Whether you’re caring for a new kitten, working through a behavior challenge, helping a community cat, or looking for trusted information about feline health and welfare, you’ll find practical resources to help you along the way.
Our goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions for the cats in your care, because when caregivers have the right support, cats have the best chance to thrive.
Deciding to rehome a cat is never easy. Whether you’re facing changes in housing, finances, health, family circumstances, or another unexpected challenge, you’re not alone. Before deciding, it’s worth exploring whether resources or support could help your cat stay with you. If rehoming is the best option, there are ways to make the process as safe and successful as possible.
Many people assume bringing a cat to a shelter is the best way to find them a new home. In reality, rehoming a cat directly from their current home or temporary placement is often the better option. Cats are creatures of habit, and entering a shelter can be stressful. Even in the best shelters, cats experience unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, routines, and people. Remaining in a familiar environment while a new home is found can reduce stress and provide a smoother transition. It also gives potential adopters the opportunity to learn directly from the person who knows the cat best. These principles are the foundation of supported self-rehoming.
Supported self-rehoming allows you to keep your cat in your care while actively searching for a new home. You’ll have the opportunity to share your cat’s personality, routines, medical history, likes, dislikes, and ideal home environment with potential adopters, helping create a better match for both the cat and their new family. Many cats are successfully rehomed this way without ever needing to enter a shelter.
The resources below will walk you through the process, from creating an adoption profile and taking great photos to finding potential adopters and screening applicants. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your cat.
Adopt a Pet (use our discount code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z for 90% off the listing price)
If you are considering relinquishing your cat to Feline Rescue, please complete a Cat Support Services inquiry to get started.
If you would prefer to keep your cat, our team can first help you explore resources and possible solutions to the challenges you’re facing. If rehoming is necessary, we can discuss available options, including possible admission to Feline Rescue.
Admission is not guaranteed and depends on our current capacity and ability to appropriately care for the cat. Our capacity changes frequently based on the number and needs of cats already in our care. If we are able to accept your cat, an admission appointment may still be several weeks away.
Seeing a cat outdoors often leads people to wonder if it needs help. While some outdoor cats do need assistance, many are healthy community cats that have lived outdoors for years and are cared for by one or more people in the neighborhood.
Community cats may be social or unsocialized, but they have established territories where they know where to find food, water, shelter, and safety. Research has shown that healthy community cats generally have the best outcomes when they are allowed to remain in the area they know, rather than being removed and taken to a shelter. Cats that are removed are often replaced by other unsterilized cats, a phenomenon known as the “vacuum effect,” making trap-neuter-return (TNR) the most effective long-term strategy for managing outdoor cat populations.
At Feline Rescue, we rarely intake healthy outdoor cats. Instead, we focus on supporting the cats and the people who care for them through TNR, spay/neuter assistance, humane trapping resources, winter shelters, and caregiver support.
If you’ve found an outdoor cat and aren’t sure what to do, we’re here to help you determine the best next steps.
Not every outdoor cat needs to be rescued.
A healthy outdoor cat may:
A cat without a collar is not necessarily homeless, and a friendly cat is not necessarily lost.
Outdoor cats should generally be left where they are unless they are sick, injured, in immediate danger, or are young kittens requiring intervention.
If you’re unsure whether a cat needs help, visit our Found Cats resource for guidance.
The most effective and humane way to manage community cat populations is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
Cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped, and returned to the outdoor area they call home. Caregivers continue to monitor the colony, provide food and water when appropriate, and watch for any cats that become sick, injured, or new to the colony.
TNR:
We offer several resources for community cat caregivers:
Spay/Neuter Vouchers
Need help getting a community cat spayed or neutered? Request a voucher through our Cat Support Services form.
Live Trap Loans
We loan humane live traps to community members participating in TNR or safely transporting outdoor cats for veterinary care. Request a trap here.
Coolers for Cats
Our Coolers for Cats program provides insulated outdoor shelters to help community cats stay warm during Minnesota winters. Request a winter shelter here.
Community Cat Food
When available, we offer free cat food for caregivers feeding outdoor cats. Availability varies based on donations. Stop into our shelter during open hours to pick up food at no cost.
If community cats are causing problems around your home or property, there are many humane ways to reduce unwanted behaviors without harming the cats.
Strategies include:
Most conflicts can be resolved without relocating or removing the cats.
Every cat deserves access to the essentials for a healthy, comfortable life. Whether you’ve recently welcomed a new cat, are caring for a community cat, or are facing temporary financial challenges, having the right supplies can make a big difference.
This guide covers the basic items every cat needs, along with resources available through Feline Rescue to help support cats and their caregivers.
Every cat should have access to:
These basics help support a cat’s physical health, emotional well-being, and natural behaviors.
Sometimes everyone needs a little extra support.
Our Meow Market Community Shelf is available during regular shelter hours and offers cat food, litter, treats, toys, and other supplies whenever inventory allows.
All items are available on a pay what you can basis. Whether you can contribute the full value, a small amount, or nothing at all, you’re welcome to take what you need. Our goal is simple: to help keep cats healthy and in the homes where they belong.
