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Top 10 Rescues to Adopt a Cat from in Manchester
Life is good, but animal lovers would agree that it’s waaaaaay better with a beloved pet in the house!
We’re quite mad fer it, really—cute cats going around the office while we type away or sit busy with meetings could really help take the stress levels down. Too bad, our office building’s policy won’t allow it, even if we promise to hire exceptional office cleaning!
Since we can’t do it ourselves, we’ll just help those with like minds and hearts (you)! We rounded up the top ones to go to if you want to adopt a cat in Manchester—they’re proper dedicated to the welfare of our feline lovelies.
Destitute Animals Shelter
Media from Bolton Destitute Animals Shelter
Address: Northolt Drive, Bolton
Contact details: 01204 526486
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Sundays & Bank Holidays – CLOSED
Perhaps one of the oldest trusts (yes, better than a charity!) in Manchester for the welfare of animals, the Destitute Animals Shelter (DAS) has been around since 1924.
It originated from a kind lady’s love of animals and still stands today, more than a hundred years later! It re-homes about 450 animals a year.
This Bolton gem helps both cats and dogs, but adopting a cat will cost you cheaper. The best thing about the DAS’ practice is that it doesn’t take down the animals, but just spays or neuters them instead, in order to help in controlling the stray population.
| Pro tip: If you aren’t keen to adopt but are still interested in helping the cause, you can drop by the Destitute Animals Shelter Charity Shop along Chorley Old Road or register online to be a “Friend of the Shelter”. |
Millstream Animal Shelter
Media from Millstream Animal Shelter
Address: Millstream Lane, Clayton Bridge
Contact details: 0161 683 4194
Operating hours: Daily – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Millstream Animal Shelter, which started as Molly Bird’s Animal Rescue, has been caring for cats and ferrets since 1990.
It cares for these animals until they find their new home in a big compound that has many temperature-controlled outdoor cat pens. The charity staff give these fur babies enough food, toys, and playtime.
In the sad, but real case that a rescue doesn’t get adopted in its initial one-year stay, we’re glad to report that Millstream will still take care of them, until their crossing of the rainbow bridge, as one of its “resident cats”.
| Pro tip: You can help the Millstream Animal Shelter by donating cash or in-kind items. It has multiple drop-off points at chain groceries around Manchester. |
Oldham Cats Rescue
Media from Samantha Fahmy
Address: Toynton Villa Cattery, Saxon St, Middleton
Contact details: 0161 653 6530
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Tuesday – CLOSED
The Oldham Cats Rescue in Middleton has been around since 1998. However, the road to establishing this animal rescue and cattery wasn’t easy—it rose because of the closure of another well-established rescue in the area.
Yet, thanks to kind hearts (and landlords), Oldham Cats is well and active today and rescues about 850 cats annually. All are taken care of, neutered, and free from parasites.
The best way to find your new cat or kitty is to visit its cattery, but you can also browse its official Facebook group for the latest angels up for adoption. Kittens are a rare find, and it’s highly encouraged that you choose even those already in their ‘adult’ stage.
| Pro tip: Oldham Cats Rescue regularly holds cat fairs, especially in the summer months. Follow its socials to be updated with the latest schedules. |
Stopford Cat Rescue
Media from Stopford Cat Rescue
Address: 10 Long Lane, Pott Shrigley, Cheshire (postal address ONLY, no office)
Contact details: 07900 415674, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
For those in the southern areas of Manchester who want to become a rescue cat’s forever home, there’s the Stopford Cat Rescue to reach out to.
It doesn’t have a physical cattery yet, but its network of volunteers has been working earnestly since 2018 for the welfare of these feline companions with the help of donations and their own time, effort, and homes.
Stopford believes stray cats deserve to live life peacefully. Aside from re-homing, it also encourages the ‘TNR’ method (trap, neuter, and release) in order to humanely control the feral cat population and prevent any unwanted suffering of these animals.
| Pro tip: Doing charity without expecting anything in return is the noblest cause. However, if you really want a win-win situation, support the Stopford Cat Rescue via its weekly lottery, and you might win £25,000! |
Blue Cross Greater Manchester Rehoming, Advice and Behaviour Unit
Media from Blue Cross UK
Address: 48 Blackburn Street, Radcliffe
Contact details: 0300 777 1852, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Daily – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Wednesday – telephone answers only, no public visits
The well-established Blue Cross (for those unaware: the UK’s premier animal welfare organisation, operating since the late 1800s) has a Manchester branch. It helps stray or abandoned pets find their new home.
This branch does almost all the typical services of an animal rescue organisation, except for taking care of its rescues on its premises. Instead, it allows foster families to take care of the furry angels for a while until they get adopted.
