I am interested in adopting a kitty, what should I consider before applying?

We have put together this list of FAQs to help. Please read these FAQs thoroughly about adopting a L.I.C.K. kitty before applying to adopt. Out of consideration for the time and energy of our small adoptions team, we ask that you apply only when certain that you are ready and able to adopt. Please ensure you have the appropriate permissions to receive a kitty into your home and you have discussed thoroughly with your family or housemates/flatmates and everyone agrees to commit to provide a forever home for the kitty.

How long will my application take?

Adoptions are done by cat not by applicant. We can receive dozens of applications for a kitty and when he/she is considered for adoption all the applications are reviewed to select the best match. This process is done thoroughly by our adoption team and can take some time when there is a large number of applications. Therefore it is very difficult to provide a fixed time period but we work as quickly as possible so our kitties can move into their new forever homes. If your application is not selected, we will keep it in case we find another possible match. However, if you want to ensure that you are considered for other kitties, please message us on social media so we can ammend your application.

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?

All L.I.C.K. adult cats are neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms. All kittens are treated for fleas and worms. Every animal has been checked by our vet. The adults are all neutered. Please note that this might not be possible due to COVID-19 limitations. We will discuss any occasions if any of this is not possible and any medical considerations during the adoption process.

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, we are not able to do vaccinations. 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?

Thank you for applying! We are currently busy at work processing a high volume of applications and so there may be a delay in coming back to you. We have your details in our system, and we will reach out if we find a good match for an initial phone screening. If this initial phone screening were to be successful, we would then put you in touch with the fosterer so you can meet the kitty. This Is currently done via a video call. We try to make this process as speedy as we can, but as some kitties can get a lot of attention and others very little or none, this can have an effect on timelines. We are considering all applications on an individual basis for each kitty, in the order that applications come in. Our priority is always the kitty’s well-being, and finding the best home for them. Please keep in mind that preference will be given to an adopter that best matches the kitty, e.g. if a specific kitty is best to be rehomed to a home with other kitties. We will also consider house safety (plants, windows, balconies), busy roads for outdoor cats and we may also take location into account due to Covid travel restrictions. If you see a kitty on our website that you would like to be considered for, please message us on social media.

If I adopt a kitty through L.I.C.K what will you provide?

If you adopt a kitty with L.I.C.K., our hope and expectation is that you prepare your home for your new family member. For foster cats, we will provide the cat and will pick them up with a carrier from the charity. If not done beforehand or if they are needed, we will provide deworm and de flea treatments as well as any medication the cat needs. The fosterers are required to provide litter, litter tray, water, food and care. Adopters are required to provide litter, a suitable litter tray, water, food and care for the kitty. We suggest looking into vets as well as pet insurance.

When should I neuter my cat?

Please consult your vet regarding the best age for neutering as it can vary, but it is normally between 3 and 6 months. Please be aware that kittens can get pregnant from around 4 months of age.

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?

L.I.C.K. keeps kittens in pairs, especially if they are bonded. Sometimes this means we also aim to keep a kitten with its mother. Cat learn cat behaviours by socialising with other cats, so it is always best for kitties to have a friend from a young age. Kittens are highly social animals, and form important bonds with friends and siblings, so we always pair kittens for adoption whenever possible. Kittens who are solo will be adopted only into homes where another young cat is already present. This helps ensure our kittens will have a rich social life and a lifelong friend. Additionally, kittens are highly adaptable when they are young and this reduces with age. Kittens homed on their own risk having behavioural issues when they grow up like bitting and scratching, a kitten friend helps them understand their boundaries. These behavioural issue is one of the main reasons why people rehome single cats. If you are looking to home one kitten, please think about the reasons why you want to rehome 1 kitten and consider rehoming two instead. This will give the pair a better chance at a healthier and happier life in the longterm.
Read more about the importance of kittens growing up in pairs here.

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 outdoor space (catio or cat fence) in which to do so, then we advise against it. There is lots of evidence that shows 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?

If you see a kitty on our website or featured on our social media that you would like to be considered for, or if your circumstances have changed and you would like to edit any part of your application, please email us or direct message us on social media. Please do not submit a new application as it will confuse our system and any duplicate applications will be marked as a duplicate.

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?

No, L.I.C.K. does not have a physical facility or adoption centre. We operate through our fosterer network. Kitties stay with their fosterer until they are ready to be adopted.

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. We are currently we are over capacity and are unable to take in any more cats - please get in touch with CatChat.org if there is a kitty that needs help. If you are concerned about a cat outside that is un-hurt, please do not take them in if you don't have space for them, until you have established that a charity has room for them.

How have you adapted the adoption and fostering processes to meet government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic?

​Under current circumstances we had to stop “meet the kitty” visits between potential adopters and fosterers. Potential adopters can meet their kitty through a video call with his/her fosterer instead. House checks will also be done mostly through videos and photos. If you have been successfully approved for adoption, one of our volunteers will bring the kitty to your home, they will be following our covid risk assessment guidelines to ensure the following of government guidelines. Please let us know if you are not comfortable with the volunteer coming into your home.

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 and care 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.

How do I know which kitties are up for adoption or which kitties have already been adopted?

As soon as a kitty is available for adoption, we will post it in the adoptions page. Sometimes we will also promote the kitty on social media as well. However, the website will contain the most up to date information, so please use this as a guidance. Kitties are removed once they go to their forever homes.