The short answer
Rehoming your cat is a responsible choice, not a failure. Submit a free listing on LocalPetFinder's rehoming form in about 5 minutes. Approved within 24 to 48 hours. Your cat appears alongside rescue cats on the main Edmonton listing page. Vetted adopters contact you through a magic-link-verified form, so no spam and no anonymous Kijiji strangers. You stay in control of who meets your cat and when. Most placements happen within 2 to 6 weeks. It is free, safer than Facebook, and faster than the foster-based Edmonton cat rescues, which are routinely full through kitten season.
Rehoming is responsible, not abandonment
Thoughtful rehoming is a kindness. Owners who plan ahead, vet adopters carefully, and write honest listings give their cats the best chance at a stable next chapter. The cats who suffer most are the ones let outside to "find their own way," dumped in an industrial park, or handed to the first stranger on Kijiji. Those outcomes happen when owners delay, panic, or feel ashamed of the decision. None of those is you, because you are reading this.
In our experience working with Alberta rescue families, the people who rehome through a structured platform end up feeling settled about the decision afterward. They picked the family. They saw the cat settle in. They got photo updates. In a city where the river valley is full of coyotes and winters routinely hit -30C, letting a cat out the door "to find a home" is not a humane option. A planned placement is.
So: take a breath. Read this guide. You have time to do it right.
First: should you actually rehome?
Before listing, work through this honest checklist. Some situations look like rehoming problems but are actually fixable, and with cats a surprising number turn out to be medical.
Try these first
- Litter box problems. The number one surrender reason, and very often medical rather than behavioural. Urinary crystals, a bladder infection, or arthritis that makes the box painful to climb into all read as "peeing outside the box." Book a vet visit first. Our Edmonton litter box troubleshooting guide walks through the vet-first process and the box, litter, and placement fixes that solve most cases.
- Spraying or marking. Intact cats spray far more than fixed ones, so neutering or spaying is the first fix. Most marking also traces back to stress: a new pet, a move, a neighbourhood cat at the window. Neutering plus a Feliway diffuser and reducing the stressor resolves a large share of cases.
- Scratching the furniture. Not a reason to give up a cat, and declawing is banned in Alberta (the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association prohibits elective declaw), so no adopter or vet can "fix" it that way either. Two tall sisal posts, a cardboard scratcher, and nail caps solve almost every furniture problem for a few dollars.
- Allergies. Cat allergies are real and often stronger than dog allergies, but they can frequently be managed. A HEPA air purifier, keeping the cat out of bedrooms, weekly damp-wipe grooming, and an allergist's plan buy many families years. Get an allergy panel before assuming the cat is the trigger.
- Temporary housing or money crisis. Moving, divorce, a layoff? The Edmonton Humane Society runs a pet food bank and community support programs aimed at keeping pets with their families through a rough patch, and Parachutes for Pets (Alberta-based) runs an emergency vet-bill fund and crisis foster program. Try a bridge before assuming you have to give up your cat.
If you have tried these and rehoming is still the right answer, the decision is not weakness. It is the right call. Keep reading.
The 4 options, honestly compared
Edmonton owners have four practical paths. Each has real trade-offs. Here is the honest comparison.
Option A. Surrender to an Edmonton cat rescue (EHS, Zoe's, SCARS)
The traditional path. The Edmonton Humane Society is the largest intake in the city and takes cats; Zoe's Animal Rescue and SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) are foster-based and also take cats. EHS often has a surrender fee of $50 to $200 depending on circumstances; the smaller rescues usually ask for a donation based on what you can afford.
Pros. Vetted, established organizations. They handle adopter screening, FIV and FeLV testing, medical workup, and behavioural assessment. You hand over and step back.
Cons. Capacity. EHS is high-volume and the foster-based rescues depend on an open foster home, so through kitten season they are routinely full with waitlists. A shelter cage is also genuinely stressful for most cats, more so than for dogs, and stress can surface litter and health issues that were not a problem at home. You also lose all input on who adopts.
