How to adopt a cat in Sweden

I have a cat from 2021 (Picchu, 1 year old then, British Shorthair). For having a cat, i have been gone through different experiences that are not so “common Knowledge”.

In this article, i will describe you my every single experiences that i have been gone through this whole adoption process. I hope this article will make your first cat adoption process smoother.

But before adopting a cat, you need to ask some questions yourself:

Are you ready in your mind to take care of a cat?
Can you give your time, effort, and love to a cat?
Would you prefer a young kitten or a grown-up cat? They act quite differently based on their age, are you aware of that?
If you need to leave home for a while, who will look after the cat?
If you often go out with friends or have many activities, how will that affect the cat?
Have you thought about how much it will cost to keep a cat?
Do you have enough time to meet all the cat’s needs?

It’s important to think about these things to make sure you and your future pet are happy together! 😺

Adopting a cat from a cat shelter or rescues in Sweden

If you go to a cat shelter to adopt a cat, they are likely to ask you these several questions.

Cat’s Nature: Do you want a playful kitten, a cuddly lap cat, or a more independent feline friend? Understanding your desires helps them recommend suitable cats
Cat’s Age: Would you like an older cat, a young kitten, or a cat that’s somewhere in between?
Other Pets: If you have other pets, it’s important to choose a cat that can get along with them.
Allergies: It’s good to know if cat fur bothers you before you decide to get a cat.
Home Type: If you own your home, you can decide if you want a pet. If you rent, you’ll need to ask your landlord if it’s okay to have a cat.

After taking these information, they will let you fill up an adoption application form. After that, a team will visit your house and verify your informations.

Remember, your adoption cost may reduce if you adopt a cat from any rescue organization instead of a cat shelter.

The Adoptin Application Form:

You will get the adoption form in the website of the cat shelters. If not, then if you visit the cat shelters, they will provie you a paper form. The application form fillup process is easy. They will ask you some simple question like your home address, your type of home, contact info, what type of cat do you want etc.

The purpose of this form is to match you with a suitable cat. There are lots of cats in shelters due to owners who were unable to care for them. The shelter must check if your home is a good environment for a cat.

Home Check:

A team will visit your home to verify your informations and also to see what type of cat is really perfect for the environment of your house. But they will not judge whether you are ready to have a cat or not.

Recommendations:

After they check your home, the rescue center will tell you how you did. They’ll give you tips on what to fix if needed.

Ready for a Cat?: If all is good, great news! You can get a cat.

Need to Make Changes?:

If there’s something not right, they’ll explain what it is. Then you can make it better so you can have a cat later.

Choose Your Cat:

Choosing a cat is a big decision because you’ll be together for many years. It’s important to take your time and think carefully about the best cat for you, without letting your feelings decide too quickly. If you can, try fostering a cat first. This way, you can see if you both get along well before making it official.

When you find your perfect cat and finish all the paperwork, you can take them home. Remember, they’ll need some time to get used to their new place, so be patient. If you have any questions, the shelter or rescue group will be there to help.

Once you bring your cat home, show them lots of love and care. They’ll soon become a loving part of your life, giving you lots of joy and friendship.

Costs to adopt a cat in Sweden:

The adoption fee for a cat in Sweden can vary depending on the organization you adopt from, but it typically falls between 1,000 SEK and 2,500 SEK (approximately $115 – $290 USD).

Here’s a breakdown:

Animal shelters: Shelters like Stockholm Cat Shelter typically charge around 2,500 SEK which covers vaccinations, microchipping, neutering/spaying, and basic care while at the shelter.

Rescue organizations: Adoption fees can vary but may be slightly lower than shelters. Regina Cat Rescue, for instance, mentions a $100 adoption fee.

It’s important to remember that adoption fees are meant to cover the expenses of caring for the cat and not a profit motive for the shelters or rescues.

Here’s a list of 5 cat shelters and rescue organizations in Sweden:

1. Stockholms Katthem (Stockholm Cat Shelter)

Address: Sockenvägen 10, 122 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Website: https://www.katthemmet.nu/
Contact Number: +46 8-500 244 00
Adoption Fee: Approximately 2,500 SEK (around $290 USD), covering vaccinations, microchipping, neutering/spaying, and basic care.
Facebook Group: Stockholms Katthem Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stockholmskatthem/?locale=sv_SE
About: A large shelter known for its well-equipped facilities and dedication to cat welfare. Their adoption fee reflects the thorough care they provide.

2. Djurens Rätt (Animal Rights Sweden)

Address: Box 157, 101 21 Stockholm, Sweden (no physical shelter location)
Website: https://djurensratt.se/
Contact Number: +46 8-550 588 00
Adoption Fee: Doesn’t run a physical shelter but advocates for adoption through partner shelters. Provides resources for finding cats in need of homes.
Facebook Group: Djurens Rätt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djurensratt/
About: Focuses on animal rights advocacy and legislation. While not a shelter itself, they connect potential adopters with rescue partners.

3. Katthemmet i Borlänge (Borlänge Cat Shelter)

Address: Backvägen 6, 784 30 Borlänge, Sweden
Contact Number: +46 243-22 12 10
Adoption Fee: Information not available online, but likely falls within the typical range of 1,000 SEK – 2,500 SEK.
About: A local cat shelter providing care and finding forever homes for cats in the Borlänge area. Their website is in Swedish, but you can contact them directly for adoption details.

Katthemmet i Växjö (Växjö Cat Shelter)

Address: Teleborgegatan 30, 352 46 Växjö, Sweden
Website: https://djurensvanner.se/vaxjo/ (Swedish only)
Contact Number: +46 470-77 05 00
Adoption Fee: Information not available online, but likely falls within the typical range of 1,000 SEK – 2,500 SEK.
Facebook Group: Katthemmet i Växjö Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaxjohemlosakatter/?locale=sv_SE
About: Katthemmet i Växjö is a cat shelter located in southern Sweden. Similar to Katthemmet Helsingborg, their website is only available in Swedish. You can contact them directly for adoption fees and other information.

Djurskyddet Sverige (Animal Welfare Sweden)

Address: Hammarby Fabriksväg 25, 120 30 Stockholm, Sweden
Website: www.djurskyddet.se (English available)
Contact Number: +46 8-702 07 00
Adoption Fee: Varies depending on the local member organization.
Facebook Group: Djurskyddet Sverige Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djurskyddet/?locale=sv_SE
About: Djurskyddet Sverige is a national organization with 42 member organizations spread across Sweden. Each member organization operates independently and may have varying adoption fees and processes.

Adopting a cat means you’ll be its buddy for a very long time, so get ready to give it lots of love and care for many years. When you welcome a cat that needs a home, you’re helping it and making your life better too, in lots of fun and surprising ways. Why not begin the adventure of being a cat’s human today? You’ll find out how wonderful it is to adopt and have a new friend in your life.