Inventory changes frequently and depends on community donations.
During the warmer months, we bring Meow Market into the community with larger outdoor events held in our shelter parking lot.
These events offer a wider selection of food, litter, supplies, and other pet care items while connecting caregivers with additional community resources.
Visit our Events page for upcoming Meow Market dates and details.
Contact our Cat Support Services team to discuss available resources
Community support keeps Meow Market stocked.
You can help by:
Together, we can help ensure every cat has access to the care they need.
Access to veterinary care is essential for every cat. While Feline Rescue does not operate a public veterinary clinic or provide medical care for privately owned pets, we offer programs and resources that help make veterinary care more accessible for cats and their caregivers.
Whether you’re looking for financial assistance, preventive care, or affordable veterinary options, we may be able to help.
Unexpected injuries and illnesses can happen to any cat.
Our Medical Miracle Program provides financial assistance for owned cats experiencing an acute illness or injury when treatment would otherwise be out of reach. Funding is limited, eligibility requirements may apply, and assistance is based on available resources.
If your cat is experiencing a medical emergency and you’re concerned about the cost of care, contact our Cat Support Services team to learn whether this program may be able to help.
Preventive care is one of the best ways to keep cats healthy and reduce the number of unwanted litters.
Through our Cat Support Services program, qualifying households may be eligible to receive vouchers to help cover the cost of spay/neuter surgery and core vaccinations. Eligibility requirements apply, and assistance is based on available funding.
We maintain a list of low-cost veterinary clinics and services throughout the Twin Cities area to help caregivers find affordable options for routine and non-emergency veterinary care.
If you’re not sure where to start, our Cat Support Services team can help connect you with available resources.
Most cats handle much of their own grooming, but some need extra help with nail trims, brushing, mat removal, or coat care. Senior cats, long-haired cats, cats with mobility limitations, and cats who struggle with grooming at home may especially benefit from professional assistance.
Several cat-friendly grooming services are available throughout Minnesota. Look for a groomer who is experienced with cats and uses low-stress handling techniques.
Feline Rescue offers monthly Cat Claw Clipping Clinics for cats who need a nail trim. Clinics are available for a suggested fee of $10 per cat.
Check our Events page for upcoming clinic dates and details.
Feline Rescue does not provide veterinary services for privately owned cats, including:
If your cat is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
If you’re struggling to access veterinary care, complete our Cat Support Services form. We’ll review your situation and help connect you with available programs and community resources whenever possible.
Behavior is one of the most common reasons people become concerned about their cats, but unwanted behavior is rarely random or spiteful. Cats use behavior to communicate their needs, respond to their environment, and cope with stress or discomfort.
With patience, observation, and the right approach, many behavior concerns can be successfully resolved.
If your cat begins displaying unwanted behavior, the first step should always be a veterinary examination.
Many behavior changes are caused by underlying medical conditions. Pain, illness, urinary problems, arthritis, dental disease, cognitive decline, and other medical issues can all affect a cat’s behavior.
Before working with a behavior professional or beginning a behavior modification plan, it’s important to rule out medical causes. Most qualified behavior professionals will require a recent veterinary evaluation before beginning treatment.
Behavior concerns often fall into one or more of these categories:
Visit the resources listed in the navigation menu to learn more about these topics.
Some behavior concerns require additional support.
If your cat’s behavior is causing injuries, creating significant stress within your household, or isn’t improving despite your efforts, working with a qualified feline behavior professional can make a significant difference.
Look for professionals who use humane, science-based methods and avoid punishment or techniques that rely on fear or intimidation.
We recommend searching for a certified feline behavior consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
If you’re considering surrendering your cat because of a behavior concern, please contact our Cat Support Services team before making a decision.
Many behavior challenges can be successfully addressed with the right information, resources, and support, allowing cats to remain safely in their homes.
Housing problems can put people in the difficult position of wondering whether they can keep their pets. A landlord may change a policy, an unexpected move may make pet-friendly housing harder to find, or a financial crisis may put your entire household at risk of losing housing.
If your housing situation is affecting your ability to keep your cat, start by exploring your options. Depending on your circumstances, rental assistance, tenant protections, pet-friendly housing resources, temporary care, or other support may give you more time to find a solution.
Finding affordable housing that accepts pets can take extra time, so start your search as early as possible.
When considering a rental, ask about the property’s complete animal policy before applying. “Pet-friendly” can mean different things at different properties. Ask about:
When contacting a prospective landlord, it can help to provide information showing that you’re a responsible pet owner. Veterinary records, references from previous landlords, and information about your cat’s behavior may help address a landlord’s concerns.
[LINKS: Pet-friendly housing search resources]
If you’ve received a notice about your cat or have been told that you need to remove your pet, read your lease carefully and get reliable information about your rights before making a permanent decision.
Keep copies of your lease, notices, emails, text messages, payment records, and other communication with your landlord. If possible, communicate about the issue in writing.
A landlord telling you that you need to leave is different from being legally evicted. In Minnesota, a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant by changing the locks, shutting off utilities, or otherwise forcing the tenant out. An eviction requires a court process and, ultimately, a court order and sheriff’s involvement.
