How to Post a Cat Wanted Ad and Get Replies in the United States
To post a cat wanted ad that gets replies in the United States, describe the cat or kitten you want, your household, your city and how far you will travel, your budget and your timeline, and say that you will meet the cat before paying. Specific, friendly ads draw genuine owners, while that last line quietly turns away most scammers.
This guide walks through choosing what to ask for, writing the ad, setting a budget and handling replies safely, including the kitten shipping scams the FTC and BBB warn about.
Key points
- Be specific about breed or type, age, sex and temperament, but stay open enough to get replies.
- Describe your home honestly: children, other pets, rental or owned, indoor plans.
- State your city and how many miles you can travel; local pickup is safer than shipping.
- Never pay a deposit, shipping, crate or insurance fee to someone you have not met or video-called.
- Reverse-search photos you are sent and pay only in traceable ways.
What kind of cat should you ask for?
Think about your household before you write. A kitten needs more time, play and supervision, while an adult cat's personality is already known, which helps if you have young children or another pet. Long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons need regular grooming; active breeds such as Bengals and Abyssinians need plenty of play; and Persians are known for a calm, mellow nature. For a busy home or an apartment, an adult cat whose calm temperament is already known is often the easiest fit.
- First-time owner or busy home: consider an adult cat with a known, relaxed temperament.
- Family with young children: ask for a cat described as tolerant of handling, often an adult rather than a tiny kitten.
- Home with another cat: ask for a cat that has lived with cats before.
- Pedigreed breed: say which registry papers you expect (for example CFA or TICA) and that you want to see health test results.
Staying open on color or sex usually brings more replies than a narrow wish list.
What should you put in a cat wanted ad?
| Detail | Example |
|---|---|
| The cat you hope for | Young adult female, any color, friendly with people |
| Breed or type | Ragdoll or Ragdoll mix, or any domestic shorthair |
| Your household | Two adults, one calm 9-year-old cat, no dogs, indoor-only home |
| Location and travel | Columbus, Ohio; happy to drive up to 60 miles |
| Budget | Willing to pay a fair rehoming fee, or a breeder price for a registered kitten |
| Timing | Ready now, or in a month after a move |
| What you will do | Meet the cat first, sign an agreement, keep vet care up to date |
- Write a clear title, for example Wanted: adult indoor cat for quiet home in Denver.
- Open with one or two sentences about you and why you want a cat.
- List the details from the table in short lines.
- Say that you will meet the cat and the owner in person before paying.
- Add a photo of your home setup, such as a scratching post or a cat tree, rather than personal photos.
- Choose the Wanted listing type and your location, then publish.
You can post a free cat wanted ad on PetzLover. Replies arrive through PetzLover's messages.
How much should you budget for a cat in the US?
Prices depend on where the cat comes from. Shelter and rescue adoption fees and private rehoming fees are usually modest, while kittens from registered breeders of popular breeds cost far more. Look at current cat wanted and sale listings near you and local shelters to get a realistic figure for your area, and state a range rather than a single number.
Remember the cost after bringing the cat home: vet visits, vaccinations, spay or neuter if not done, food, litter and a carrier. A price that seems too low for a pedigreed kitten is one of the most common signs of a scam.
If adoption suits you, our guide on how to adopt a cat explains shelter and rescue fees and home checks, and buying a kitten in the United States covers breeders, contracts and health tests.
How do you avoid scams after posting a cat wanted ad?
Wanted ads attract fake sellers who reply with photos of the exact kitten you described. The Better Business Bureau reports that fraudulent sellers advertise kittens that are never delivered, and a common pattern is an upfront payment followed by extra demands for a special crate, insurance or shipping.
- Insist on video or a visit. The FTC says that if a seller will not let you visit, video chat or even talk by phone, move on.
- Reverse-search the photos. The FTC suggests checking whether pictures are copied from elsewhere.
- Search the seller's name with words like scam or complaint.
- Avoid untraceable payment. Nobody legitimate requires gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency; the FTC recommends a credit card for the most protection.
- Refuse shipping from strangers. Collect the cat yourself, or meet halfway, after you have seen it.
- Never share a verification code sent to your phone, whatever reason you are given.
How do you check replies to your cat wanted ad?
Treat each reply like an interview in both directions. Ask for the cat's age, health history, vaccinations, spay or neuter status and microchip number, and why the owner is rehoming. Ask to see vet records before you travel.
- Kittens should be at least eight weeks old; some states, such as Massachusetts and Florida, bar transferring kittens younger than that.
