ADOPTING A CAT FROM CARING HEARTS
Click here to fill out our application
Thank you for your desire to adopt a cat! We appreciate your commitment to adoption. We hope this page will describe the adoption process so you will have a good understanding of how it works.
The heart of the adoption process is the application you fill out. We are advocates and protectors of every feline in our care, so our adoption application is very thorough. This is because successful applications are based on "best fit" for a particular animal, never based on "first submitted." But even if your application is NOT the best fit for a particular animal, we will let you know if your application meets our general criteria, and we will encourage you to apply for another cat. You may find another animal perfectly suited to your lifestyle!
STARTING THE PROCESS
Visit "our adoptable pets" and learn about our cats and kittens. There you will find as much information we have about the animal.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR ANIMALS
The best way for you and your family to get to know our animals is to attend our adoption events each weekend at Petsmart, Brannon Crossing, Nicholasville, KY. Doing so also gives you the opportunity to talk with our volunteers to get details. (See below for important information about adoption events.)
Things to consider:
Anyone in your family allergic? Consider steps to reduce their response to the allergens.
Do you have young children? Adopt a cat or kitten six months or older.
Like to keep your home pristine? Some cats scratch furniture. Some pets have accidents. If you cannot live with this, you are better off not adopting a forever animal.
Work long hours? Consider adopting two kittens (hopefully siblings) so they have each other for company.
Trying to save money? Expect yearly costs for vet visits, shots, flea and tick preventative, food, toys, pet sitters, etc. Think ahead and make sure you have funds set aside for this member of your family.
Are you adopting an animal that will need grooming every month? Are your aware of those costs? Have you planned for them?
Travel a lot? What will happen to your pet while you are away? Have you planned for that?
Thinking about having a baby soon? Other changes in your life coming up? We expect your animal to be a "forever" animal. If you don't think you can continue to make that commitment when there are changes in your lifestyle, you may want to re-consider adopting.
Renting? Will your lease be up for renewal soon? Will having a pet make a difference to your landlord? Does your landlord allow pets? Does he restrict certain sizes? Certain breeds? Number of animals?
Moving? What would happen to your cat if your new community or rental doesn't allow him?
Is everyone in your household happy to have a new pet? Are they willing to participate in caring and feeding of the animal?
Once you are sure that you can feel confident you really want to adopt, then submit an application.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
The eastiest way is to complete an application on line via our secure server and click to submit. But we understand that is not always the best for everyone, so below are other ways to get applications to us:
Download and print the application and:
1. email it to us at caringheartsrescue@yahoo.com or
2. bring a copy to our area at Petsmart, Brannon Crossing, Nicholasville, KY on Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It is best to notify us via email you plan to come and the cat you would like to visit since not all our cats are at every adoption event. On occasional weekends, we may not be present unless we are meeting a potential adoptor.
REVIEW OF YOUR APPLICATION BY CARING HEARTS
Because we review applications very carefully, it is in your best interests to fill out your application as completely as possible and send it in as soon as possible. This gives us an opportunity to review it carefully and talk with qualified applicants about the animal in more detail.
Please give us some time to review your application. We email qualified applicants (please be sure to check your "junk" mail). If you are not selected after applying for one of our cats, there could be any number of reasons.
For example:
The animal you applied for has already been adopted (in which case we hope you will consider another animal).
Your application is not well-suited to this particular animal. Remember: this does not reflect on you! Some of our animals do better in homes with other cats, or without young children. Some cannot be in a home with other dogs or cats. There are many reasons why an animal may not be right for your application.
Your application may be one of several! And, though every email is important to us (and to the animals!), we might not be able to get back to you as quickly as you like. Send a follow-up email caringheartsrescue@yahoo.com if you do not hear from us in a couple of days and an administrator will reply to you.
Our rescue is supported entirely by volunteers, the process to adopt can sometimes take time. We appreciate your understanding and patience and are very grateful to you for your decision to adopt.
NOTE ABOUT OUR ADOPTION EVENTS
Our adoption events are always busy, and our adoption volunteers spend a lot of time with each applicant, as they will with you. Please be patient as they attend to everyone in order.
Due to space limitations, we cannot guarantee that the animal you are applying for will be at the adoption event you attend unless you have let us know ahead. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. If you email us ahead, we can be certain to bring the cat of your dreams to the next event.