How Much Does It Cost To Adopt a Cat?

Adoption can be an economical option for adding a new cat to your family. Shelters and rescues typically help ensure your future cat is healthy, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated before you bring them home, with adoption fees ranging from $30 – $125. But the exact cost depends on a few factors.¹

Let’s explore the details of cat adoption costs and other expenses you may encounter when adopting. 

The Cost of Adopting a Cat

Adopting a cat is a great way to help free up space at shelters and rescues so more cats can find their forever homes. In general, the cost to adopt a cat might be around $30 – $125, but it can vary and could be much more.¹

While the cost of adoption may not seem high, it’s a large financial commitment over their lifetime. Consider your lifestyle, whether or not you have small children around regularly, the breed of cat you prefer, the cat’s behavior and medical needs, and your budget for their health care before you adopt.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Cat Adoption?

Many different factors can affect cat adoption fees. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Your location and the place of adoption

Where you live and where you adopt from both impact the cost of adopting a cat.² Search for a humane society, county animal shelter, adoption clinic, or rescue organization in your area. Take your time to research their fees and find the best fit for your budget.

Shelters and rescues across the U.S. are full of cats that need homes. MetLife Pet works with various shelters throughout the country — some of which may offer new pet owners the opportunity to sign up for a MetLife Pet policy when you adopt. If you do enroll through one of those shelters or rescues, you may also be able to waive the 14-day illness waiting period for your policy.

Adoption programs and specials

Shelters and rescues may run adoption specials that discount or waive fees for all or some of their cats, or even certain potential adopters.² Feel free to ask them if this is something available to you.

The cat’s medical needs and age

Cats who have special needs or require more medical care to get them ready for adoption might have higher adoption fees.³ Ask questions about medical records, examinations, and procedures your potential pet has received before you sign any adoption papers.

You may also find that kittens are more expensive to adopt than adults or seniors because of the extra vet care needed in their first weeks, or due to high demand.^2,3

Standard vet care included before adoption

The kind of standard vet care cats receive before you adopt them varies depending on where you adopt from. Some adoption fees include spay or neuter procedures, vaccinations, microchips, and other vet expenses — making it less expensive upfront to adopt.¹ It's important to know what veterinary care you may still need to pay for, on top of the adoption fee, after you bring your cat home.

Adoption demand

If there aren’t enough pets being adopted and shelters are overloaded, the cost to adopt a cat may decrease in an effort to raise adoption rates.¹

You might also find that certain less common or high-demand cat breeds have higher adoption fees. This typically helps offset the cost of care for other pets with medical needs or those who may have a harder time getting adopted.³

Other Ways To Adopt a Cat

Adopting a rehomed cat is another great way to find your furry companion. Rehoming simply means you agree to take in someone else's cat — whether for free or by paying an agreed-upon cost. Talk to your co-workers, friends, family, or even look to social media groups.

You might also have a stray cat or two living in your neighborhood who have taken a liking to you. If it’s crossed your mind to take them in, you won’t have adoption fees, but you may pay a fair amount in vet bills to make sure they’re healthy, vaccinated, and fixed. Check for microchips on stray cats or flyers and online messages to see if their owner can be located before taking them in as your own.

There’s also the option of getting a new cat through a breeder. This cost is often much higher — reaching $1,000 or more — than adopting through a shelter or rescue.¹

Additional Costs of Bringing a Cat Home

Financial preparation is necessary for adding a cat to your family, whether you took in a stray, visited a local shelter, or adopted a rehomed cat. Upfront costs in the first year of owning a cat might be anywhere from $765 – $2,715 based on items you may already have, adoption fees, the cat’s size and age, as well as special medical needs.¹

Some of these upfront expenses, in addition to cat adoption fees, could include:¹

• Initial vet care post-adoption
• Water and food bowls, plus food and treats
• Litter box and litter
• Toys, bed, and grooming tools
• Cat carrier and kitty gear (like a collar and tags)
• Pet rent or deposits

Consider your current budget, what you can skip purchasing for now, and what you can find cheaper options for while ensuring you meet your new cat’s needs.

Yearly cat costs

Cat costs are a little different once they’re adopted and part of your family, and they can range from $760 – $3,495 per year. These yearly costs typically shift toward spending more on annual veterinary care and things like parasite prevention, routine vaccinations, food and litter, dental care, and even cat insurance.¹

Get MetLife Pet Cat and Kitten Insurance To Help With Vet Costs

Bringing home a new feline friend is a wonderful feeling. But with expected yearly cat costs potentially reaching the thousands, unexpected vet bills could hurt your budget if you don’t have a financial plan in place.

Make MetLife Pet part of your plan, with cat and kitten insurance that can reimburse you up to 90% of covered costs.⁴ And with our optional Preventive Care plan, you can also get money back on wellness and routine expenses — like spay and neuter procedures, annual checkups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.

Get a free, personalized quote to start the enrollment process for your new cat today, regardless of their age or breed.⁵