Option B. Kijiji or general Facebook
Fast. Zero vetting. Anyone with an account can answer your ad.
Pros. Speed. Wide reach in Edmonton. Free to post.
Cons. This is where bad outcomes happen, and cats are uniquely exposed. Free-to-good-home cat posts attract people collecting cats to flip or breed, and a smaller but real number who take cats as bait or to feed reptiles. The Alberta SPCA has documented neglect and abandonment cases that started as casual online cat ads. No verified identity, no recourse. We recommend avoiding free-to-good-home posts here entirely.
Option C. Edmonton-specific cat community groups
Closed or moderated Edmonton cat groups on Facebook can be a step up from general Kijiji posts. Members are mostly real cat people, some groups screen posts and ban bad actors, and word-of-mouth is genuinely valuable.
Pros. Community accountability. Many members are foster volunteers or rescue-adjacent.
Cons. No audit trail, no formal contract, no verified identity. Quality varies massively by group.
Option D. LocalPetFinder rehoming portal
The middle ground we built: faster than a shelter surrender, safer than Kijiji.
Pros. Free. Approved in 24 to 48 hours. Your cat is listed on the same page as Edmonton rescue cats, so real adopters see them. Adopters contact you through a magic-link-verified form that filters out almost all spam. You set the terms (fee, trial period, return clause), and your cat stays in your home until the right family is found, with no cage stress.
Cons. You do the adopter screening yourself. You write the listing. You handle the handover. For some owners in genuine crisis, an established rescue is still the better fit. We are an option, not the only option.
How LocalPetFinder rehoming works, step by step
- Submit the rehoming form. Visit /rehome/submit and fill out your cat's info: name, coat type, age, sex, spay/neuter status, compatibility with cats/dogs/kids, indoor or indoor-outdoor, litter habits, FIV and FeLV status, medical history, why you are rehoming, and the ideal home. Upload at least 1 photo (3 to 5 is better). Pick Edmonton from the dropdown and set an optional rehoming fee.
- We review within 24 to 48 hours, checking completeness, photos, and basic safety. We email you if anything needs clarifying.
- Your cat appears on the Edmonton listing page, alongside rescue cats on the main Edmonton cat adoption page, including the kitten, senior, and indoor-only category pages where most searches start.
- Adopters contact you through a magic-link form, verifying their email before a message reaches you. This filters out the spam and time-wasters that flood Kijiji.
- You screen applicants on your terms: experience with cats, resident pets, indoor-only commitment, allergies, their vet, references. Trust your gut.
- Meet and greet, ideally at the adopter's home (a carrier in a strange outdoor place terrifies most cats). Confirm the indoor-only setup and household match what they said.
- Handover with paperwork: a simple agreement (name, microchip, fee, FIV/FeLV disclosure, 30-day return clause, signatures), plus vet records, the current food and litter, and a blanket that smells like home.
- Optional: ask for updates. Most adopters happily send a photo once the cat settles, which can take a week or two. Rehomers say this is the most healing part.
What to include in your listing
The single biggest predictor of a good outcome is an honest listing. Adopters can tell when something is hidden, and they self-select better when the listing is detailed.
The basics (required)
- Name, coat type (domestic shorthair, longhair, tabby, tuxedo), age, sex, spay/neuter status.
- Personality in one line (lap cat, playful, shy, chatty). Be honest.
- 3 to 5 clear photos: a full-body shot, a face shot, and one relaxed at home.
Compatibility and medical (required, honest)
- Good with other cats, dogs, kids? Bonded to a current cat who should come too?
- Indoor-only or used to outdoor access? Litter trained, and any history of accidents?
- FIV and FeLV status. If known, disclose it. If unknown, say so. This is the cat equivalent of a dog's bite history.
