● Surrender Program

Here’s what you need to know:

We know surrendering a pet is never an easy decision. Whether it’s due to housing changes, medical needs, financial challenges, behavior struggles, or anything else— you’re here because you care about your cat(s) or are helping someone with their cat(s) and we want to honor that.

1. Our goal is to support both you and your cat.

You can be honest with us about your situation and we will try our best to help you find the best possible solution—whether that’s through our rescue or other options.

2. We are a small rescue with limited space.

Furballs Cat Rescue operates entirely through foster homes and our pet store partners for in-store placement and availability in both areas can be extremely limited. We do not have a physical shelter location yet! Because of this, we cannot always take cats immediately.

3. Rehoming on your own can often be faster

In many cases, finding a new home yourself may be the quickest way to get your cat into a safe, stable environment. We encourage owners to try the following:

  • Post in local Facebook community groups

  • Use neighborhood platforms like Nextdoor

  • Charge a reasonable adoption fee to deter impulse or bad adopters

  • Thoroughly vet each potential adopter (ask questions, request references, and, if possible, do a meet-and-greet)

4. We prioritize the wellness of every cat in our rescue

Every cat we accept becomes our responsibility—emotionally, medically and financially. Because we are a small, independent 501c3 volunteer-run rescue, we require a surrender fee to help cover medical care. Additionally, donated items are greatly appreciated and go directly toward caring for the cat in their foster home (food, litter, toys, bedding, etc.).

5. Is Furballs funded by the county?

Independent animal rescues like ours are not funded by the government or county. Municipal (city/county) shelters are typically government-run and funded by tax dollars. In contrast, independent rescues work with county shelters to save lives and intake animals from high-volume euthanasia lists. And sometimes pledges are offered by local advocates to help support the animal(s) after being pulled.

Next Steps

If surrendering is still the route you need to take, please complete the form below. This gives us essential information about your cat’s personality, health and history so we can determine how to best assist.

Once submitted, a member of our team will review your information and reach out as soon as possible. Please be patient and kind to us, thank you!

● Surrender Program Overview

  • We assess each situation individually. Severe aggression or feral behavior may require placement with specialized rescues or outdoor cat programs. We will advise you honestly based on what is safest for the cat and our foster network.

  • We cannot guarantee updates once the cat is in our care, but you are welcome to request a follow-up. Our priority is placing the cat in a safe, permanent home.

  • Yes, but space fills quickly—especially during kitten season. If the kittens are unweaned or the mother is not present, please let us know right away so we can assess urgent needs.

  • Donations are always appreciated. Items we can always use include:

    • Wet and dry cat food (any brand)

    • Litter (Clumping Clay litter)

    • Blankets

    • Toys, scratchers, and enrichment items (gently-used or new)

    • Carriers

    • Cleaning supplies (unscented wipes, paper towels, OdoBan)

    • Amazon Wishlist Items here

  • It depends! Many issues—litter box problems, scratching, minor aggression— can be resolved with simple adjustments. Let us know what’s going on, and we’ll do our best to offer suggestions or resources before surrender becomes necessary.

  • We can still accept unaltered cats. The surrender fee helps cover the cost of spay/neuter, which is required before adoption.

  • Yes, when we have appropriate foster space available. Please include all medical information in your form so we can assess what care is needed and ensure we have a foster equipped to handle it.

  • By Georgia law, we are not allowed to take in stray cats, as they must first go through the proper legal holding period at your local animal control or county shelter to give an owner the opportunity to reclaim their pet.


    After the required hold, many shelters will work with rescues like ours for transfer if space allows.

    If the cat is friendly and safe to handle, we recommend:

    • Having the cat scanned for a microchip at any vet or animal shelter (usually free)

    • Checking lost-pet pages, local Facebook groups, and neighborhood apps

    • Posting “found pet” notices online and around the area

    • Reaching out for TNR

  • That’s okay—many cats have preferences. We just need to know up front so we can place them in a foster home that matches their needs.

  • Every organization has different policies. When possible, the cat should be returned to the original rescue, as most require this in their contract. If they cannot take the cat back, we will consider intake depending on space.

  • The form is required for all surrenders. It ensures we have complete information for each cat to make the best placement decision before arranging anything.

  • It depends on the illness and available foster resources. Some contagious conditions require strict isolation. We will advise based on the specific situation.

  • We will provide rehoming guidance, suggest platforms to use and offer tips for safely screening adopters. We also recommend reaching out to other local rescues and shelters, as availability varies and another group may have space sooner. Even when we cannot take a cat immediately, we will still do our best to support you.

  • For privacy and safety, we cannot arrange meetings with fosters. However, all foster homes are screened, approved, and supervised by our rescue.

  • We can sometimes work with this depending on the cause (stress, medical issues, marking, etc.). Please be honest about any litter box challenges so we can assess whether we have an appropriate foster.

  • We consider medically complex cats on a case-by-case basis and depending on foster availability. Some health issues require specialized care, so space may be limited.

  • Yes, but please indicate your relationship to the cat and provide as much history as possible. The legal owner should complete the form.

  • We are not an emergency clinic and cannot provide urgent medical treatment on intake. For emergencies, please contact a vet or emergency hospital first.

  • Purebred cats are accepted like any other cat. Please include breed details so we can place them appropriately.

  • No. Furballs Cat Rescue is a no-kill rescue, and euthanasia is only considered for humane reasons (untreatable suffering or extreme, dangerous aggression)

  • We do not offer temporary boarding. However, we can share local boarding options or resources if needed.

  • Yes— our adoption contract requires that the cat be returned to us if you cannot keep them. Please fill out the form so we can arrange intake as soon as space allows.