Adoption FAQs

You adopt a cat or dog from Bath Cats and Dogs Home by completing our online adoption registration form – you only need to fill it in once.

As each animal becomes available to adopt, we check our register for good matches and actively contact you, rather than asking you to choose from a list on our website.

In the registration, we'll also ask for:

•    One photo of your garden

•    One photo of the main room where your new pet will spend most of their time

This helps us understand your home and match you with the right pet.

Timing is important - you want the first few months of your new pet’s life with you to be stable and predictable. They need to learn their new routines, and you all need to bond.

Some common reasons when you should wait to register

If you have a holiday coming up. Even if you would be taking your pet with you on holiday, doing so in the first few months of adoption is just too many changes for a dog or cat to cope with. 

If you are about to do any house renovations or decorating. There’s a lot of noise, changes to room layouts and strangers around the house. Cats in particular hate renovation times.

If you are moving house. Having to learn new locations, smells and all the packing and unpacking – way too much to cope with when they are still settling in.

If someone new is joining the family, or someone is leaving. Your pet needs to bond with your core family unit, so they can cope better when inevitable changes happen.

Life in a loving home is far better for cats and dogs than life in a cattery or kennel, which is why we aim to rehome them without delay. 

That’s why we check that you're ready to adopt and that your home life will be stable and predictable for your first few months together.

When an animal is ready for adoption, we search our database for suitable matches. If you could be a good match, we'll email you with more information. You can then decide whether you'd like to register your interest.
 

No. Registering your interest is not a guarantee of adoption, and it doesn't commit you to anything. We contact a small number of suitable adopters at a time so each animal can find a home as quickly as possible.

After registering your interest, a member of our team will call to discuss the animal, answer your questions and make sure the match feels right for you.
 

Of course! If it’s a good match, we’ll invite you and your household to meet the cat or dog. Cats can often be adopted after one visit, while dogs usually need at least two.
 

Yes. If you already have a pet, we will help you introduce your new pet carefully. This may include a supervised dog-to-dog meeting, along with advice for settling everyone in at home.
 

On adoption day, we’ll guide you through your pet’s routine, settling-in advice and ongoing care, so you feel confident from day one. We will provide you with comprehensive notes.
 

Adoption fees for cats

Under 6 months £150, pair £275

Over 6 months £130, pair £235

Adoption fees for dogs

Under 6 months £300

Over 6 months £250, pair £475

It depends on the individual animal's needs. We consider every application on its own merits, whether you live in a flat, rented home, on a boat or somewhere more unusual.
 

It depends on the animal’s needs –  we match each pet to your lifestyle as well as your home. Some animals cope well with time alone, while others need more company.
 

If you don't get any matches, or dislike the choices you ar ebeing sent, please don't be discouraged. Once you're registered, you will continue to receive notifications if you have a match. 

If you want to narrow or widen the criteria of the animal you are looking for, there are instructions on the update emails you are sent.

If we reach nine months without you adopting, we will ask you to re-register to make sure your details are up-to-date.