Adoption FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How much Does Adoption cost?
Please see each cat's adoption profile.
Depending on where you live, Seattle or other municipality pet licensing fee may apply.
Do you have kittens up for adoption?
Kittens rarely get sent to Seattle Meowtropolian. They usually go like hot cakes at our partnering shelter so we focus on ones that need a little bit of help getting adopted. They are usually six months or older.
If you are determined to get a kitten, you can try our shelter RASKC! Or give our friends at Seattle Area Feline Rescue, Cat City Paws, Seattle Humane Society, and Seattle Animal Shelter a try!
What’s included in the adoption cost?
All of our cats going home with you will have received:
- A basic vet exam by RASKC veterinary team
- Spay / neuter surgery by RASKC veterinary team
- Microchipping
- Initial vaccinations (including rabies if pet is over four months old)
- Opt in 30 days of free health insurance from Trupanion
The adoption fee also contributes to the well-being of our current cats and supports our ability to take in more cats in the future.
It’s also a good idea to consider the additional costs of taking care of a cat. Additional expenses for a new cat lord may include food and water bowls, toys, bedding, litter box. Ongoing expenses can include food, litter, grooming, flea prevention, vaccinations and other medical expenses.
What are your adoption policies?
All potential adopters must be 18 years or older and be able to show a photo ID at the time of adoption
We welcome those who rent
We welcome the giving of pets as gifts
We welcome adopters of all lifestyles, including those with children or other pets. However, based on the individual needs of each cat, we may determine that a cat would do best in a home without children or other pets.
We ask that you do NOT declaw the cat
We ask that the cats remain indoor only or have supervised outdoor time (i.e. enclosure/leashed)
Adopters must be able to provide food, water, enrichment, and necessary medical treatment at all times
How long does the adoption process take?
We are not a high volume adoption agency. Over the years we find that frequent changes in the clowder population can be very stressful for the cats in the clowder. Therefore we try to maintain a healthy population and adopt at a steady pace. Once a cat is open for applications, the application is typically processed in 2-8 weeks. However, the process can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the current status of the overall population.
How it works:
- Application Opens: A cat is accepting adoption applications.
- Applications closes: If a cat have received enough applications to select a home, we will stop taking applications for the cat.
- Application review date—all applications will be reviewed, we may reach out with further questions before we make our final decision
- Once a home has been selected we will proceed with paperwork and scheduling an adoption pick up day
- After the cat has been adopted we will notify all other applicants
Because our adoption process can take a little longer, if you are wanting to adopt a cat sooner, we recommend checking out the cats at our partner shelter Regional Animal Services of King County or the many wonderful local cat rescues.
We receive many applications for our cats and if you are not selected please understand that we try our best to do what is best for our cats. While we understand this may be disappointing, we suggest applying for one of our other adoptable cats or checking out the other wonderful cats over with our friends at RASKC.
What if I adopt a cat and despite best sincere effort, it just doesn’t work out?
Our adoption team will do everything they can to help ensure success for you and your new family member. However, we understand that sometimes an adoption may not work out as planned. If that happens, we will work with you to figure out a plan or you may return the cat to us within 30 days of the date of adoption.
What is the difference between Ambassadors and Cats accepting applications?
All cats, except our permanent residents, will eventually be adoptable. Not all of the cats we receive are suited for a long stay at the cat café, so we prioritize adoptions for those we believe would thrive better in their own homes. Ambassadors are cats that have adapted well to lounge life, are friendly to other cats and people of all ages, and seem to enjoy life at the cat café. These cats serve as role models for new arrivals to make their transition to the cat café less stressful. When the time is right, each ambassador will start to accept applications.