Make Adoption Your First Option
Looking for a cat? We have a wide variety of rescued kitties cat breeds and personalities in search of forever homes. Check out our Petfinder listings or Facebook page to see some available pets, or better yet, pay a visit to our shelter and meet our cats in person! We are open by appointment only from 9 AM to 5 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Call the shelter at 828-293-0892.
If you are unable to adopt on a permanent basis but have the space and inclination, you may be able to help us out by temporarily fostering a cat or kitten(s). In order to be a foster, you need to become an established volunteer.
If you are unable to adopt on a permanent basis but have the space and inclination, you may be able to help us out by temporarily fostering a cat or kitten(s). In order to be a foster, you need to become an established volunteer.
Adoption Fees
What does the adoption fee cover?
How do I adopt a cat?
Will my new cat be microchipped?
Will my new cat be de-clawed?
How successful are your adoptions?
- Our fair adoption fee is $60 per cat/kitten. We sometimes offer a discount on certain senior cats to approved adopters. We do not charge extra based on the breed of the cat - we treat the tabby and black cats with the same respect and dignity as the Persian and Siamese. Donations in excess of the adoption fee are encouraged and appreciated.
What does the adoption fee cover?
- Each cat has been tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and is spayed or neutered. They receive core vaccines: rabies and feline distemper, and are treated for parasites. Each cat receives any other necessary veterinary care that they require which can include emergency medical care and expensive surgeries. Additionally, our cats are all micro-chipped and adopters are offered free 30 days of pet insurance. The $60 adoption fee does not account for the food, care, or space your cat has occupied at the shelter. Sixty dollars is about 1/3-1/2 of the cost to prepare them for adoption. Donations in excess of the adoption fee are encouraged and appreciated.
How do I adopt a cat?
- You can browse our adoptable cats on Facebook and Petfinder, or come visit! Our short n' sweet application can be found here. [Please note that we cannot process applications on weekends or holidays.] When you visit the shelter and speak with the shelter manager, you will be asked questions about your home environment and life style that will help us help you find the perfect match. You will then fill out the paperwork, pay the fee (cash or check, please), and your cat will be all set to go home with you! Please bring your own crate/pet taxi - you will need one if you have a cat! We require that all adopted cats must leave the shelter in a carrier - this is for the safety of your new cat.
Will my new cat be microchipped?
- All of our cats will be micro-chipped via 24PetWatch and we register the chip for you, and all adopters will be offered 30 days of pet health insurance.
Will my new cat be de-clawed?
- We DO NOT SUPPORT DE-CLAWING, and we never de-claw our cats under any circumstances. We occasionally receive cats that are de-clawed, so please adopt one of them instead of putting another animal through such a procedure. We will be happy to give you advice on how to provide proper scratching material and how to discourage inappropriate scratching. We have had many declawed cats over the years and +90% of them have had either litter box aversion or aggressive behavioral issues (biting) or both - please don't de-claw your feline friend.
How successful are your adoptions?
- Most adoptions work out beautifully! You can read some testimonials from people who are living happy lives with their new furry housemates on the Happy Tails page (under construction). We have a full return policy and will take the cat back if the adoption isn't a happy one for you or our kitty. We are committed to helping match adopters with the perfect cat for them - if we don't have a good match for you, we will try to refer you to another rescue or shelter!
Mateo and Mason were two very sick kittens when we rescued them and both had to have emergency care. Thanks to quick action, both boys got better and went on to find loving homes.
Things to Consider Before Adopting a Cat
- Cats need a good, nutritious diet. We recommend that you feed your adopted cat Purina Cat Chow and Friskies canned food, as that is the diet to which (s)he has been accustomed while living at our shelter. Diet changes should be made gradually. You get what you pay for – many brands are full of filler and lack the nutrition your cat needs. We recommend The Pet Stop in Sylva for higher quality foods.
- Choosing the right cat litter for you and your cat can be tricky and also adds to the monthly costs of sharing your life with a cat. Are you willing to clean your cat’s litter box daily?
- Unless otherwise agreed upon, we want most of our cats to go to indoor-only homes. Indoor cats live longer and healthier lives. Are your windows/screens/doors secure enough to keep your cat from slipping outside? Are there other people in the home who will stay vigilant about not letting the cat out?
- Do you have hazardous materials properly secured? Cats seem to get into everything! Medicines, certain house plants, chemicals, etc. all need to be kept away from your new cat.
- Cats need a scratching post. You can get fancy with a big cat tree or keep it simple with a small rug or cardboard scratcher (added catnip optional). You will sign a contract that states that you will not declaw your cat. Provide him or her with a proper place to scratch. Scratching is natural for a cat and should not be punished, but should be encouraged to be done in appropriate places.
- Cats need to be seen regularly by a veterinarian. What if your cat gets sick or hurt? Will you be able to afford his or her veterinary care? Will you take him/her for regular physical exams? For vaccine updates?
- Are you able to keep your cat comfortable and free of internal and external parasites?
- It costs roughly $600-$2,000 per year to be a responsible cat owner. Are you able and willing to provide that?
- Most cats thrive on attention from their people. Are you willing to devote time each day to your new cat? Adopting two cats is recommended so that they can keep each other company while you do whatever it is that humans do when they are not petting their cats.
Versace really blossomed in her new home! Here she is snoozing next to her adopted family.
Call during business hours to make an appointment to meet the cat of your dreams! 828-293-0892
Hours of operation:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Monday - 9am-5pm
Tuesday - 9am-5pm
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday - 9am-5pm
Friday - 9am-5pm
Saturday - CLOSED
Sunday - 9am-5pm
We are a unique shelter with only one employee who handles every aspect of shelter operations. Please be sure to call ahead so we can schedule errands, meetings, and vet appointments around your visit.
Hours of operation:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Monday - 9am-5pm
Tuesday - 9am-5pm
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday - 9am-5pm
Friday - 9am-5pm
Saturday - CLOSED
Sunday - 9am-5pm
We are a unique shelter with only one employee who handles every aspect of shelter operations. Please be sure to call ahead so we can schedule errands, meetings, and vet appointments around your visit.
Katrina found a loving AND fashionable home :)
We are located 3 miles from Western Carolina University. Many students wish to adopt a pet, though many do not have the resources and ability to care for a pet properly. We require all potential adopters to show proof of permission to have a pet from the landlord and proof of paid pet deposit if required. College is a transitional time where one’s living and financial situation can change often – adopting a pet is a commitment to that animal for his/her lifetime.
Alternately, students can come spend time at the shelter and get their cat fix by giving the shelter cats attention without the 15-20 year commitment!
Alternately, students can come spend time at the shelter and get their cat fix by giving the shelter cats attention without the 15-20 year commitment!
The Catman2 Guarantee
Our cats come with satisfaction or a full refund! All our cats have been:
- seen by a veterinarian
- tested negative for feline leukemia
- vaccinated with core vaccines (distemper and rabies)
- spayed or neutered
- treated for parasites
- micro-chipped
- provided with any additional medical care, special treatments, surgeries, etc needed while in our care
- certified pre-loved!
Our fee of $60 is fully refundable upon the return of the cat if you and your cat are not compatible. We are invested in the success of the adoption, so we are always willing to provide support and advise adopters.