I’m taking care of a friend’s cat, giving it shelter at my apartment. But I can’t afford to take care of the cat or the owner, who is in a halfway house in a different city and hasn’t been responsible. I haven’t received any money for the cat’s food and litter, so I’ve been using my limited resources. The animal shelter in town is closed, so I can’t call them for another 36 hours. I don’t want to send the cat to a shelter, and I’m worried about the costs and the cat’s future. Does it always cost money to surrender a cat?
Some places charge a fee, while others don’t. It’s often a one-time fee. Call your local humane society and see if there are any rescues that might take the cat for free.
You might not be charged if you explain the situation to the shelter. You found the cat abandoned and can’t care for it. Consider calling animal control too.
Some shelters have food and litter donations, so check if your local humane society has a pet food pantry.
You can post an ad online to find the kitty a new home. Ask for a small adoption fee and screen potential adopters carefully.
Some shelters have night drop-off areas, but it’s best to tell them the truth about the cat’s situation. They might waive the fee if they understand it was abandoned.