Apply
If you’re interested in adopting one of our animals, please take a moment to carefully review our adoption process before completing the appropriate online application form below.
Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by one of our team. Please be patient with our volunteers, we will respond as soon as we can.
Why We Adopt Kittens in Pairs — or to Homes With Other Cats
Welcoming a kitten into your home is a joyful event, but we approach adoption with care and intention — especially when it comes to how kittens grow, learn, and thrive. Here’s why we only place kittens in pairs or to homes with an existing cat;
Kittens Learn From Each Other and need feline interaction to develop bite inhibition, boundaries, and emotional regulation. Without a fellow kitten or cat to model behaviour, they may become overly aggressive, anxious, or socially underdeveloped.
What Is “Single Kitten Syndrome”?
This term describes the behavioural issues that often arise when a kitten is raised alone. Symptoms may include destructive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, rough play with humans, and difficulty adapting socially. These kittens don’t learn how to “cat” properly — which can lead to lifelong challenges in behaviour and well-being.
2. Online Chat & Virtual Checks
If your application form is approved, you will be invited to join an online chat with members of the rescues admin & trustee team.
You will need to submit a home check video so the team can complete a virtual assessment of your premises and garden. Please see our quick guide on how to film your home check video [here] before submitting your application
If your virtual home check is approved, the animals foster carer will be invited to join the online group. This is your opportunity to chat and ask any questions about the animal, share photos/videos.
3. Foster Home Visit
A visit can then be arranged for you to visit your potential new animal at their foster carers home. This is an opportunity for you and your family/other pets to meet and get to know your chosen animal.
You can chat with their foster carer and get tips and advice including how to help ensure your new animal settles in, how to prepare your home for their arrival, ensure you have the right food and equipment etc.
Please note: this is not adoption day, the animal does not leave us at this stage.
4. Adoption
Once everyone is happy that your chosen animal is the right fit for you, and your home is set up ready for your newest addition, the HART team will send over your adoption agreement.
Once everything is reviewed and signed, you and the animals foster carer can arrange an adoption date to pick up your new family member.
5. Settling in..
It’s only natural during a period of change for your new animal to be unsettled. All the new people, sights and smells will mean they need time to get comfortable with their new surroundings.
Please be patient with them, and do not worry. The HART team are available to offer advice to help you and your pet settle into your new life together, as well as answer any questions you may have.
Important Rehoming Information:
We request the following rehoming donations to help us, as a volunteer led rescue, to cover the costs of care, neutering, worm & flea treatments, and any other veterinary care required for the animals that come to us.
Dogs-£450
Cats-£170
Small Animals- Dependant on animal
All cats & dogs rehomed with us are chipped, vaccinated & neutered (when age and weight appropriate) before leaving their foster home (this is covered by the above adoption donation fees).
If you live in rented accommodation, we will need your landlords written consent sent to us via email prior to adopting.
We are a volunteer run rescue, all of our workers/foster carers have full time work/family commitments. Please be patient and respect their time.
All ultimate rehoming decisions are made by our Trustees, if you have any concerns please contact us.
Ready to Apply?
Before submitting an application, please confirm that you’ve read and understood our adoption process.