Surrendering a Pet

Thinking About Surrendering Your Cat? Please Read This First

We know that reaching out about surrendering your cat is rarely an easy decision. Whatever has brought you here, we want you to know there is no judgement from us - only a shared goal of doing what is best for your cat. This page explains the options that may be available to you, how our surrender process works, and what we ask of you so that we can keep saying yes to cats in need.

Who We Are

House of Chances is a not-for-profit cat rescue. We receive no government funding and we are made up entirely of a small team of unpaid volunteers who foster, transport, care for and rehome cats in their own homes and around their own jobs and families. We run only out of safe, approved and loving foster homes - we have no shelter building and no rows of cages. None of our cats are ever kept in cages. Because of this, our space is genuinely limited and we are almost always at capacity

Before You Surrender - Other Options Worth Exploring

Many people who contact us are facing a problem that has a solution other than surrender. Because our foster spaces are so limited, we gently ask you to consider these first - for some families, one of them may make it possible to keep the cat they love.

Behaviour Issues (Toileting, Scratching, Spraying, Aggression)

Sudden changes in toileting or behaviour are very often medical. A vet check can rule out urinary infections, pain or illness before assuming it is behavioural.
Desexing resolves a large proportion of spraying, roaming and aggression issues.
A qualified cat behaviourist or your vet can help with litter tray setup, scratching posts and introducing cats to each other. We can also provide you with information.

Moving House or Rental Restrictions

Under Victorian law, rental providers (landlords) cannot unreasonably refuse permission to keep a pet. You cannot be asked to pay a 'pet bond', and landlords are not legally allowed to ask about pet ownership on standard rental application forms. A written pet resume provided to the agent can help reassure a rental provider that your pet will not cause any issues.
Some people can rehome directly to a trusted friend or family member, keeping the cat within a known and loving circle.

Allergies

Speak to a GP or allergist - many people manage cat allergies with treatment, air filtration, regular cleaning and keeping the cat out of bedrooms. Lauren, who runs this rescue, is chronically allergic to cats but uses antihistamines, feeds cats particular diets, uses nasal sprays and air purifiers to manage this.

New Baby or Family Changes

Cats and babies live together safely in millions of homes. Your vet or maternal health nurse can give reassurance and simple hygiene guidance.
A cat behaviorist can assist you with how to support your cat to get used to a new baby. There is also ample information online.

Cost of Care or Vet Bills

Ask your vet about payment plans, and look into subsidised vet programs and pet welfare assistance in your area.
Some food banks and community pet programs provide pet food to families doing it tough.

Too Many Cats/Accidental Litter

Desexing prevents further litters. Ask us about desexing support so the situation does not grow.

If you have worked through these items and surrender is still the right and kindest choice for your cat, we are here and we will try our best to help you.

Why We May Not Be Able To Take Your Cat Immediately

Because we are foster-based and run by volunteers, we are completely full more often than not. We never take in more cats than we can care for properly, because every cat in our care is given a real foster home, real time, and real attention. No cages. If we are at capacity and financially struggling when you contact us, we will be honest with you about that and, where we can, point you toward other options.

The Surrender Donation - $200

When we accept a cat, we ask for a surrender donation of $200. We understand that being asked for money at a hard moment can feel confronting, so we want to be completely transparent about where it goes. Every dollar goes directly to preparing your cat for a safe, healthy new life. It helps cover:

A full vet health check on intake
Ongoing food and litter for as long as the cat is in our care
Parasite treatment (flea, worm and other preventatives)
Any vet work needed to prepare the cat for rehoming - including desexing, vaccination, microchipping and treatment of any conditions found

The $200 rarely covers the true cost. It is a contribution, not a fee for a service - the volunteers who care for your cat are not paid, and any shortfall is covered by our own fundraising and out of our own pockets. Your donation simply helps us keep the door open for the next cat who needs us.

If You Are In Financial Crisis or Unable To Pay

Please do not let the donation stop you from reaching out. A cat's safety will never come down to money. If you are in financial hardship or a crisis situation - for example fleeing family violence, experiencing homelessness, serious illness, or genuine financial distress - talk to us openly and we will try our best to work something out with you. To help us understand your situation and respond fairly to everyone, it helps if you can share:

A brief, honest description of your circumstances and why the full donation isn't possible right now
Whether you are able to contribute any amount, or set up a small payment over time
Any relevant details - for example if you hold a concession or pension card, are in emergency or crisis housing, or are being supported by a caseworker or support service
Whether there is anything else you can offer instead, such as donated food, litter or supplies, or help with fundraising or transport.

Nothing you share is used to judge you. It simply helps our volunteers make a fair decision so that we can still say yes to your cat.

Our Promise To Your Cat

When you surrender your cat to House of Chances, you are choosing safety. Here is what that means:

We are a no-kill rescue. Healthy and treatable cats are never put to sleep for reasons of time, space or money.
No cat is ever kept in a cage. Every cat lives in a real, loving foster home.
We fully support any medical needs your cat has, and provide exceptional care regardless of the cost of vet bills or how long treatment takes.
We take as long as it takes to find the right home. We only rehome to carefully approved homes matched to each individual cat's needs and personality. Your cat will be cared for as one of our own until their perfect home is found.

Next Steps

If you would like to talk through your options or begin a surrender enquiry, please contact us and share a little about your cat - photos, their age, temperament, health, what vetwork they have had, certificates of microchip and most recent vaccination and the reason you are considering surrender. We will get back to you as soon as our volunteers are able.