How to Adopt a Kitten or Cat in India | PetzLover
To adopt a kitten or cat in India, contact a shelter, animal welfare group or independent rescuer, meet the cat more than once, fill in the adoption form and expect a home visit, then sign the adoption agreement and give the cat quiet first weeks indoors. Adoption is often free or a donation of typically ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, which Wrap In Fur's 2026 guide says often includes sterilisation and vaccination.
An Indian domestic cat is a natural choice: Supertails' 2026 guide calls it the most budget-friendly cat in India and says it has adapted to Indian heat and humidity. This guide covers where to adopt, the process, costs, choosing the right cat and the first weeks.
Key points
- Adopt through a known welfare group, rescuer or foster home, and meet the cat before you commit.
- Expect an adoption form, ID and address proof, a home visit and a sterilisation condition.
- Adoption is often free or a donation of about ₹1,000 to ₹5,000; monthly care is about ₹2,000 to ₹8,000.
- Net windows and balconies before the cat arrives and keep it indoors.
- Never pay an 'adoption' fee in advance for a cat that will be sent by courier.
Shelter, rescue group or foster: where can you adopt a cat in India?
- Animal welfare organisations. Friendicoes SECA in Delhi and Gurugram rehomes dogs and cats; CUPA runs the Second Chance Adoption Centre in Bengaluru; Blue Cross of India in Chennai rescues motherless kittens every month and runs adoption and fostering.
- Independent rescuers and feeders who foster kittens at home until they find adopters. Ask for vet records, as you would from a shelter.
- Adoption listings. You can browse cats for adoption by city and message the rescuer or owner through PetzLover.
- Owners rehoming a cat they can no longer keep; see taking in a rehomed cat.
Shelters vary in size and in how they work, so call before you visit and ask which cats need homes, how adoption works and whether they allow visits.
How does the cat adoption process work in India?
- Pick a group or listing and ask about cats that suit your home, such as a calm adult for a busy household or a pair of kittens.
- Meet the cat, ideally more than once, and ask about its health, vaccines and temperament.
- Fill in the adoption form. Expect questions about your home, family, other pets, vet and travel, and copies of ID and address proof.
- Expect a home visit or video call. Friendicoes, for example, says its house visit is mainly to verify the address and includes a talk with the whole family.
- Sign the adoption agreement. Many groups require sterilisation; Friendicoes makes spaying or neutering adopted pets a mandatory rule.
- Take the cat home in a secure carrier with its records.
- Stay in touch. Good groups follow up after adoption and help if problems arise.
What does it cost to adopt a cat in India?
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Adoption donation | About ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 (Wrap In Fur); ₹0 to ₹3,000 for desi cats (Supertails) |
| Sterilisation, if not done | About ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 at government hospitals or NGOs |
| Vaccines and basic vet care, first year | About ₹4,000 in one retailer's example |
| Food, litter and routine care, per month | About ₹2,000 to ₹8,000 |
| Carrier, litter tray, scratching post, nets | One-off; varies by city and shop |
Ask what the donation covers. A cat that is already sterilised and vaccinated saves you several thousand rupees in the first months.
Should you adopt a kitten, an adult cat or a pair?
Kittens are playful and adapt quickly, but they need more time, supervision and a full vaccine course, and their adult personality is a guess. An adult's temperament, litter habits and health are already known, which suits first-time owners, families with young children and people who work long hours. Supertails says Indian domestic cats can live 14 to 18 years, so an adult of three or four still has many years ahead.
Two kittens from the same litter can keep each other company while you are out. If you already have a cat, ask the rescuer which of their cats lives calmly with others.
How do you prepare your home for an adopted cat?
- Fit nets on windows, balconies and any duct openings before the cat arrives; Friendicoes advises keeping house cats indoors.
- Set up one quiet room with a litter tray, food, water, a bed and a hiding place.
- Add a scratching post and a few toys.
- Book a nearby vet and keep the number handy.
- Tell your housing society. The Animal Welfare Board of India has said that resident welfare associations cannot legally ban keeping pets, and some cities, such as Noida, require pet cats to be registered.
How do you avoid cat adoption scams?
- A pedigree kitten offered 'for adoption' in another city that will come by courier once you pay a fee.
- New charges after the first payment: cage, delivery, insurance or vaccination.
- A 'rescuer' who will not let you meet the cat or see it on a video call.
- Photos that appear in other ads under different names.
Real rescuers want to meet you; scammers want money first. If you lose money, call 1930, the national cyber crime helpline, and use the Report Scam button on the listing.
How do you help an adopted cat settle in the first weeks?
- First days: keep the cat in its quiet room and let it come to you. Some cats hide and eat little at first.
- First week: visit your vet to check its health and plan any missing vaccines; Supertails' vet-written 2026 schedule gives Tricat (CRP) and rabies with yearly boosters.
- Weeks two to four: open up the rest of the home gradually and introduce other pets slowly, through a door or gate first.
