Cat Welfare is a shelter for stray cats and kittens only.
Cat Welfare always takes back cats that were adopted from our shelter.
If you adopted a cat from us and need to return it, then you can do so at any
time. However, we do ask that, if possible, that you call and let our staff
know so they can prepare a cage and pull the cats paperwork. The staff will
need to know the name of the person that adopted the cat and the year you
adopted from us.
Unfortunately, our shelter has to put to sleep cats that test positive
for FIV (feline AIDS), FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), or FeLK (feline leukemia)
since we have over 250 cats (many that are not in cages) and do not
have the facilities to keep them in a separate area. If you have a cat that
has tested positive for FIV, FIP, or FeLK, and would like more information on
shelters that may be able to help or ways that you can keep the cat in your
household (even if you have other cats), then please
click here.
Since Cat Welfare is a no-kill shelter, we can only take cats in when we have
cage space available. We do accept severely injured or pregnant stray cats at any time
during our normal shelter hours of 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. However, if you have found a severely
injured or pregnant cat, then we do ask that you call our shelter first so the staff
can be prepared and know what to expect.
All admissions need to be approved via our shelter staff since they know what
our current situation and cage availability is. Admissions cannot be approved via
email and must be approved by speaking with a staff person at the shelter.
You can call our shelter any day between the hours of 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at
614-268-6096. On Tuesdays & Wednesdays the phone is answered from 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Please, note that the first Thursday of every month we are closed and that we are also closed
on major holidays. We have installed a new automated phone system to try
and help answer basic questions about our shelter so people that have emergency or
admissions questions can get through to our staff quicker. However, since at times
we do receive many calls for admissions, you may have to try calling several times
if you get a busy signal. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
If we are currently full, then you can ask if you can schedule an appointment
for a date in the future and the staff may be able to schedule something for you.
You can also contact the below groups (most take in pets and/or strays):
Capital Area Humane Society (will always accept animals but may euthanize ill or non-sociable cats)
(web) (phone) 614-777-7387
Citizens For Humane Action (web) (phone) 614-891-5280
Colony Cats & Dogs (web) (phone) 614-593-0055
Cozy Cat Cottage (web) (phone) 614-336-8510
Forgotten 4 Paws (web) (phone) 740-687-9244
Pet Promise (web) (e-mail) info@petpromise.org
You can also reference the below web sites for info on shelters throughout the
state & country:
You might also want to try your vet or local kennel to see if they know of any
families looking for a new pet...or to see if they would be willing to try and help
place your pet.
If you think the cat might have belonged to someone at one point, then be sure
to visit www.petfbi.org and check out their Lost notices. There may
be a family looking for the cat you found. If you don't find a lost notice, then place a Found notice on the site.