- Vaccinations, microchip, City of Edmonton licence, chronic conditions, and the estimated ongoing cost of any medication.
Why you are rehoming, and the ideal home
Adopters trust honest answers more than vague ones. Be straight about the reason, and describe the right home: quiet adult home, family with a cat-friendly dog, only cat or happy with a feline housemate, indoor-only. Specifics filter applicants for you.
Crisis-specific guidance
Moving
Whether moving out of Edmonton, to a no-pets building, or in with someone allergic, you usually have 30 to 90 days notice. Start the listing immediately. Try to avoid listing at the peak of kitten season (mid-summer). If a winter handover involves transport, do not move a cat during a -30C cold snap.
Eviction
If your landlord wants the cat gone within 30 days, contact the Edmonton Humane Society first; they have the most cat capacity and sometimes accept emergency surrenders ahead of the waitlist. In parallel, submit a LocalPetFinder listing. If you can negotiate even 30 to 60 more days from the landlord in writing, a rehoming placement is usually feasible in that window.
Financial crisis, new baby, divorce, or a death in the family
For money troubles, check whether a 90 to 180 day bridge gets you back on solid ground; Parachutes for Pets and the Edmonton Humane Society pet food bank exist for exactly this. For a new baby or allergy, see "Try these first" before listing. For divorce, document who is deciding and that both parties consent in writing. For a death in the family, most extended families can hold the cat for 60 to 90 days while you arrange a careful placement, and Edmonton rescues are unusually accommodating in these situations.
Ready to list your cat?
Free, vetted, and approved within 24 to 48 hours. Your cat stays in your home until the right family is found. Magic-link verified contact form so you only hear from real adopters.
Start Your Free Listing →Anti-scam warnings (read every line)
Even with a verified contact form, know the red flags. The Government of Alberta animal welfare program documents recurring scam patterns.
Red flags from adopters
- "I'll take any cat" or "I'll take all of them." Real adopters are picky about temperament, age, and fit. Generic interest is a collector or flipper.
- Wanting a free "barn cat" or "mouser" with no other questions. An indoor pet cat dumped on an acreage in an Alberta winter does not survive. Do not place one as a working cat without a real conversation and a home visit.
- Pressure to skip the meet-and-greet. Anyone refusing a home visit is hiding their living situation.
- Offering much more than your asking fee. Classic flipper or breeder-scout move. Do not be flattered.
- Refusing to share their name, address, or vet. Real adopters have nothing to hide.
- Cash-only handover with no agreement. Always insist on a written agreement and a paper trail (e-transfer beats cash).
If you witness or suspect cruelty, the Alberta SPCA cruelty reporting line is the right place to call.
The rehoming agreement (template)
A short written agreement protects both sides. Both parties sign, both keep a copy. Cover:
- Cat's name, age, microchip number, coat or breed; transfer date; rehoming fee paid (even if zero).
- What is included (vet records, food, litter, licence transfer info, supplies).
- FIV/FeLV disclosure: both parties confirm the cat's status (or that it is untested) has been disclosed in writing.
- Return clause: if the adoption does not work out within 30 days, the cat returns to the original owner at no cost.
- Signatures, dates, and contact info for both.
You do not need a lawyer. A simple signed text document is legally adequate. Keep a digital and a paper copy.
What about the City of Edmonton cat licence?
Edmonton licenses cats, not just dogs. Under the city's Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw, cats must be licensed. When ownership transfers, the new owner should update the licence with the City of Edmonton (through 311 or the Animal Care and Control portal), and you should cancel your own registration on that cat once they confirm, so you are not held responsible for bylaw matters in the new home. Microchip registration is separate; update the chip registry too, especially for an indoor cat who could slip out during a move.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rehome my cat through LocalPetFinder?
Nothing. Listing your cat is free. Magic-link verification, photo upload, and the contact form are all included. We do not take a cut if you charge a rehoming fee to the new family.
How long until my cat's listing goes live?
