Surrendering Your Cat
Surrender As A Last Option
There are instances when a pet must be surrendered to a shelter, but surrendering a pet should be your last option; not your first.
Surrendering Due To Behavior
If you’re considering surrendering a cat due to behavioral concerns like house soiling or scratching, our initial suggestion is to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues. There are many free resources on the internet to help point you in the right direction for additional advice.
Surrendering Because of Age
The Westfield Homeless Cat Project advises against surrendering senior cats to prevent trauma and stress. If you’re unable to keep an old but healthy cat, try to find it a home with friends or family. The smoothest transition for your beloved involves going from sleeping on your bed one night to the bed of someone familiar the next night.
If You Must Surrender A Cat (Owned or Stray)
The Westfield Homeless Cat Project accepts cats and kittens for intake as space and resources allow. Parting with a cat is a difficult decision, but finding them new, loving homes is crucial to our mission.
Please contact us to learn how we might be able to help. Surrenders are made by appointment only.
If room is available, we will ask you to fill out a release form. In order for us to continue our work, a donation must be made on behalf of the cat or kitten being surrendered, regardless of whether this cat or kitten was owned by you or was found as a stray. This cat or kitten will remain in our care and will receive medical attention. It will reside at our shelter until a suitable home can be found. If you are not willing to make a donation, we will not be able to accept this cat or kitten.
Above all, do not abandon your pet. It cannot care for itself on its own nor is it likely that it will be found and taken in by a loving stranger. It is against the law in Massachusetts to abandon a pet. The punishment is a $2500 fine.