.
4. Collect your new cat!
With your home visit successfully completed, you're now able to collect your new companion! This normally takes place on Saturday from 10am until noon and you should be prepared to stay for the whole session. Outtakes usually take place as a group and include the a short talk from our adoption officer and then completion of the necessary paperwork.
Whilst at The Mayhew, you may also wish to have a look at our fully stocked shop where you can purchase bedding, food, toys and treats for your new companion.
Please read our rehoming disclaimer
Rehoming Disclaimer
The Mayhew Animal Home cannot guarantee that any animal seen on this website will be suitable for an individual prospective owner.
The animals displayed here are currently in our care. They have differing needs and can only be matched accurately to a new home once one of our adoption officers has interviewed a prospective new owner. Please be aware that under no circumstances can we reserve an animal until an interview has been completed. Please note that you have to be 18 years old or over to adopt an animal from us.
The Mayhew Animal Home cannot guarantee that any animal seen on the website will be at the centre on visiting.
Animals are continually adopted from our organisation. Although this site is regularly updated, there may be occasions when an animal appearing on the website has already been adopted. We are able to confirm by telephone or email if a particular animal is still available but we do urge you to visit as we always have many animals waiting for new homes.
The Mayhew Animal Home cannot accept responsibility for the temperament of any animal once it has been adopted.
All Mayhew animals are animals given thorough health and temperament assessments. This gives us an insight into the animals' character and enables us to make a considered decision as to which type of home would be best for the animal. However, once an animal has settled into a new home, their behaviour can sometimes alter. The Mayhew Animal Home can only assess an animal on the behaviour it displays whilst in our care. We offer support for anyone experiencing behavioural difficulties with their pet after adoption and at any time in the animals' life.
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