Adoption Process
♡ How to Adopt:
Thank you for considering a Mittenstar Kitten!
To start the adoption process, please sign up for our email notification list using our contact form at the end of this page (or on our 'Contact Us' page.) This is how we keep in touch with you as kittens are born, grow, and become available for adoption.
I find it best to wait until the kittens are old enough for me to be able to see their growing personalities, and then I take adoption applications openly from anyone interested - this is usually around 8 weeks old.
This way, I can honestly tell people about the kittens they’re interested in, so you can choose not just based on looks (they’re all cute really lol!), but also on personality.
Because of this approach, I don’t keep a paid waitlist.
(Please see our Available Kittens page, where I try to clearly list our current kittens, their ages, and availability.)
Usually, people who are seriously interested and prompt have no problem filling out an application when it’s time and moving forward with a kitten. This way you aren't feeling 'forced' to go with 'whatever is left' at the end of a waitlist, and each kitten can find their 'perfect match'!
I always appreciate people reaching out to me to let me know that they're interested, and I’m always happy to talk with potential families (or returning families!) and can share extra info, pictures, and videos of any kittens you may be particularly interested in.
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Our adoption process, from birth to go-home week is outlined below!
♡ Step 1 - Kittens are born; updates go out
Once kittens are born and are stable and thriving, we announce them on social media and to our email list.
Joining our email list is how we stay in contact with people who are seriously interested, I always send out email announcements before opening up our adoption applications!
Please see the form at the end of this page if you would like to receive our kitten updates!
I will continue to send out email updates and post cute social media updates on the kittens as they hit major milestones over those first weeks to give people an idea of what each kitten is like! Our website will also be updated with their baby pictures, and descriptions, and the begin to wake up to the world and gain their colors and personalities.
From 0 - 4 weeks, they really are such small things, and it is too early to judge their characters and final colors.
♡ Step 2 - Kittens are evaluated and listed
Between weeks 5 - 8 I start to know really what kittens will be like in personality and color. It is during this time, I will begin to evaluate them and list them as available!
I might wait longer to watch a kitten, evaluating them for breed standard qualities if I am deciding to keep them for the next generation of our cattery program.
Generally though, I will begin updating our website, the email list, and our social media pages with what kittens will be available between 6 - 8 weeks old.
Our kitten page will include what dates kittens are born, and when they will reach 8 weeks old - so you can know to check on the website regularly. I will open up adoption applications only when kittens are actually available for adoption.
♡ Step 3 - Kittens are Matched with Adoptees
I no longer do ' first pick / second pick / third pick ' type reservation wait lists... as these just get too messy too fast. Our kittens are listed as available as they are evaluated and become available, and to some extent it is first come, first serve.
I will open up adoption applications only when kittens are actually available for adoption, this will be clearly listed on our website.
This is usually around 8 weeks old!
I try to match kittens to the right homes and right personalities, so when kittens are available and listed with an adoption application, we will then set up a time to talk either on the phone or through a video call.
I know most people picture a perfect 'moment' where you can come meet all the kittens and have ' the one ' single you out from the crowd, and they'll come right over to you and it will be all magic and rainbows - but this is rarely how it actually plays out! Kittens are playful, rambunctious, and how they act when first meeting them is not always how they actually are once you get to know them. I have to take into account all of the serious adoption requests we have, and I do my best to match the best fit for each kitten.
During our call, we will go over any questions you may have for me, and I’ll have some questions to go over with you too! We will go over what you were thinking of for a kitten to match your lifestyle, and if this kitten would be a good fit for you. I can also send over additional pictures and videos I may have of the kitten from the last few weeks, to help you make your decision!
♡ Step 4 - Reserving your Kitten
Once we talk and agree on the right kitten for you, the next step is reserving them with a security deposit.
This can be paid in person, or through Paypal or Venmo. You are welcome to come and meet your kitten once the deposit is paid!
Once your kitten is reserved, I will take your preferred contact information and begin sending you regular updates on your kitten(s)!
I try to send candid pictures / videos every few days, and I do at least one or two 'professional' photoshoot sets of the kittens around 6 weeks old and 11 weeks old just before they leave us. I totally understand this is a very special, often once in a lifetime type experience - so I do my best to send very regular updates on your baby as we go along.
There typically is a 4-6 week wait from when you reserve your kitten at 6 - 8 weeks old, to when they are ready to go home to you at 12 - 14 weeks old! Again, I will send lots and lots of updates to you during this period ~
♡ Step 5 - Kittens are vetted
Between 6 weeks old and 11 weeks old, kittens get two vaccines about 3 - 4 weeks apart, and are spayed / neutered once they are old enough (this is normally done when they are about 2.5 - 3 lbs at 10 or 11 weeks old).
I send out confirmation of vet records and health to you as we go through this process.
♡ Step 6 - Kitten gets to come home!
And finally, we reach our go-home week!! Kittens must be at least 12 weeks old before going home - we often have kittens leave between 12 and 16 weeks old depending on their spay or neuter recovery, and your schedule. They are still very much kittens even if they are leaving at 16 weeks / 4 months.
We will schedule a time and location to meet for you to pick up your kitten, and I will have go-home information I will send you prior to this, so you can begin preparing to bring baby home.
I will have lists with the types of food and litter you'll need for kitten, recommendations for their care and toys, and how to go through kitten proofing your home and kitten behavior articles I will send you via email to help you prepare for bringing them home.
Please see our kitten care list here on our website too!
At a minimum, you'll need to have a dedicated room (whether a bedroom, bathroom, or guest room) where you can fully kitten proof and keep the kitten whenever you cannot watch them directly. I do not recommend letting your kitten have full run of your home until they are old enough to be trusted not to eat things they shouldn't - this is usually 6 months or older.
You will also need to line up vet care to inspect your new kitten and line up their next vaccinations BEFORE you pick up your kitten, as many veterinarians are often booked out a week or more or have requirements for new patients.
Your kitten(s) will also come with 30 days of completely free, full coverage Trupanion pet insurance that I require you activate the day of pick-up.