About Us
RRATS CATS RESCUE/SANCTUARY is a devoted animal rescue organisation located in Thamesmead, London. Our passion for animals drives us to help cats in need, providing them with a sanctuary where they can heal and find loving homes. We believe that every cat deserves a second chance and work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome them. With a team of dedicated volunteers and a network of compassionate supporters, we ensure that each cat receives the love and care they deserve. Our commitment to education and community outreach helps promote responsible pet ownership and the importance of animal welfare. Join us in our mission to create a world where every cat is safe and loved.
How we operate!
What happens when a cat is surrendered?
When a cat is surrendered to us, the rescue becomes the legal owner of the cat/kitten. This means it is our responsibility to ensure the cat is healthy and ensure each cat gets a full health check and any treatment should it be necessary. Until this is done the cat will go into an isolation room to ensure no risk of contamination to any of the other cats in rescue. After isolation the cat will move along to our rescue room where they will join other cats and kittens waiting to be adopted. We will then organise neutering, vaccines, microchipping and any other treatment needed before moving the cat into a foster placement. In foster they will learn to be in a home environment before going off to their forever home. If you need to surrender your pet please click the link here.
What is the adoption process?
If you decide that adopting a cat is right for you please see our adoption page where you can fill out an online form. The form will then be picked up and gone through by a volunteer who will contact you to discuss your application. We will organise a home visit where one of our trusted volunteers will come to your home and ensure it is a safe and secure environment for one of our cats. Providing the home check goes well we will organise for you to come and meet the cat/kitten you are interested in, if all goes well you can fill out an acceptance form/neutering contract, pay our rehoming fee and take your new fur baby to their forever home. After you have adopted we will be around any time for you to message about any issues you may have and we offer a full rescue back up, meaning if for any reason you cant keep the cat you have adopted from us we will take them back into rescue. We adopt to families with kids, current household pets and also to homes without a garden.
How are our volunteers are vital?
Our volunteers play a huge role in the day to day running of the rescue and behind the scenes. All volunteers must be over 18 and be able to follow instructions well as this is for the safety of the volunteers and the cats. Becoming a volunteer means more to us than something written on paper you become not only part of a great team but part of the family we have built. Our driving roles include driving cats safely to and from the vets or taking volunteers to and from trapping missions. In our cat room we have eight pens and cages where we can keep up to 3 mums and kittens, a group of kittens alone and 4 adult single cats meaning the room is very busy. Day to day volunteers help out in the cat room where our current rescued cats are to maintain hygiene, socialise with the cats and ensure daily feeding schedules are followed. We also have volunteers helping us to fundraise at shops and events as they come up and coming on rescues when needed.
What is the volunteer/fosterer process?
Applying to become a fosterer is very similar to our adoption process (please see above). All processes start with an application form individual to each role, a preliminary phone call, home check and then finally being matched with their foster cat. The main difference between fostering and adopting is that we provide full responsibility for food, litter and vet bills of that cat. Once an adopter has applied for the cat in your care, we will inform you and then arrange a suitable time for the prospective adopters to meet them. Once your foster cat has been adopted you can opt for a cooling down period to take some time off of fostering and provided you want to continue fostering we will arrange another cat to stay with you when you're ready.
if you wish to volunteer please contact us and we can discuss what your responsibilities and roles will be, and arrange for you to come in for a training day where you will be shown the ropes by a fully trained volunteer. You will not be left alone with the cats until you are fully comfortable and competent. For full disclosure, there is CCTV inside and outside the property - due to it being run from the founders home - that is active at all times for the safety and wellbeing of all parties. Under no circumstances will any footage be shared with anyone other than the manager as we take privacy seriously.