# Adopt a Cat — symbolic adoption and sponsorship with WARN

> You can adopt a cat symbolically with WARN from £5 a month (about 16p a day) or with a one-off gift. Your donation supports WARN’s dog and cat meat-trade appeal, and you receive a personalised digital certificate that can name a gift recipient. It is symbolic: no individual animal is assigned to you.

**Updated:** 2026-11-11
**Adopt here:** https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/adopt/cat/

Adopting and sponsoring a cat with WARN are the same symbolic gift.

## Key facts

| | |
| --- | --- |
| **Cost** | From £5 a month, or a one-off gift from £20. You can choose another amount. |
| **Currencies** | Pounds (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR), from any country. |
| **What you receive** | A personalised digital certificate (PDF) by email, in your name or a gift recipient’s. |
| **What it supports** | WARN’s dog and cat meat-trade appeal. No individual animal is assigned to you. [Read the appeal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/dog-cat-meat/) |
| **Tax relief** | None. WARN is a UK Community Interest Company: no Gift Aid, and not a US 501(c)(3). |
| **Cancelling** | Future monthly payments can be stopped at any time. [Manage a monthly gift](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/manage/) |
| **Who runs it** | World Animal Rescue Network CIC, company no. 17298990, England and Wales. [Registration status](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/about/registration-status/) |

## Why cats need help

In parts of Asia, cats as well as dogs are taken for the meat trade. A cat recovered after a trade interception may need veterinary assessment, safe temporary care and enquiries about an owner before anything else can happen.

What happens next matters as much as the rescue. International Cat Care describes a range of outcomes for unowned cats — return, reunion, rehoming or longer-term care — with each cat’s welfare and local circumstances deciding which is right.

## What the appeal is raising funds for

- **Veterinary assessment:** Care decisions based on each animal’s condition, history and local authority.
- **Safe recovery:** Suitable accommodation and resources while animals recover.
- **The right outcome:** A plan for what happens after treatment, with records of the decisions made.

Appeal purpose, recipient status and terms: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/dog-cat-meat/

## Questions and answers

### What does symbolic cat adoption mean?

It is a donation with a cat-themed acknowledgement. You do not own, receive or sponsor the exclusive care of a named live animal. The selected purpose is the dog and cat meat-trade appeal, which covers both species. A cat-themed acknowledgement does not create a separate cat-only fund or a community-cat neutering programme.

### What will I receive?

A personalised digital certificate (PDF) emailed to the address you use at checkout after a successful payment, plus a payment confirmation. The certificate shows your name — or your gift recipient’s — and the date. There is no physical pack or scheduled update about an individual animal.

### Is sponsoring a cat the same as adopting one?

With WARN, yes. “Sponsor a cat” and “adopt a cat” describe the same symbolic gift: a one-off or monthly donation towards WARN’s dog and cat meat-trade appeal, acknowledged with a personalised certificate. Neither assigns you a named animal, and neither comes with photo updates or visits. If you want to sponsor an identifiable animal, ask a sanctuary that runs named sponsorships how its scheme works.

### Can I adopt a cat from the UK, the US or another country?

Yes. Anyone can give online, and you can pay in pounds, US dollars or euros; the certificate is emailed, so nothing needs posting. WARN is a UK Community Interest Company rather than a registered charity, so UK donors cannot add Gift Aid and US donors cannot claim a charitable tax deduction, because WARN is not a 501(c)(3). Donors elsewhere should check their own local rules.

### Can I give a cat adoption as a gift?

Yes. Switch on “Send as a gift to someone” and enter the recipient’s name; it is printed on the certificate emailed to you, so you can forward or print it. Nothing is posted, so there is no postal deadline. See https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/gifts/ for gift ideas by occasion.

### How much does it cost to adopt a cat symbolically?

Suggested contributions start at £5 a month — about 16p a day — or you can choose a one-off gift or another amount and currency (GBP, USD or EUR) on the donation page. These are donation choices, not verified prices for care, supplies or a rescue.

### Where is my adoption gift intended to go?

The selected purpose is the dog and cat meat-trade appeal, which covers both species. A cat-themed acknowledgement does not create a separate cat-only fund or a community-cat neutering programme. WARN will assess proposed recipients, activities, permissions, costs and reporting before an award. Published grant records distinguish recipient decisions, payments and reported results.

### Does the pictured animal receive my gift?

The image illustrates the subject. It does not assign an animal to you or establish a WARN-funded rescue. A documented case would need its own source, date and funding record before it could be presented as an outcome of WARN support.

### When will the certificate arrive?

It is generated after a successful payment and sent by email. Processing and email delivery can vary, so there is no fixed delivery-time promise. If you need it for a particular date, give a little early, and contact info@worldanimalrescuenetwork.org if it does not arrive.

### Can I restrict my gift to a narrower purpose?

The gift supports the appeal described on this page. If a narrower restriction is essential to you, contact WARN before donating so it can be considered; please do not assume it can be applied after payment.

### Can I choose one-off or monthly giving?

Yes. Select the frequency before continuing and confirm it again on the donation page. A one-off gift does not create a monthly commitment; recurring gifts continue until cancelled.

### Can I cancel regular payments?

Yes. Use https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/manage/ to manage future monthly gifts, or email info@worldanimalrescuenetwork.org for help. Cancelling future payments does not automatically refund completed gifts.

### Is my gift eligible for Gift Aid?

No. WARN is not eligible to claim Gift Aid. World Animal Rescue Network is a registered global not-for-profit animal welfare organisation, not a registered charity. International donors should check their own local rules.

### Are recipients already selected and paid?

Check the appeal update and public grant register for published evidence. This page does not establish a completed award or payment. Records not yet published means the status is unknown and should not be interpreted as zero or completed work.

### Can I help without donating?

Yes. Share the relevant appeal with its source dates and recipient status, or help people find reliable animal welfare information. Every share is welcome without a financial commitment.

## Sources

- [International Cat Care — Cat Friendly Homing](https://icatcare.org/resources/cat_friendly_homing_information_pack.pdf)

Species guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/
Human-readable page: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/adopt/cat/