- Ask to see the mother cat with a litter; a breeder or owner who will never show her is a warning sign.
- For pedigreed cats, ask for registration papers and health test results, and check with the registry if in doubt.
- Meet in daylight, bring someone with you and take a carrier.
- Get the microchip transferred to your name on the day of handover.
For the other side of the process, see how to respond to a cat wanted ad. If a free cat is offered, our guide on getting a free cat safely covers the hidden costs and checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I post a cat wanted ad for free?
You can post a cat wanted ad for free on the site and get replies by message. Choose the Wanted listing type and add your city so local owners can find you.
What should a cat wanted ad say?
Say what cat you hope for, describe your household, give your city and travel distance, and include a budget and timeline. Add that you will meet the cat before paying.
Is it safe to have a kitten shipped to me?
Buying a shipped kitten from someone you have never met is one of the most common pet scam patterns reported to the BBB. Collect the cat yourself after meeting it, or at least confirm it on a live video call first.
Should I put my budget in a cat wanted ad?
A range helps owners decide whether to reply and avoids wasted messages. Check local listings and shelter fees first so your range is realistic for your area.
How old should a kitten be before I take it home?
At least eight weeks. Some states, such as Massachusetts and Florida, bar transferring kittens younger than eight weeks, and kittens benefit from time with their mother.
What if a reply looks like a scam?
Stop replying, do not send money, and use the Report Scam button on the listing. Report any loss at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to BBB Scam Tracker.
Helpful guides
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Cat Wanted" Ad in the United StatesBefore you answer a cat wanted ad, check that the person is real, can keep a cat where they live and will meet in person, and refuse any overpayment or shipping request.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Kitten or Cat in the United StatesBuy a kitten or cat in the US by meeting the seller and the kitten in person, checking vet records and papers, and paying only after you see the animal; budget about $1,900 for the first year.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Kittens and Cats in the United StatesSell kittens or cats in the US by checking state and local rules, waiting until at least 8 weeks, providing vet records, writing an honest ad and meeting buyers in person with a written contract.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Kitten or Cat Safely in the United StatesA free kitten or cat in the US still needs vaccines, testing, a microchip and spay or neuter; meet the owner and animal first, never pay shipping fees, and see a vet within a few days.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Kitten or Cat for Free Without Risk in the United StatesGive a kitten or cat away safely in the US by waiting until kittens are 8 weeks or older, screening every caller, meeting in person, signing a short rehoming agreement and transferring the microchip.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Kitten or Cat in the United StatesTo adopt a cat in the US, choose a shelter, rescue or owner listing, complete the application and meeting, pay the adoption fee, then give the cat a quiet room and a vet visit in the first weeks.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Kitten or Cat for Adoption in the United StatesList a cat or kitten for adoption in the US by setting clear adopter criteria, preparing vet records, charging a fair fee, screening applicants with a meeting, and signing an adoption contract with a return clause.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Kitten or Cat in the United StatesBefore taking in a rehomed cat in the US, ask the owner why it is being rehomed and about its health, habits and vet records, meet it at home, then give it a quiet room and several weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Kitten or Cat Responsibly in the United StatesRehome your cat responsibly in the US by checking any return clause first, preparing vet records, writing an honest listing, screening applicants in person and handing over with a signed agreement and microchip transfer.
Pet for MatingHow to Find a Mate or Stud for Your Cat in the United StatesBefore you look for a cat stud in the US, check that both cats are registered, health tested and blood typed, and agree the terms in a written stud agreement.
Pet for MatingHow to Advertise Your Cat for Mating in the United StatesFinish health tests and blood typing, check local breeding rules, then list your cat for mating with papers, results and clear stud terms, and screen every queen owner.
Lost PetHow to Help Find a Lost Cat in the United StatesLost cats usually hide silently close to home, so the most useful help is to search your own yard, garage and shed, report sightings with a photo and time, and never chase.
Lost PetWhat to Do When Your Cat Is Lost in the United StatesIf your cat is lost, search hiding spots within a few houses first, update the microchip registry, visit shelters in person, post a lost cat ad, and never pay a stranger before you see your cat.
Found PetHow to Find Your Lost Cat Through Found-Pet Ads in the United StatesCheck found cat ads and shelter lists every day, match by photos rather than descriptions, and have vet records, microchip papers and photos ready to prove the cat is yours.
Found PetWhat to Do When You Find a Cat in the United StatesWhen you find a cat, first check whether it is really lost, then get a free microchip scan, report it to local animal services, post a found cat ad and check proof before handing it over.