Cat Surrenders

Giving up your cat is a difficult decision. Due to the overwhelming number of cats needing homes in our community, please exhaust all other options before surrendering your cat to a shelter. Despite our efforts to keep the cats in our care healthy, comfortable and socialized, the shelter is a stressful environment, even for the friendliest cat. Our staff is here to help with advice on how to keep your cat in your home or if necessary, we will help with information or advice on re-homing your feline companion.

If you have found a cat...
Please consider that there may be an owner out there looking for their lost pet. Please contact your local animal control facility to file a lost report or take the cat to their facility. Posters in the neighborhood with a picture and description will also help to reunite lost pets with their owners. We do not accept stray or found animals at our adoption center.

Why do you need to give up your cat?
Below are some of the most common reasons that people have for surrendering their cat. Click on any of the following for more information.

·        My cat is not using the litterbox

·        I am moving and am having trouble finding a place to live

·        Foreclosure

·        I am worried about the transition when I move

·        Due to allergies

·        I’m having a baby

·        My cat is not adjusting to our new home

·        We have a new cat and they are not getting along

·        We have a dog and are having trouble with the introduction

·        Behavioral Issues

·        Clawing the Furniture

·        My cat is bored

Do you need further behavioral advice for your pet?
Before surrendering your cat, maybe we can help you keep your cat in your home! Call our Cat Behavior Line anytime: 510.563.4633 for free advice.

Do you need to give up your cat immediately?
If you need to give up your pet immediately, or if you do not believe that your pet would pass our criteria, you can surrender your cat to your local animal services facility at any time. Please check with the appropriate organization on their process for accepting your pet.

What is it like for a cat in an animal shelter?
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to the animals in our care and all attempts are made to ease their transition. Despite our best efforts to reduce this stressful environment, there are many stress factors to shelter life, such as dogs barking, strange voices, various smells from other cats and dogs, as well as the general stress of being in a new and foreign environment. Cats are extremely sensitive animals, who are creatures of habit and are affected by any change in their usual routine. For a shy or reserved cat, shelter life can be incredible stressful.

What other options do I have?

·        Word of mouth can go a long way. Explain your situation to friends and family to see if anyone can help by either taking the cat into their home or by providing temporary housing while you locate another home.
·        Post flyers and descriptions of your pet on local bulletin boards or on the web.
·        Figure out a way to keep your pet, by calling for advice.

I have read the above information and am still in interested in surrendering my cat to the East Bay SPCA. What do I do now?
The East Bay SPCA accepts owner surrender cats on a limited intake basis. Please complete the Surrender Request Form and a representative will contact you to set up an appointment or for further information. Please be sure you have read through our criteria for accepting animals into our program. Our surrender fee is $25 per cat.