- Ongoing: keep feeding times regular, scoop the litter daily and keep the cat cool in summer.
Call your vet if the cat has not eaten for a day or two, or refuses water. Rescuers who are listing a cat can read how to list a cat for adoption. If you want a particular breed instead, see how to buy a kitten or cat, and for cats offered free, getting a free kitten safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I adopt a cat in India?
Contact a welfare organisation, rescuer or adoption listing, meet the cat, fill in the adoption form and agree to a home visit if asked. Sign the agreement, which often includes sterilisation, and take the cat home in a carrier with its records.
Is cat adoption free in India?
Sometimes. Many groups ask a donation; Wrap In Fur's 2026 guide puts shelter cats at about ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, often including sterilisation and vaccination, and Supertails puts desi cat adoption at ₹0 to ₹3,000.
Why do shelters do a home visit?
To confirm your address and see that the home is safe for a cat, including nets on windows and balconies. Friendicoes says its visit is mainly address verification plus a talk with the family.
Do I have to sterilise an adopted cat?
Most groups require it, and Friendicoes makes it a mandatory rule. If the cat is too young, the agreement will say when it must be done. Sterilisation also prevents unplanned litters.
Can I adopt a cat if I live in a rented flat?
Yes, if your landlord agrees, so check your lease first. The Animal Welfare Board of India has said resident welfare associations cannot legally ban keeping pets, but a landlord's permission is a separate matter.
How long does an adopted cat take to settle?
Some settle within days, others take a few weeks. A quiet room, a steady routine and patience help most. Ask the rescuer for tips about that particular cat.
Helpful guides
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Kitten or Cat for Adoption in IndiaGet the cat vet-checked, vaccinated and sterilised, write an honest listing, screen adopters with a form, a video call or home visit, ask a modest donation and sign an adoption agreement with a return clause.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Kitten or Cat in IndiaChoose a cat that suits Indian heat and your home, meet the kitten and its mother before paying, check its age and vaccines, budget about ₹2,000 to ₹8,000 a month and never pay a UPI advance to a seller you have not met.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Kittens and Cats in IndiaKeep kittens with their mother until at least eight weeks, have them vet-checked and vaccinated, price honestly, check each buyer in person and confirm payment in your own bank account before the handover.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Kitten or Cat Safely in IndiaMeet the cat and its carer in person, ask why it is free and what vet care it has had, check its health, budget for vaccines and sterilisation, and never pay a delivery or 'cage' fee for a free cat.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Kitten or Cat for Free Without Risk in IndiaVet-check and, where possible, sterilise the cat first, write an honest free ad, screen every caller, meet at your home and hand over with records and a signed agreement that the cat returns to you if needed.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Kitten or Cat in IndiaAsk the owner why the cat is being rehomed and for its vet records, meet it at its current home, pay any fee only at collection, sign a handover note and give it a quiet room and a few weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Kitten or Cat Responsibly in IndiaCheck whether a vet visit or a talk with your housing society could solve the problem, then vet-check and sterilise the cat, write an honest ad, screen and meet each person and hand over with records and a return clause.
Pet for MatingHow to Find a Mate or Stud for Your Cat in IndiaBreed only a fully grown, healthy cat that a vet has checked, choose an unrelated partner with matching health results, avoid extreme features and put the stud fee and terms in writing before the cats meet.
Pet for MatingHow to Advertise Your Cat for Mating in IndiaOffer only a fully grown, healthy cat with a recent vet check, FeLV and FIV results and any breed tests, show them in the ad, set written terms, ask the other owner for the same results and host matings at your home.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Cat Wanted" Ad in IndiaReply only if your cat truly matches, message first, ask about their home, vet and housing society, describe your cat honestly, meet before any handover and refuse payment links, QR codes and apps.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Cat Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in IndiaSay exactly what you want, give a realistic budget and your city, describe your home, say you will visit before paying, and never pay an advance, cage or delivery charge for a cat you have not met.
Lost PetHow to Help Find a Lost Cat in IndiaLost cats usually hide close to home: check stairwells, ducts, parking areas and under vehicles, share sightings with the owner, and if you can safely contain the cat, keep it indoors and contact the owner.
Lost PetWhat to Do When Your Cat Is Lost in IndiaSearch your building and the streets nearby at once and after dark, tell your housing society, neighbours, vets and welfare groups, post a lost-cat ad with clear photos and keep searching close to home every day.
Found PetHow to Find Your Lost Cat Through Found-Pet Ads in IndiaCheck found-cat listings, society groups, nearby vets and welfare groups every day, compare photos rather than descriptions, have proof of ownership ready and never pay a finder before you see your cat.
Found PetWhat to Do When You Find a Cat in IndiaDecide whether it is a lost pet or a community cat, keep a pet cat cool and confined, have a vet check it and scan for a microchip, post a found-cat ad and return it only to someone with proof of ownership.