Adoption Fees

How much does it cost for a kitten?
There is an adoption fee for each kitten that is determined by a number of factors, including
-- Age of cat or kitten
-- Breed of cat or kitten
-- Special needs of cat or kitten
-- Services performed on kitten or cat (spay/neuter, microchipping, declawing etc.)

• What is the price range?
Keeping in mind the factors above, and others, prices range from a low of about $30 to a high of about $200. Most young kittens (9-18 weeks) are about $85. Subadults and Adults start at about $100 and are spayed or neutered. Those subadults and adults that are also microchipped and with rabies vaccination begin at $150. Those with special markings or coloration, etc., may be more. Black male kittens may be less.

• Why should I pay for a kitten from Mat Valley Kitties instead of getting a kitten free from somewhere?
We are happy to have any kitten who needs a home to find a good home. People who give away kittens rarely provide those kittens with shots, worming and rudimentary health screening. Most MVK kitties have one or more of their shots, are wormed, and have been seen by a vet if there is any health concern. MVK also provides a half-back money or exchange guarantee if the cat or kitten does not work out in the first 10 days. By adopting from MVK, you are not just giving one kitten a home, you are helping provide services to other cats and kittens as well.

• Aren't you just making money off from cute little kittens?
MVK isn't just a nonprofit; it is volunteer run. Susan and the foster home volunteers do what they do without compensation and very often without reimbursement for expenses.

• How can you charge $85 for a kitten you've had for two weeks that only got one or two shots and some worming?
While that may seem like a high price, the fee must cover not only the food, litter, vaccinations and any medical bills for that kitten, but help pay expenses for other cats who may be with MVK for months, may need to be spayed or neutered, or may run up higher vet bills. There are also many less-obvious expenses, like driving the kittens to adoption day, running advertisements and printing adoption forms.

Misc. Adoption issues
• Where you located?
We are a network of foster homes. While Susan has several cats in her garage in Wasilla that has been converted to temporarily house cats and kittens, the rest of the kittens and cats live at foster homes in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage Bowl. That's why it is important to make an appointment with the foster home if you are interested in a certain kitten, or check to make sure that kitten or cat is expected to be at a given adoption day.

• Are there any other restrictions to adopting?
Yes, renters must have approval from their landlord. MVK also reserves the right refuse to adopt to anyone for any reason. Our first priority is the health and well-being of the cats and kittens. This means we may choose not to adopt pets to homes in certain situations.

• Do the kittens and cats like dogs and other cats?
Some get along very well with other animals and some do not. By talking to the foster family, you can find out whether or not the MVK cat or kitten is going to fit in well with your household. Some foster homes integrate the MVK cats and kittens with their own pets; others keep them separate.

• I have very young children. Will a MVK young kitten be good for my family?
MVK does not allow young kittens to be adopted by families with very young children. The combination of very young children and kittens under 4 months of age is dangerous, especially to the kitten but also to the child. Those families with young children are encouraged to look at our very playful and sturdier older kittens and cats. We try to match kittens and cats to adoptive families.

• I'd like a very young kitten. How young do you adopt them out?
We keep kittens until they are at least 9 weeks old, and often hold them to 10 weeks or more. Again, our first priority is the kittens' health and well being. Younger kittens are more susceptible to ailments. Kittens that are under 10 weeks old generally do not retract their claws well, resulting in behavior such as climbing legs and curtains. These can be annoying to new pet owners and gets the new kitten and his or her family off to a bad start. Keeping kittens until 3 months of age can help give the kitten a good start in its new family.

• I like some of your adult cats but will they acclimate to my home and a new owner?
Experience has shown us the adult cats very often make a change of households very well and become loving companions in their new homes. MVK's adult cats are often spayed or neutered, and have their shots, making them very economical adoption prospects.

Medical issues
• Do you do feline leukemia screening on the cats?
MVK cannot afford to screen all of its kittens for feline leukemia virus. Kittens and cats who are ill and do not respond to conventional treatments are tested as necessary. We encourage those who adopt MVK kittens and cats to have their new pet tested and vaccinated against this disease.

• Do you provide rabies vaccinations?
We cannot give rabies vaccinations so most of our kittens and cats are not vaccinated against rabies. We encourage our adoptive families to have their kitten vaccinated against rabies when they have their kitten spayed or neutered at 4 to 6 months of age, or at an earlier appointment. Occasionally we will have had an older cat vaccinated against rabies when he or she is spayed or neutered. Cats we have obtained from Mat-Su Animal Control also have had their vaccines. Cats must have a rabies vaccination to be licensed.

• Do you allow declawing of MVK cats and kittens?
We strongly discourage declawing as a cruel and unnecessary procedure on most cats. Visit the following website to see why there are better options: www.declawing.com. We understand some people will elect to have their kitten or cat undergo this procedure despite the pain and vulnerability it causes. While we cannot prevent this, we do ask you to consider other options including squirt-gun or noise-maker discipline methods or nail capping.

• Does MVK help pay for spaying and neutering of kittens you've adopted?
We do not have funds to pay for spaying and neutering but there are agencies that will help. Visit the Adoption Policies page for forms from Anchorage and Mat Su agencies that often offer assistance. Not only does spaying and neutering reduce unwanted kittens, it also improves the quality of life and the lifespan of your pet.

Surrendering a kitten or pregnant cat to MVK
• I have kittens I need to get rid of. Will MVK come pick them up?
MVK helps people who have made every effort to take care of cats and kittens for which they are responsible. We are not an alternative to having your cat spayed. We expect pet owners to be responsible for their own cats and kittens. However, we also recognize there are extenuating circumstances that require special help. We will help pets in need when we are able, but there are times we have no available space. Other options include other rescue agencies and your local shelter. See the Rescue Links page for more information.

• I want to keep my mother cat but need to get rid of the kittens. Will you take them?
We encourage keeping kittens with their mothers until they are at least 8 weeks old; 10 weeks is preferred. If you cannot find homes your kittens by they are 9 to 12 weeks old, we may be able to take them but you must agree to have your mother cat spayed. Without spaying, you will have the same problem again in a few months.

• Will you take an adult cat?
Unfortunately we do not have space to take adult cats except for pregnant or nursing females. Visit the Rescue Links page for other options. You may also try posting a notice at local vet offices, etc. We do, however, make every effort to rehome Mat Valley Kitties for families in crisis situation. You must have proof the feline was adopted from MVK.

• Do you charge to take in my pregnant cat or kittens?
No, there is no charge but donations of money, cat food, litter or other supplies are always appreciated.

Supporting MVK
• Can I help Mat Valley Kitties?
There are many ways you can help support MVKs. Please visit the Volunteers page for information or contact Susan at 841-7711. You can also support Mat Valley Kitties with a monetary donation. See the link on our home page.