If you’ve received an eviction notice, court papers, or another formal notice from your landlord, seek legal assistance promptly. Deadlines in housing cases can be short.
Read the comprehensive Minnesota Attorney General Landlord-Tenant Handbook for general state statutes.
HOME Line (612-728-5767) provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.
Housing laws provide additional protections for people with disabilities who need service or support animals. These protections are different from ordinary pet policies.
In Minnesota, a tenant with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to live with a service or support animal. When an accommodation is approved, a landlord generally cannot apply a no-pet policy or charge pet rent, pet fees, or an additional pet deposit for that animal. Tenants can still be responsible for damage caused by their animals.
A service or support animal does not need to be registered or “certified.” Be cautious of websites selling registrations, identification cards, vests, or certificates that claim to give an animal legal status.
Landlords may request certain information when the disability or disability-related need for the animal is not apparent, and there are circumstances in which an accommodation can legally be denied. If you need an accommodation, have been denied one, or believe you’ve experienced housing discrimination, use a qualified legal or fair-housing resource for guidance specific to your situation.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights: Service & Emotional Support Animals
We are not able to issue ESA letters ourselves, but we have partnered with two companies that offer discounted services:
CertaPet: use discount code FELINE10
US Service Animals: use discount code FELINERESCUE
Please be sure to review each company’s process and requirements carefully to determine whether this is the right option for your situation.
Losing housing does not automatically mean you have to permanently give up your cat.
Some emergency housing programs accommodate pets, while others may be able to connect you with temporary animal care or other services. Availability changes frequently, so contact programs directly to confirm their current policies before arriving with an animal.
If you’re staying outside, in a vehicle, temporarily with friends or family, or in another unstable situation, assistance may also be available for pet food, supplies, veterinary care, and temporary care while you work toward stable housing.
Minnesota Housing Assistance | Greater Twin Cities United Way
Sometimes circumstances change permanently, even after other options have been explored. If you determine that keeping your cat is no longer possible, you may be able to find them a new home without placing them in a shelter.
Supported self-rehoming allows your cat to remain with you or in a temporary home while you look for an appropriate adopter. This can reduce the stress associated with entering a shelter and allows you to share what you know about your cat directly with potential adopters.
Visit our Rehoming Your Cat resource for guidance on safely finding a new home.
Unexpected circumstances can make it difficult to care for your cat, even when you want to keep them. A hospitalization, housing change, personal safety concern, missing cat, or veterinary crisis can leave you needing help quickly.
These resources can help you find temporary solutions, locate specialized support, and determine your next steps. If a temporary situation is putting your cat’s home at risk, our Cat Support Services team can also help you explore available options.
Sometimes you need someone else to care for your cat while you deal with a temporary situation. This might include hospitalization, a short-term housing gap, a family emergency, entering a treatment program, or another circumstance that temporarily prevents you from caring for your cat.
Start with people your cat already knows when possible. Friends, family members, neighbors, pet sitters, and boarding facilities may be able to provide short-term care. Some organizations also offer temporary foster or boarding programs for people experiencing specific types of hardship.
Feline Rescue may be able to help identify temporary care resources based on your circumstances. Availability is limited, and we cannot guarantee foster or boarding placement.
If you expect to be able to resume caring for your cat, tell us that when you contact Cat Support Services. A temporary problem doesn’t necessarily require permanently rehoming your cat.
Concern about a pet can make leaving an unsafe situation more complicated. If you or someone in your household is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available to help make plans for both people and pets.
Some domestic violence programs accommodate pets directly, while others work with temporary foster or boarding programs so pets can remain somewhere safe while their caregivers find stable housing.
If you are making plans to leave an unsafe situation, specialized domestic violence organizations can help you develop a safety plan based on your individual circumstances.
Feline Rescue’s Cat Support Services has a very limited capacity for temporary fostering. Fill out the form here to inquire.
The Bond Between Respite Fostering Program | Day One Services
Additionally, there are several businesses that offer boarding services for cost.
If your cat is missing, begin searching as soon as possible. Many missing cats remain close to where they escaped, particularly indoor-only cats who suddenly find themselves outside.
Start by searching your property and nearby areas carefully. Check under decks and porches, inside garages and sheds, beneath vehicles, and in other small hiding places. Ask neighbors to check their properties as well. Search during quieter times of day when a frightened cat may be more willing to move or respond.
You should also:
[LINKS: Missing cat resources | Local lost-and-found pet listings]
A serious diagnosis, unexpected injury, veterinary emergency, or end-of-life decision can be difficult emotionally and financially. Veterinary social workers and other support professionals can help people cope with some of the human challenges that accompany caring for a sick or injured animal.
Depending on the program, support may include help coping with a difficult diagnosis, anticipatory grief, end-of-life decisions, pet loss, caregiver stress, or locating financial and community resources.
If cost is preventing your cat from receiving veterinary care, also visit our Veterinary Care resources. Feline Rescue’s Medical Miracle Program provides financial assistance in qualifying cases involving owned cats with acute illnesses or injuries.