Flake
Frequently Asked Questions
I am interested in adopting a kitty, what should I consider before applying?
How long will my application take?
How does the adoption application work?
Once a cat is ready to be adopted, they will appear with a summary of their personality/traits on our website. We consider applicants in the order in which they applied and on a cat by cat basis, however, we will prioritise the best match for each kitty. When we find a good possible match, we reach out for an initial phone screen to talk more about why you are looking to adopt a kitty, what plans you have for the kitty (e.g. pet insurance, vet, etc) and about the environment in which the kitty will live (e.g. who will he/she live with and where). Once that is cleared, you will be set-up for a visit to meet the kitty at the foster's house (during COVID-19 this will be done via a video call). If you are approved and you are happy with the kitty, we will email you the adoption paperwork to be filled in and signed and details of our bank account for transfer of the Adoption Donation. A member of our team will then bring your kitty to your home where a home check will be carried out. The process can be halted at any stage if a member of the team has any concerns about the suitability of the adoption or environment. Our sole concern is the welfare of the cat. If the physical meeting of kitty and adopter is not successful we will immediately take back the kitty.
We encourage you to give yourself and your new feline friend adequate time to adjust to the new living arrangement, especially if you have existing cat(s). There are a number of steps you can take to practically aid with the adjustment. Please have a look at the link here for some tips and the link here if you are looking to adopt but already have a kitty. If your new kitty is unable to settle into your home well, or if for any other reason, things don’t work out, L.I.C.K is happy to take the kitty back for rehoming.
Please ensure you follow the necessary guidelines to ensure your kitty has the optimum experience moving into their own home. Please have a look at the link here for some tips.
I want to adopt a kitty; how much will it cost me?
The adoption donation for an adult or kitten is £80, or £150 to adopt two. Of course, if you’re feeling generous or wish to include L.I.C.K in your annual charitable giving, we will always gladly accept additional donations. 100% of donations go to vet bills and are tax deductible, which can be made through PayPal Giving Fund, the DONATE button on our Facebook profile, the DONATE button on our Instagram Profile or if you prefer to transfer, please contact us to obtain the bank details.
Are kitties neutered?
Will the kitty be vaccinated, de-wormed and de flead when I get them?
All efforts are made to have adult kitties up to date with all vaccinations and treatments before they are adopted out, however, in the current Covid climate, there may be exceptions to this. Kittens are dewormed and deflead.
Will you rehome outside London?
We are a charity that focuses on the London area. With our current resources, this allows us to rehome the greatest number of kitties and ensure that they can all receive proper veterinary attention before they are adopted. In rare cases, we have been able to find an incredibly loving home for a kitty in London’s surrounding areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic it may not be possible to rehome outside London as we have to focus our efforts locally. However, we might consider a home outside of London for outdoor cats who are looking for safe outdoor space far away from busy roads. If you live outside London and you are looking to adopt or foster a cat, please check out CatChat.org for a list of shelters and rescue organisations in your area.
I’ve applied to foster. When will I hear back?
Thank you for applying! We currently have many more applications than kitties available for fostering, and we may not be able to come back to you individually in the short term. Please bear in mind that we will keep your details in our system, and we will be in touch with you if we find a good match. However, please keep in mind, that we are currently only able to accept fosterers to the current areas: E1, E2, E5, E8, E9, E13, E15, E20, N1, N5, N7, N16. This helps us ensure that we are logistically able to pick up a kitty for any vet visits within a reasonable distance.
I’ve applied to adopt but I haven’t heard anything?
If I adopt a kitty through L.I.C.K what will you provide?
When should I neuter my cat?
What security measures should I consider?
Please look at cat proofing your balcony. Kitties can be injured from falling from even as low as a first floor apartment. For any windows that may be opened (even from time to time), please consider a protective screen - kitties of all ages are very inquisitive and can easily get out of windows. Lastly - please be extra careful with your household plants. Many household plants are toxic to kitties - lilies in particular, can kill! For list of toxic plants to be aware of, please see this guidance from PetMD.
How often should I deflea and deworm my kitty?
It is recommended that adult kitties are dewormed at least once every three months, one for each season. Kittens can be dewormed from 2 weeks old. Kitties should be deflead monthly. Please consult your veterinarian for the best treatment for your kitty.
Does an indoor kitty need regular flea treatments?
Absolutely! Please treat them on a regular basis, as you may unknowingly come into contact with fleas outside of the home.
Does my cat need insurance?
Yes! We recommend that you look into getting pet insurance as soon as possible. Some vets are able to offer PetPlan for free for 1 month. Please ask your vet about this if you are interested. We suggest that you research the best pet insurance that suits your needs. If the kitty you adopt has a pre-existing condition, there are health insurance plans that can still offer your pet coverage.
Do I need to register my kitty with the vet?
We suggest that you register your kitty with the vet as soon as possible. This will ensure that you are ready in case there are any emergencies. Some vets and 24 hour animal clinics require pre registration, so it’s best to do some research about the vets around your area to find the most suitable one for you and your new kitty.
Do you have a policy on adopting kittens together in pairs or on their own? I just want to adopt one kitten. Can I still apply?
Do you rehome kitties indoor or outdoor? Most of the charities in London require adopters to have a garden, but I notice most of the cats for adoption are listed as indoor only, how come?
Our stance is that it may not be in the best interest of every cat to be an outdoor kitty due to all the health and safety risks they face in a busy urban setting such as London. We have seen cats who have had terrible run-ins with foxes, cars, and even malicious humans, and we always consider the wellbeing of the cat as a priority. Unless a cat has a good reason to be outdoors, and a safe garden or outdoor space in which to do that, lots of evidence shows that cats can live healthy, full lives indoors and that this can potentially even increase their longevity. We do get certain kitties who are accustomed to going outdoors, and in these cases we will find them an adopter who can safely offer them this option.
Do kitties get FiV / FeLV tested?
We have started testing adult cats for FIV/FeLV at the time of neutering. If you have a specific concern or want to ensure that a kitty was tested, please let us know about this during the adoption process.
I want to edit my application, should I submit a new one?
I rent my home, am I able to adopt?
Yes! We do require all home renters and owners to check if they have permission before applying to adopt or foster.
Do you have a shelter or adoption centre?
I have a cat that needs rescuing or rehoming. Can you help?
We are committed to helping any kitty in need. If you or someone you know are no longer able to take care of your/their kitties, we can assist with finding them a new home. PLEASE don't abandon kitties! We are a small volunteer-run charity and we do not have a dedicated rescue team, but we work with a network of trappers and rescuers who may be able to support. If you are in urgent need, we would direct you to look at rescue centres listed on CatChat.org. If you have already reached out to London’s larger more established cat charities or your local rescue group and have not received any response, please contact our Emergency Phoneline. We are a small, volunteer-run charity, and are working to build our resources to expand our rescue work, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to help.
How have you adapted the adoption and fostering processes to meet government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Where do my donations go to?
L.I.C.K. is an entirely volunteer run not-for-profit charity. L.I.C.K. makes no profit, and no funds go towards any administrative costs. All donations go directly towards funding the cost of veterinary visits for the cats and kittens. L.I.C.K. maintains a special relationship with a vet that offers charity prices in order to make the donations cover as many costs as possible for the benefit of the cats. All donations towards L.I.C.K. are tax deductible.
Are you accepting adoptions at this time?
I can see you are no longer taking new applications, will you still consider mine if I have already applied?
Yes, if you have submitted an application already, your application will be reviewed by our team. Feel free to continue to add new cats to your existing application for consideration via social media or email.