Post-Adoption FAQ

TCR is financially unable to cover every health concern that may arise after adoption.

If a medical concern is reported within the first 7 days following adoption, TCR will review the situation on a case-by-case basis. TCR may consider providing assistance where there is compelling evidence that a significant medical condition existed prior to adoption and warrants review.

The nature and severity of the condition, available medical information, and the circumstances of the case will all be considered. The reporting of a medical concern within 7 days of adoption does not guarantee that TCR will assume responsibility for veterinary costs or provide financial assistance. Any decision to provide financial assistance remains at TCR’s sole discretion.

A cat that hasn’t eaten in more than 24 hours can be in danger because of their fast metabolism. Try offering them a buffet of different kinds of wet and dry food to stimulate their appetites. Often warming up wet food in the microwave for ten seconds will encourage them to eat.

If your cat continues to not eat and is lethargic, it needs to be seen by your veterinarian.

It is very common for cats to develop mild upper respiratory symptoms after adoption. In many cases, these symptoms are not a new illness but rather a flare-up of Feline Herpesvirus (FHV), a common virus that many cats carry for life. Stressful events such as moving to a new home, changes in routine, or meeting new people and pets can trigger these flare-ups.

Symptoms may include sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, eye discharge, or mild cold-like signs. If your cat is eating normally, drinking, and maintaining a normal energy level, these symptoms will often improve on their own with time and supportive care.

If your cat becomes lethargic, stops eating, has difficulty breathing, develops significant eye discharge, or has symptoms that persist for several days without improvement, you should seek veterinary care promptly.

It is quite common for a cat to develop diarrhea when they experience a change in surroundings. This is often a result of stress and/or a change in diet. If the cat is eating a high-quality, consistent diet, the diarrhea will often improve within a week as they adjust to their new environment.

One of the best ways to support recovery is to maintain a consistent diet and avoid frequent food changes. Supporting gut health can also be beneficial, and some adopters choose to use a veterinary-recommended probiotic to help restore normal intestinal balance.

If the diarrhea gets worse or is not improving or the cat is lethargic, it is time to visit a veterinarian.

All TCR cats receive treatment for both internal and external parasites upon intake. This includes routine deworming as well as treatment for common external parasites such as fleas.

Cats are not routinely treated repeatedly for worms after their initial treatment unless there is evidence of an ongoing parasite infection. Because rescue cats often come from unknown backgrounds and may have been exposed to parasites prior to arriving at TCR, some cats may require additional treatment after adoption.

If you observe worms in your cat’s stool or have concerns about parasites, please consult your veterinarian.

Both of these diseases are relatively rare and the cost of testing is prohibitive so it is not standard practice for TCR to test our cats. Some TCR cats come to us already tested. TCR will test a cat for FIV/FeLV if the cat is not responsive to treatment or exhibits typical signs of the viruses.

For more information on this topic please read the following article:
Why are some shelters no longer testing all cats for FeLV and FIV?

This is not uncommon! There are several things you can do to adjust to your new cat. Keeping the cat out of your bedroom, frequent vacuuming, purchasing an air purifier, and feeding your cat a good quality diet can all improve allergy symptoms.

If you have tried these tips and continue to experience an allergic reaction, or your reaction is severe, please contact us through our online form.

Yes, TCR does microchip all of our cats prior to adoption.

When the adoption of your cat is processed, the microchip is automatically registered to your name. You will receive confirmation of this by email sent directly by 24Petwatch. If you haven’t received confirmation within 10 days of adoption, please contact us via the online form.

All adopters residing in the City of Toronto will receive a mandatory cat license for one year. It may take up to 4-6 weeks for your license to arrive. If you have not received it after that time, please contact us via our online form.