Given its reputation and ‘pedigree’ (pun sort of intended), the Blue Cross’s extensive network can also help owners who, unfortunately, have to give up their pets. Through their ‘Home Direct’ service, they help these pets find possible new homes.
| Pro tip: Check the Blue Cross website regularly for new pet adoptee listings. It doesn’t only cater to cats, but to other animals, too—mice and horses included! |
Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich
Media from @independentcatrescueprestwich
Address: North Manchester area
Contact details: 07747843734, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Although still quite a young operation, Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich (ICRP) has already proved itself to be a reliable cat rescue and re-homing charity. Since 2019, it has found about 300 cats their new homes.
ICRP screens prospective adopters with a set of criteria tailored to the specific cat they’re eyeing. For example, ICRP will note if a cat needs regular outside activity or if it can’t live with a dog, to get the best family match possible.
ICRP is also strict with not pushing through with adoptions if the applicant’s home is near a busy road; it also won’t allow splitting of bonded cats. Rules such as these help in properly setting expectations for the adopter.
| Pro tip: Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich posts about fundraising and cat adoption updates more frequently on its official Facebook group than its website. |
Pennine Pen Animal Rescue CIO
Media from Pennine Pen Animal Rescue
Address: Honeywell Lane, Oldham
Contact details: 0161 621 0819, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily (by Appointment) – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Animal welfare advocate Michael Waugh started Pennine Pen Animal Rescue way back in 2001. From Hathershaw and now in Oldham, this animal rescue has been helping dogs and cats recover from being abandoned by finding them new homes.
Adopting a cat from here will entail a home visit, where the Rescue will ensure that your home has enough outdoor space for the cat to roam. It wouldn’t pursue the adoption process if you live near a busy street or major transport terminals.
What we like the most about its adoption process is that the fee already includes two vaccinations, flea treatment, microchipping, and neutering—a bit on the expensive side of things, but completely needed for your new beloved pet.
| Pro tip: The Pennine Pen Animal Rescue is highly-skilled in fundraising. Make sure to read about all the efficient methods available for donating to its cause over at its official website. |
Avid’s Angels Cat Rescue
Media from Avid’s Angels Cat Rescue
Address: 14 Shawcroft View, Bolton
Contact details: 07833 740133, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Avid’s Angels Cat Rescue (AARC) might be outside Manchester (further northwest at cosy Bolton), but we think it’s an interesting entry to add to our list of cat welfare charities.
This recently established cat rescue has roots in helping cats, like the titular Avid (may he rest peacefully over the rainbow bridge), recover and find their forever homes.
AARC does comprehensive checks of the background, lifestyle, and location of its prospective adoptees.
Don’t fret—despite the strict (but fair) requirements, the adoption fee here is one of the best in value we’ve seen. The full amount you’ll pay already includes microchipping, two vaccinations, a month of flea treatment, three months of deworming, and pet insurance.
| Pro tip: If you can, why not foster? You’ll be the one to shoulder the cats’ food and lodging, but Avid’s Angels Cat Rescue will handle all matters relating to the vet (which could be miles costlier)—a fair setup, if you ask us. |
Changing Lives at Carrington
Media from Changing Lives at Carrington
Address: Nursery Farm, Isherwood Rd, Carrington
Contact details: 07507 404006, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Changing Lives at Carrington is another animal rescue newcomer, being incorporated just before the pandemic. Fortunately, it continues to thrive today, albeit the immense challenge it had to face then—it boasts a record 1,600 successful adoptions!
This rescue takes care of small animals: cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs are the most common ones. It also doesn’t separate bonded cats for their utmost welfare—a practice we truly respect.
Although the adoption process isn’t outlined on the rescue’s website, some adopters have noted the smooth process of adopting rescued animals from here.
| Pro tip: Want to donate AND ensure your donation goes to specific animal rescue needs? Changing Lives at Carrington’s donation process has this type of specificity (e.g., donate for neutering services, veterinary fees, or food ONLY). |
Society for Abandoned Animals
Media from Society for Abandoned Animals
Address: The Peggy Henderson Animal Sanctuary, Mosley Acre Farm, Stretford
Contact details: 0161 973 5318, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily (by Appointment) – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
An animal welfare institute in its own right, the Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA) has been caring for stray and abandoned dogs, cats, and rabbits since 1966. The SAA also prides itself on its mission of never putting down any healthy animal.
With a stellar reputation over the decades, they currently focus on caring for cats and bunnies. However, they still offer the farm as a paid space for dogs to roam free at select hours of the day.
If you’re keen on adopting a cat, you’ll just need to fill out and submit an application via the SAA website. After a while, a screening personnel will reach out to verify your details and eligibility for adoption.
| Pro tip: If you can’t adopt, then volunteer! The volunteer jobs at the Society for Abandoned Animals aren’t all animal-facing, so there’s a healthy variety of activities that can match different types of expertise! |