Usually 24 to 48 hours. After you submit the form, our team reviews the listing for completeness and basic safety, then it appears alongside rescue cats on the main Edmonton listing page. Vetted adopters contact you through a magic-link-verified form.
Should I charge a rehoming fee?
Yes, even a small one. A modest fee ($20 to $100) filters out people collecting free cats to flip, breed, or worse. Free-to-good-home cat posts on Kijiji and Facebook are the highest-risk listings in Alberta. A fee signals your cat is loved and you care where they end up. Donate it to an Edmonton cat rescue afterwards if you do not want to keep it.
What if no one applies after my cat is listed?
Most Edmonton cats find a new home within 2 to 6 weeks of being listed. Timing matters: kitten season (roughly April to October) floods every Edmonton shelter with litters, so an adult cat listed in July competes with hundreds of kittens. If you can, list outside kitten season. Senior cats, FIV-positive cats, and cats with medical needs can take 6 to 12 weeks. At 90 days with no traction, contact us and we will help you re-evaluate the listing or refer you to an Edmonton cat rescue.
Can I see the new home before I hand my cat over?
Yes, and you should. Ask for a video tour or do a meet-and-greet at the adopter's home. If your cat is indoor-only, confirm the new home will keep them indoors. Edmonton has coyotes through the river valley and brutal winters, so an indoor cat let outside does not last long. Many Edmonton rehomers also do a 1-week or 2-week trial period with a written agreement that says the cat comes back if it does not work.
My cat has litter box or behaviour problems. Can I still rehome them?
Yes, but disclose everything honestly, and get a vet check first. Litter box avoidance is the most common reason cats are surrendered, and it is very often medical (urinary crystals, a UTI, arthritis) rather than behavioural. A vet visit can solve what looks unsolvable. Spraying usually improves after neutering and reducing household stress. If problems persist, list them plainly. Some Edmonton adopters specifically want a project cat.
My cat is FIV-positive, FeLV-positive, senior, or has medical issues. Will anyone adopt them?
Yes. FIV-positive cats live long, normal lives indoors. Senior and special-needs cats are adopted from Edmonton rescues every month, and several Edmonton rescues run dedicated special-needs programs adopters already trust. You MUST disclose FIV or FeLV status in writing, the same way a dog owner discloses bite history. Provide vet records and be honest about ongoing costs.
What if my cat was originally adopted from an Edmonton rescue?
Most Edmonton rescue adoption contracts include a return clause. The Edmonton Humane Society, Zoe's Animal Rescue, and SCARS generally require you to return the cat to them first, before listing elsewhere. Check your original adoption contract. Returning to the source rescue is usually the right move because they know the cat and have a vetted network of past applicants.
Is rehoming faster than surrendering to a shelter?
Often yes. The Edmonton Humane Society takes cats but is high-volume, and the smaller foster-based rescues (Zoe's, SCARS) depend on an open foster home, so through kitten season they are routinely full. A self-managed rehoming through LocalPetFinder typically takes 2 to 6 weeks, and your cat stays in your home (far less stress than a shelter cage) the entire time. The trade-off: you do the adopter screening.
What if I have an emergency and need to rehome this week?
Contact the Edmonton Humane Society's surrender line first; they have the most cat capacity in the city and prioritize crisis cases. In parallel, list on LocalPetFinder so you have multiple options open. If the situation is a 24-hour eviction or domestic crisis, also reach out to the Alberta SPCA helpline. Do NOT post on Kijiji or Facebook in a panic. Crisis cat posts attract the worst applicants.
Final word
Rehoming a cat is one of the hardest decisions an Edmonton owner can make, and one of the most loving when done thoughtfully. You are not failing your cat. You are giving them a chance at a more stable next chapter. The cats whose stories end well are the ones whose owners did exactly what you are doing now: paused, read, planned, and chose carefully. When you are ready, the form is at /rehome/submit.