Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are you located?
A: Our HQ is in New Jersey, but we operate out of private foster homes in several states along the US East Coast.
Q: How do I join your wait list?
A: Submit an application here to begin the approval process! Once approved an application is valid for 6 months.
Q: Is a cat you posted on social media available?
A: If the cat is found on the available cats page on our website then yes! If the cat is not on that page, then the cat is not currently available.
Q: Why is a cat I saw posted on social media not available?
A: There are many answers to this question- it all depends on the specific cat. Our policies dictate that cats must be in foster care for at least one week before we post them on our website. We take this time to assess their personality and any medical needs. After a week they are offered to our wait list. If they are not claimed by a waitlist applicant, then they are posted to our website. If the cat needs extra time to be socialized or decompress and adjust to foster care, then we wait to post the cat until they are ready.
Q: Why is a kitten I saw posted on social media not available?
A: Kittens can not be adopted until at least 12 weeks of age. At this age they are able to receive vaccinations and can be spayed/neutered. We open applications for kittens once they are at least 10 weeks old, again offering them to our wait list first. Please understand that while we appreciate everyone wanting to open their homes to one of our kittens, we need these first 10 weeks to focus on the health and well being of the kitten and will not entertain any questions regarding adoption. A lot can happen in those 10-12 weeks, specifically an adopter can change their mind. If we list the kitten as available again, people start to question what is wrong with the kitten to make the adopter change their mind, and then this amazing ball of fluff becomes less desirable due to no fault of their own.
Q: You are fostering a pregnant cat, can I reserve one of the kittens?
A: Unfortunately, no. We rarely know how many kittens a cat will have. On top of that, we definitely do not know the health of the kittens, especially since the mother cat’s history is often unknown. Once kittens are born, our primary focus is to ensure their health and well being. The sad truth is that not every kitten makes it. Due to all the uncertainty we ask potential adopters to respect our policies and wait until we post the kittens on our website before applying, typically when they are 10 weeks old.
Q: Why is there an adoption application processing fee?
A: We receive hundreds of adoption applications every year. Many of these applications are withdrawn by the applicant once we already begin the reference check process. ECMCR is 100% volunteer run, which means we spend countless hours processing applications that folks back out on. When we spend time processing these types of applications, that takes away the time we are able to spend checking references for serious applicants. Our processing time increases and so does your frustration with how long it is taking. The processing fee is to ensure only those who are truly ready to add a rescue cat to their family apply. These fees directly support ECMCR rescue cats.
Q: Why is there a foster home application processing fee?
A: We aim to ensure only those folks who are truly ready now to open their homes to a cat in need apply. Again, we approve many foster homes who just are not ready to take a cat, but they fail to let us know this. Since they are approved to foster, we tell a shelter we have room to take a cat. They reserve the cat for us, which prevents other rescues from taking the cat, so they take other cats in need. Then the foster home says they aren’t ready for the cat we have set aside from them, but now it’s too late for the cat to be saved by another rescue, and it may euthanized. Lives are lost when foster homes aren’t committed.
Q: Can I foster-to-adopt?
A: Yes! Our mission is to save as many cats as possible. Due to how long it takes to onboard and train a new volunteer, we do require volunteers that are specifically looking to foster-to-adopt only to also apply to be a case manager. Prior to receiving your first foster cat, foster-to-adopt volunteers will need to successfully process 5 adoption applications. Note that we understand not every cat is a good fit for your home and family, and if you decide not to adopt a particular cat, the normal adoption process will proceed.
Q: Do you adopt out of state?
A: Yes! We adopt to loving homes all along the East Coast of the United States. If you live in a different state in which the cat is located, we may be able to assist with transportation.
Q: How much does this cat cost?
A: Our pricing scheme can be found here at the bottom of the page.
Q: When are you getting more cats?
A: The short answer is soon! Rescue is always in flux and we always need more dedicated foster homes to rescue more cats. To submit a foster application apply here!
Q: What is a courtesy post (CP) cat?
A: Courtesy posts are when we list a cat that is available for adoption through a different organization or through an individual. The cat is not in the care of ECMCR and you must work with the cat’s caretaker to adopt the cat. We use our larger reach and social media presence to help courtesy posts find loving homes.
Q: How can I help support ECMCR?
A: Great question! We always accept donations, whether physical or monetary. Monetary donations can be submitted through our website and we accept physical items via Amazon wish lists. Please be sure to shop Amazon Smile and select East Coast Maine Coon Rescue as your charity of choice and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to us at no extra cost to you! We are also always looking for volunteers! Case Managers are needed to process applications and Foster Homes are needed to help save more cats. Apply today!
