I adopted my first cat in Ireland back in 2019—Piklu, a one-year-old British Shorthair with the softest fur and the sassiest personality.
The adoption process taught me a lot, including many things that aren’t exactly common knowledge. So if you’re thinking about bringing a cat into your life, you’re in the right place! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to adopt a cat in Ireland.
Before You Adopt A Cat: Ask Yourself These Questions
Adopting a cat is a rewarding experience, but it’s also a long-term commitment. Before diving in, take a moment to reflect:
- Am I mentally and emotionally ready to care for a cat?
- Do I have the time and energy to form a bond and meet their needs?
- Would I prefer a playful kitten or a more settled adult cat?
- Do I know the differences in care and behavior between younger and older cats?
- What will I do if I need to travel—who will take care of the cat?
- Is my lifestyle (social life, work hours, etc.) compatible with pet ownership?
- Have I considered the ongoing costs of food, vet care, and more?
You don’t need to answer “yes” to all these questions, but being aware of them is essential. Remember, adopting a cat is a lifelong commitment.
Step 1: Finding a Rescue Centre
Ireland has several fantastic cat rescues. These organisations work tirelessly to find loving homes for abandoned or surrendered cats. When you contact a rescue, they’ll likely ask you:
- Are you looking for an indoor, outdoor, or indoor/outdoor cat?
- Do you have a preference for age—kitten, adult, or senior?
- Do you currently have other pets at home?
- Are you or any family members allergic to cats?
- Are you renting? If so, do you have written permission from your landlord to keep pets?
These questions help the rescue team determine the best match for your lifestyle and ensure a smooth transition for the cat.
Step 2: The Adoption Application
Once you’ve spoken with a rescue, you’ll be asked to fill out an adoption application form. This can usually be downloaded from the rescue’s website, or they’ll provide a copy if needed.
The form will ask for:
- Your basic contact information
- Your living situation (owning vs. renting, house size, etc.)
- Your work hours and daily schedule
- Number of people (and ages of children, if any) in the household
- Your plans for the cat when you’re away or on holiday
The goal of the form isn’t to interrogate you—it’s to ensure the best possible match between you and a potential feline companion.
Step 3: The Home Check
Once your application is reviewed, the rescue will arrange a home visit. Don’t stress—this isn’t a pass/fail test! The purpose is simply to see where the cat will be living and offer helpful advice if needed.
The volunteer will chat with you and your family, assess the home environment, and ensure it’s safe and comfortable for a cat.
Step 4: Feedback & Recommendations
After the home visit, the rescue will provide feedback. If any improvements are needed—such as securing windows or removing potential hazards—they’ll let you know. Once everything checks out, you’re ready for the most exciting part: choosing your cat!
Step 5: Choosing Your Cat
This is a big decision—your new feline friend could be with you for the next 10 to 15 years or more. So take your time. Think beyond appearance and consider temperament, energy levels, and compatibility with your household.
If the rescue offers a “foster-to-adopt” program, take advantage of it. This allows you to bring a cat home temporarily to see if it’s the right fit before finalizing the adoption.
Once you’ve found your perfect match and completed the necessary paperwork, it’s time to welcome your new family member!
Bringing Your Cat Home
Be patient as your cat adjusts to their new home. They may need time to explore, hide, or slowly warm up to everyone. That’s perfectly normal. Offer them love, space, and gentle attention as they settle in.
And remember—you’re never alone. If you have questions or concerns, your rescue centre will be more than happy to support you.
The Cost of Adopting a Cat in Ireland
Thinking about adopting a cat in Ireland? That’s wonderful! One of the most common questions people have is about cost—how much does it actually cost to adopt a cat?
Let’s clear one thing up: you’re not buying a cat, you’re making a donation to the rescue organisation to help cover the cost of care, vet visits, and other essentials. The fee can vary depending on where you’re adopting from, but it usually falls somewhere between €60 to €150.
When I adopted my first cat, Maklu, the donation was €60. A few years later, when I brought home my second cat, I paid €80. Both times, this fee covered things like vaccinations and spaying/neutering—so it’s a small price to pay for a healthy, happy cat.
What’s Included in the Adoption Fee?
While the amount may vary slightly, the adoption fee typically includes:
- Initial vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Spaying or neutering
- A basic health check
- Sometimes even starter food or litter
These services can cost much more if arranged privately, so adopting through a rescue is not only ethical but also cost-effective.
Popular Cat Rescue Centres in Ireland
Ireland has a number of amazing rescue organisations working tirelessly to give cats a second chance at life. Whether you’re in Dublin, Galway, Cork, or beyond, there’s likely a centre near you ready to help you find your feline match.
