Adopt an Animal with Galway Cat Rescue

If you have been thinking of getting a cat, then look to adopt an animal. Think Adoption First. Meet Galway Cat Rescue, who are partnered with our store in Galway. Find out below how you can offer a forever home to one of the cats in their care.

Who are they?

Galway Cat Rescue are an all-volunteer group of animal lovers. They are committed to helping homeless cats in Galway and dedicated to give every cat a chance to live a safe, healthy and happy life. Galway Cat Rescue was established in August 2010, out of frustration that not enough was being done to help feral cats in local neighbourhoods. Since then they have neutered more than 4,000 cats and have been successful in re-homing more than 1,800. They also care for numerous abandoned and injured cats and kittens.

They do not have a sanctuary or shelter, and operate using a network of fosterers who look after cats and kittens in their own homes. This provides the best possible opportunity for them to become well socialised in a normal domestic environment. By adopting best practice adoption protocols and early age neuter/spay procedures they can go to these homes directly from the invaluable socialising care a foster home provides.

What To Consider Before Adopting a Cat

Galway Cat Rescue help homeless cats in Galway and dedicated to give every cat a chance to live a safe, healthy and happy life. They help young kittens, adult cats, senior cats, and even feral cats. There are a number of things to consider before deciding to adopt a cat, such as…

• The cost: Regular food and litter, as well as a litter box, scratching post, food bowls, veterinary visits and unexpected illnesses or injuries.
• Owning the cat vs. being owned by the cat: Unlike dogs, cats like to do things in their own way and own time. For instance, you can train a cat to beg for a treat but if the cat doesn’t feel like doing the trick at that moment, it won’t. It’s better to think of it as adding a new member to your family.
• Maintenance: You’ll need to make sure the cat has plenty of water, food daily, and a clean litter box, as well as keeping up with the health exams. Although most cats do not demand tons of attention, they will still want your affection on a regular basis.
• Age of children: If you have small children you may want to wait to get a cat until your children are older. However, if you will be supervising every encounter between small child and cat you’ll probably be all right.
• Other pets in the house: If you already have existing pets in the house you’ll need to consider whether they will get along with a cat. Obvious problems would be birds and small rodents.
• Potential allergies: Does anyone in your household have pet allergies?

What is Trap Neuter Return?

Trap-Neuter-Return is the answer to Ireland’s feral cat crisis, and is the most effective and most humane solution in an area overpopulated by feral cats. The cats are humanely trapped and brought to a vet, where they are examined. Sick cats are treated. Cats that are too ill to make a full recovery are humanely euthanised. The vet then neuters, worms and flea treats the remaining healthy cats. By nicking the tip off the left ear they are marked for identification before they return to their colony.

Quality of life improves dramatically for the cats. The colony now consists of healthy animals and no more kittens are born. In most neighborhoods people are then happy to look after those cats, providing them with food and shelter. Tamable cats and young kittens are socialized in a foster home until a permanent home can be found, where they can live a happy life as pets. Some feral cats can be re-homed as garden and farm cats.

How Can I Contact Galway Cat Rescue?

You can contact Galway Cat Rescue by following the link to their website here or emailing [email protected]