How to find a cat adoption event and what to prepare before attending

The number of people who "want to welcome a rescue cat into their family" is increasing.

There are various ways to meet a rescue cat, but the first thing that probably comes to mind is an adoption event. An adoption event is a place for rescue cats and prospective adopters to meet, organized by public health centers, animal welfare centers, and rescue organizations.

However, not much is known about how to find adoption events or what preparations are needed. Some people might even feel hesitant to attend an adoption event.

Therefore, this time, I would like to explain in detail everything from how to find a rescue cat adoption event, to the process of becoming an adopter, and what to keep in mind before attending an adoption event.

First of all, what exactly is a rescue cat?

そもそも、保護猫とは？

Rescue cats are cats that have been rescued due to various circumstances.

These include cats without owners rescued from accidents or injuries, kittens separated from their mothers, abandoned cats, cats rescued from multi-cat hoarding situations, and cats that have escaped and become lost.

Also, stray cats rescued by volunteers to eliminate the culling of cats are also called "rescue cats."

Cats have a very strong reproductive capacity and can give birth several times a year. The result of too many stray cats is the tragic fate of culling... To prevent culling, many volunteer organizations are working to rescue stray and abandoned cats and find adoptive homes for them.

How to Find Rescue Cat Adoption Events

保護猫の譲渡会の探し方

When people want to get a cat, the option of adopting a rescue cat instead of buying one from a pet shop has become quite well-known.

To become a rescue cat adopter, first, participate in an "adoption event."

Participating in a Rescue Cat Adoption Event

Many people are unsure where rescue cat adoption events are held or if they can freely participate.

Rescue cat adoption events are organized by local government public health centers, animal welfare centers, NPO corporations, and volunteer organizations that operate rescue cat shelters.

First, try searching the internet with "[region name] x adoption event." For example, searching for "rescue cat adoption event Tokyo," "rescue cat adoption event Saitama," or "rescue cat adoption event Chiba" will help you find information in your vicinity.

It's a good idea to check beforehand what kind of cats will be attending, if reservations are required, and what the adoption conditions and fees are.

▼ You can also find adoption event information on the pet adoption website "Pet no Ouchi".

https://www.pet-home.jp/event/

Actively utilize online adoption events as well

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rescue cat adoption events have had to be canceled. An idea that emerged from this difficult situation is the "online adoption event." You can see cats relaxing freely through online streaming, so please give it a try.

Rescue Cat and Dog Matching Site "OMUSUBI"

You might find a match at a rescue cat cafe.

A rescue cat cafe is a cafe that also functions as a shelter for rescue cats. While you can interact freely with cats just like in a regular cat cafe, a key feature is that all the cats are available for adoption.

You can carefully check your compatibility with a cat in an environment similar to your home. Also, the proceeds from rescue cat cafes are used for rescue cat activities, so even if you can't adopt, you can still help rescue cats.

Process for Permanent Adoption of a Rescue Cat

保護猫の正式譲渡までの流れ

Even if you meet a cat you want to adopt at a rescue cat adoption event or a rescue cat cafe, you cannot simply take them home right away.

Official adoption occurs after a home visit to confirm the living environment and a trial period during which you live together on a trial basis. As mentioned earlier, rescue cats have been rescued due to various circumstances. To ensure they never suffer again, the conditions for adoption are strictly defined.

Adoption Fees

To become an adopter of a rescue cat, the basic principle is to pay the medical expenses incurred since the cat was rescued, such as vaccinations, examinations, and spay/neuter surgeries, as an adoption fee. Other costs may also arise.

Mindset Before Attending a Rescue Cat Adoption Event

保護猫の譲渡会に行く前の心構え

To become an adopter of a rescue cat, "keeping the cat strictly indoors" and "lifelong care" are absolute conditions.

In addition, stable income, family consent, and the length of time the cat would be left alone are also subject to review. Depending on the cat's condition, single individuals or seniors may be denied adoption.

Strict adoption conditions can sometimes lead to problems. However, for the cat's well-being, it seems like a necessary step.

Adopting a pet, not just a rescue cat, means taking responsibility for a life.

Rescue cats are not inherently immune to illness. As they age, they will require specialized therapeutic diets, so medical and food expenses will be higher than imagined. Air conditioning is essential in both summer and winter, which adds to electricity costs. During shedding season, hair will fly everywhere in the room.

You can't just adopt because they're "cute." If you're going to a rescue cat adoption event to adopt, that kind of mindset is also necessary.

Summary

まとめ

"Rescue cats" are cats that have been rescued due to various circumstances and are waiting for adoptive families. Furthermore, I would like you to know about cats called "community cats."

To prevent lives from being culled, stray cats also need to be spayed or neutered. Activities called TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), where stray cats are caught, spayed/neutered, and returned to their original locations, are also carried out nationwide.

Cats that have undergone spay/neuter surgery and returned to outdoor life are called "community cats." Have you ever seen cats with triangular notches on their ears in parks? The ear cut is a mark indicating they have been spayed or neutered.

Both caring for rescue cats and finding adopters for them, as well as providing medical care and looking after community cats, are done by volunteers free of charge. The costs of these activities are also covered by donations.

Poponeko also contributes a portion of its sales to organizations involved in rescue cat and community cat activities to help as much as possible. I want you to know that there are ways to support beyond becoming a rescue cat adopter.