Surrender Requirements & Availability

Simply Cats receives many requests each day, and as a no-kill shelter, we can only accept friendly, adoptable cats when space is available. If we do not have space, we encourage you to check with other local rescues and organizations, and to check this page regularly for updates. We do not maintain a waiting list.

A staff member will email you once your application is reviewed. For Foster Program Intakes, expect a response within 24 hours (often sooner), as these cases are typically time-sensitive due to age or medical vulnerability. For In-Shelter Intakes, expect a response within 2–3 business days.  

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on donations to cover the cost of care. On average, it costs about $183 per shelter cat per year for spay/neuter, veterinary exams, vaccinations, deworming, disease testing, and microchipping. To help cover these expenses, a surrender fee is required at the time of intake.  

All intakes are by appointment only. Please plan for 20–30 minutes for your appointment so we can complete an intake exam and testing. To keep the intake area calm and low-stress for the cat, a staff member will meet you at the door to bring them inside. You’ll be asked to wait in your car during the appointment.  

All cats receive an intake exam that includes:  

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Testing: Cats may be declined if they test positive.

Ringworm Screening: Cats with a positive result cannot be accepted.

Behavioral Assessment: We cannot accept cats that show aggression or extreme fear toward people or other animals. Cats must be handleable.