The first step to adoption once you find the purrfect pet, is to phone (preferred) or email Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service for assessment regarding prospective ownership and pet suitability.

Adoption Application forms must be completed and a property inspection will be carried out on properties in the Port Macquarie area.

A 2 week trial period commences on the day of adoption.

All PMAWS cats come desexed, microchipped, vaccinated (up to date), wormed, flea treated and litter trained.

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Introducing a Kitten/Cat into a new home (especially where either a dog or cat already lives) can be a difficult challenge. It requires patience, perseverance and supervision.

Once your new kitten/cat arrives home, he or she should be made to feel safe in their own room - we call this the "sanctuary". No other cat or dog should be allowed into this room until they are fully comfortable with their new surroundings. The kitten/cat will need bedding, food, water, a view out of a window and somewhere to hide. A good idea in dog and cat families is also a 2 metre tall scratching post, where a kitten/cat can retreat if they need to.

Keep the kitten/cat in a room for the first few days, then, gradually, using a series of wooden chocks (or similar), open the door slightly to allow paws and noses to meet. It can then be opened further to allow the kitten/cat in and out, but not the older cat or dog in. We recommend that this should be continued for 14 days.

PMAWS urges all owners to keep their cats indoors for their own safety. There are people around who aren't fond of cats and can do unthinkable things to our defenceless little babies. Also they can be collected and used as live bait for dog training and fishing lures, and also kittens as live snake food. The only way to keep your kitty 100% safe, is to keep them indoors and we wholeheartedly encourage this practice.