How to Adopt a Cat From Rehome

How to Adopt a Cat From FurPetVo

When you’re ready to meet your new BFF—best feline friend—you’ll find special advantages in adopting a cat whose current family is personally finding them a loving new home. It’s often easier to find a perfect match because you’re speaking directly with the people who know the cat best: their current pet parents. FurPetVo helps you safely and easily search for cats listed by their current caregivers—people who, for thoughtful and compassionate reasons, can no longer keep their pet.

A calm, friendly cat sitting beside a smiling person on a sunlit living room sofa

Of course, you can also find your ideal cat by visiting a local shelter, attending a rescue event, or browsing the thousands of adoption listings on furpetvo.com. Whether you're hoping for a playful kitten or a gentle senior companion, there are plenty of ways to find a cat who fits seamlessly into your life.

TL;DR:

You can adopt a cat directly from their current family using FurPetVo. Simply search for cats marked as “cared for” by a private owner, submit an application from their profile page, chat with the current pet parent, schedule a safe meet-and-greet, and finalize the adoption with a legally sound rehoming agreement.

What is Rehome by FurPetVo?

Rehome by FurPetVo helps pet parents find a safe, responsible new home for their cat—without sending them to a shelter or rescue. It provides a secure, vetted platform where families can create detailed listings and connect meaningfully with potential adopters. This approach keeps cats moving smoothly from one loving home to another—and eases pressure on shelters and rescues already stretched thin.

How to adopt a cat from a “private owner” on FurPetVo

When you search for a cat or kitten on furpetvo.com, results include pets available from local shelters, rescue groups, and individual pet parents. You can filter your search to show only those available from private owners—making it simple to find cats being rehomed thoughtfully and compassionately.

Here’s how the process works:

Search and view potential matches. Start by browsing furpetvo.com. Filter by location, age, size, and more. To see cats available from their current pet parent, use the “Cared For” filter and select “Private Owner.” Browse photos, read about each cat’s personality and history, learn their story, and note any rehoming fee.
Submit your application. If you find a cat you’d like to meet, click “Apply Online” to submit your adoption application. The current pet parent reviews all applications and reaches out to candidates they believe would be a good fit.
Start a conversation. Once connected, you can text or call the current pet parent directly—without sharing personal contact details. Ask thoughtful questions about behavior, routines, preferences, and medical history.
Schedule a meet-and-greet. Arrange a safe, neutral meeting place—like a quiet café, park, or community center—to get to know both the cat and their caregiver. Many adopters and pet parents choose to meet at participating PetSmart® locations, where FurPetVo hosts supervised, low-stress meet-ups in designated areas.

Two people sitting on benches in a bright, clean PetSmart store area, gently interacting with a relaxed cat in a carrier

PetSmart associates are present to support the interaction. If the adoption moves forward, PetSmart provides an adoption kit—including free food, training resources, grooming discounts, and over $350 in savings on essential pet supplies.

Finalize the adoption. When both parties feel confident it’s a great match, the current pet parent finalizes the transition with a formal adoption and rehoming agreement. Legally, ownership transfers only once both you and the previous pet parent sign the document confirming the transfer.

Benefits of adopting directly from another family

Adopting a cat directly from another family benefits both pets and people. Here’s why:

Less stress for the cat: Since the cat remains in a familiar, loving environment until adoption day, they experience far less anxiety than they would in a shelter setting. That means you’ll meet the cat’s true personality—helping you assess compatibility accurately—and they’ll settle into your home more smoothly through gradual, supportive transitions.
Transparency about personality and history: Through direct conversations with the current pet parent, you’ll gain rich, firsthand insight—their favorite toys, quirks, health background, vaccination records, and even dietary preferences. These cats are also more likely to be well-fed, parasite-free, and up-to-date on basic care.
Reduced strain on shelters and rescues: Every successful rehoming frees space and resources for animals in urgent need—strays, injured pets, or those entering emergency intake. It strengthens the entire safety net for vulnerable animals.
Inclusive adoption opportunities: Unlike rigid shelter policies (e.g., restrictions on renters or families with young children), private rehoming allows flexible, empathetic conversations. This opens doors for more people to find meaningful matches—without turning to breeders or pet stores.

A cozy, well-lit home environment showing a cat curled up on a soft blanket next to a water bowl and toy, with a collar nearby

Red flags to avoid

FurPetVo prioritizes safety for both adopters and pet parents—but staying alert is part of responsible adoption. If you encounter any of these warning signs—and the concerns aren’t resolved clearly and respectfully—move on to your next match:

Hiding or downplaying known behavioral challenges
Vague, inconsistent, or evasive answers to your questions
Refusing to share medical history or the name of their veterinarian
Creating false urgency or pressuring you to decide immediately
Not allowing you to meet the cat before adoption
Insisting on meeting at their home instead of a safe, public location
Charging unusually high rehoming fees
Asking for payment to “hold” the cat before you’ve met them

Commonly asked questions

How can I find rehomed pets near me?

Create a search on furpetvo.com, filtering by pet type, your ZIP code, and “Private Owner” under adoption source. Once you find a cat you love, apply online to begin learning more—and start building a connection with their current family.

Is a deposit normal when adopting from private owners?

No. A deposit is not standard—or advisable—in private rehoming. Requests for money before meeting the cat, or tactics that create artificial urgency or pressure, are serious red flags.

Is a rehoming fee normal when adopting from private owners?

Yes. A reasonable rehoming fee reflects the caregiver’s time, effort, and commitment to finding a lasting, caring home. It also helps screen for serious adopters. However, exorbitant fees—especially without clear justification—are cause for concern.

What happens if the previous pet parent wants their cat back?

A signed rehoming agreement protects both parties. Once finalized and signed, the agreement legally transfers ownership. Ethical rehoming assumes the decision is permanent and made with full consideration. Responsible pet parents carefully reflect before listing—and FurPetVo encourages transparency, honesty, and mutual respect throughout the process.