Rehoming and Settling a Retired Cat

Discover the unparalleled joy of welcoming an older or retired breeding cat into your home!

These feline wonders bring with them a wealth of benefits that enrich your life in countless ways. Unlike kittens, older cats boast a mature demeanour offering instant companionship and a calm presence.

Adoption fees range from £300 to £700 depending upon the individual cat.

Our breeding cats have been health tested and we retire them young; so that they benefit from having a full life in a home with their new family.

Settling in an older cat

Our breeding cats benefit from a home routine and interaction with lots of attention from people and dogs. While they are used to our routine, smells and noises, the transition to a new home will take some time.

We suggest letting them get familiar with one room for the first week, with easy access to their food and litter tray. Ensure the litter tray is in a private area; cats don’t like to use the toilet if it’s exposed, for example in the hallway.

While some cats may almost instantly settle in, this is not the usual case.

In their first few days with you It is realistic to expect them to hide under sofas or beds. During this time they may not eat much. They will explore at night and familiarise themselves with their new home when it’s quiet.

It could take a few weeks for it to click within them that they are safe and this is their new environment. Try playing with them, using the feather wand, ping a few balls or springs their way. This will make them feel more relaxed and comfortable.

However, resist the temptation to try and push things along by picking up a cat that isn’t sure of its environment. You’ll only undo the good work done so far.

Cats who feel stressed and that does not have time to adjust and relax to their new territory ‘your home’, will mark their territory ‘your home’. They will tend too pee on ‘prominent smell locations’ for example a bed, shoes or where you sit or entrance thresholds.

We suggest to take the time, to ensure your new cat is fully relaxed in one room, before giving them full access to their new territory. Full access to their new home/territory could be too much space and they would then become overwhelmed, stressed and feel they can not control and manage the new space. Their natural reaction would be to mark ‘pee’ the new environment, this is their only way to communicate ‘show’ that they have accessed the space, and to ward off any new comers… cats/ dogs/children etc...

Feeding and Litter

Information about your what your cat is used to eating while with us and what litter trays and cat litter they are used to can be found here.

Our Retiree Programme

At Belle Ayr we practice ethical breeding.

We aim not to breed from queens that are over four years old and mothers are retired around that age.

Our cats’ nurturing instincts shine through, making them exceptional caretakers and loving friends. By choosing a retired breeding cat you're providing a deserving cat with a well-earned retirement, offering them the chance to bask in your affection without the demands of breeding. Plus, you'll be supporting ethical breeding practices while enjoying the rewarding experience of providing a forever home to a magnificent cat that's ready to fill your days with warmth and contentment.

Please be aware that retired and rehomed cats do not come with a pedigree and are sterilized.

Adolescent & Older Cats

Sometimes we keep back kittens that we intend to breed from but, for various reasons, don’t use. These are top line cats and, when sold as adolescents, provide exceptional value.

We recommend reading the Royal Canin Guide to introducing pets.