Dublin SPCA
- Location: Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 H356
- Website: [Dublin SPCA]
- Contact: +353 1 499 4700 | info@dspca.ie
- Adoption Fee: Varies depending on age and health. Usually includes vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter.
- Process: Fill out an adoption application, undergo a screening (including a possible home check), then visit the shelter to meet available cats.
Fun Fact: Dublin SPCA is one of Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare organisations. They’ve even been featured in RTE documentaries!
Cats Aid (Dublin)
- Location: PO Box 5604, Dublin 14
- Website: [Cats Aid]
- Contact: +353 87 294 1805 | catsaid@gmail.com
- Adoption Fee: Donation-based; helps cover veterinary and care costs.
- Process: Browse available cats on their website, then complete an adoption application.
About: Cats Aid is a volunteer-led group that rescues and rehomes stray and abandoned cats. They also advocate for spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation.
Galway Cat Rescue
- Location: Contact for details
- Website: [Galway Cat Rescue]
- Contact: galwaycatrescue@gmail.com
- Adoption Fee: Varies; generally includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping.
- Process: View available cats online or on their Facebook page, contact the team, then arrange a meet-and-greet.
Did You Know? Galway Cat Rescue also runs a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to help manage feral cat colonies.
🐾 Cork Cat Action Trust
- Location: Contact for details
- Website: [Cork Cat Action Trust]
- Contact: corkcatactiontrust@gmail.com
- Adoption Fee: Typically covers vet care, microchipping, and vaccinations.
- Process: Check out adoptable cats on their site or Facebook page, then get in touch to start the process.
About: Cork Cat Action Trust operates a no-kill policy and provides long-term care for cats until they find the perfect home. They also support local TNR efforts in Cork.
Limerick Animal Welfare
- Address: Moorestown, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, V35 H328, Ireland
- Website: [Limerick Animal Welfare]
- Contact:
- Phone: 063 91110
- Out of Hours: 087 6371044
- Email: info@limerickanimalwelfare.ie
- Adoption Fee: Varies depending on the age and health of the cat. Typically includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations.
- Facebook: Find them on Facebook [here].
Adoption Process:
To get started, you can visit the shelter or give them a call to have a chat about the adoption process. After your initial contact, Limerick Animal Welfare will arrange a home visit by one of their staff or volunteers.
There are a couple of important requirements to keep in mind:
- Your cat must sleep inside the family home.
- You need to have a safe and secure garden.
- Shock collars are not allowed under any circumstance.
Once everything is in order and your home is approved, you’ll be all set to welcome your new feline friend!
About Limerick Animal Welfare:
Founded in 1983, this rescue has been a safe haven for thousands of animals over the decades—including not just cats and dogs, but also horses, goats, and more. They also offer low-cost spaying and neutering services to help reduce the number of unwanted animals.
What makes them truly special is their commitment to educating the next generation. They regularly visit schools to teach children about compassion, kindness, and how to care for animals responsibly. A beautiful mission, don’t you think?
A.S.H. Animal Rescue (Co. Wicklow)
- Address: Kiltegan, Rathdangan, County Wicklow, Ireland
- Website: [A.S.H. Animal Rescue]
- Contact:
- Phone: 059 647 3396 (or +353 59 6473396 from outside Ireland)
- Email: ashlm@eircom.net
- Facebook: Follow them on Facebook [here].
- Adoption Fee: Varies depending on the animal’s age and health. This donation helps fund their rescue work.
Adoption Process:
The first step is to fill out an adoption application form, available on their website or by email request. Once submitted, the rescue team may carry out a home visit to ensure that your home environment is suitable for the animal you’re interested in.
If everything checks out, a meet-and-greet will be arranged so you can spend time with your potential new pet. If the connection is there, you’ll move forward with an adoption agreement, which outlines your responsibilities and the care expectations going forward.
About A.S.H. Animal Rescue:
Located in County Wicklow, ASH has been rescuing and rehoming unwanted cats and dogs for years. Animals that can’t be rehomed stay at the shelter in a safe and loving environment for life. All cats over 6 months are neutered before adoption.
Their team relies on public support to continue their lifesaving work—so every adoption and every donation makes a big difference.
These are just a few of the many wonderful organisations around Ireland helping cats find their forever homes. If you want to explore more, you can check out this helpful directory of animal shelters: [Link to Shelter Directory].
Visit Local Adoption Events
In addition to visiting rescue centres, keep an eye out for adoption events in your community. These events are a great way to meet cats in person, see their personalities, and connect with shelter staff who can answer your questions and give advice.
You never know—you might just meet your new best friend at one of these events!
