Adopt-a-Stray program has helped more than 6,000 cats and kittens
Since its launch in 2022, the Cat Protection Society of NSW program Adopt-a-Stray has helped more than 6,000 cats and kittens
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so when we saw a poster promoting “ADOPT-A-STRAY” we might have considered it a compliment … except using the exact words of a program created and run by the Cat Protection Society of NSW since 2022 is likely to mislead and create confusion.
The poster in question is headlined ADOPT-A-STRAY and features the RSPCA NSW logo and logo colours; the bottom left corner includes the logos of the City of Parramatta and NSW Government. We’re advised by Parramatta Council that the program is no longer running but we’ve seen it recently shared on social media. To set the record straight, here are some key differences between what was promoted in the poster as “ADOPT-A-STRAY” and what we offer in Cat Protection’s Adopt-a-Stray program.
Poster RSPCA NSW ADOPT-A-STRAY:
- Free cat desexing and microchipping for residents of selected suburbs in the City of Parramatta
- Supported by the City of Parramatta and the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust (In October 2025, the NSW Government announced that RSPCA NSW were awarded a $6m grant from the NSW Environmental Trust, to continue work Keeping Cats Safe at Home, which was funded with a $2.5m grant from the Trust in 2021)
- Does not include a date but City of Parramatta advises the program has finished.
Cat Protection Society Adopt-a-Stray program:
- Available in greater Sydney, as well as LGAs of Bathurst and Narrabri
- Includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and registration
- Funded by $100 payment from adopter with all other costs met by Cat Protection donors, not government funded
- Supported by a network of veterinary clinics who generously discount their services to Cat Protection
- Launched in 2022 and has since helped more than 6,000 cats and kittens.
Vaccination is vital for feline individual and population health which is why our programs include F3 vaccination. In recent weeks veterinarians have noticed an increase in cases of Feline Panleukopaenia Virus (FPV) in Western Sydney. FPV is almost always fatal. We urge all cat owners to vaccinate their cats.
Background
Adopt-a-Stray, Cat Protection Society of NSW 2024-25 Annual Report
Under our Adopt-a-Stray program, there’s no need for a cat to come into the shelter; we work via phone and email with clients who’ve found a homeless kitty they’d like to adopt. We make the arrangements for the adoption, including desexing, vaccination and microchipping with one of our participating vet clinics, and we complete the lifetime registration. All this costs the client only $100, and with no need for kitty to set paws inside the shelter, it minimises stress for the cat.
Adopt-a-Stray offers an affordable option for people who wish to give a cat a home thanks to the generosity of our supporters and our veterinary partners who discount their fees for us. It also means reduced pressure on pounds and shelters, fewer homeless cats and much improved feline welfare.
As for those who adopt from our shelter, we provide an adoption pack with the cat’s paperwork plus cat care information, and we offer free follow-up phone support. The program has been hugely successful, growing from more than 1,200 last year to this year’ s more than 2,300 cats and kittens.
In the reporting period, 2,325 cats and kittens found loving and responsible homes via Cat Protection’s Adopt-a-Stray program.
Vaccination
Vaccination is critical to feline health and welfare. We included vaccination with our DIVA Cats program (that’s what the V stood for!) and we include vaccination with Adopt-a-Stray, and of course all our shelter cats and kittens are vaccinated.
Our 2017-18 Annual Report detailed Cat Protection’s intense campaign to combat the resurgence of the deadly Feline Panleukopaenia Virus. We saw a statistically significant increase in vaccination rates, but we also warned there was no room for complacency.
Spring into vaccination this kitten season to avoid killer virus – The University of Sydney
Tragically for cats, kittens and those who love them, reports are now emerging of an increase in FPV cases in Western Sydney.
Warning to cat owners as virus numbers spike • The Western Weekender