Cats Protection Wellingborough & Rushden Branch is part of Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of cats through rescue, rehoming, neutering and education.
The Wellingborough & Rushden Branch is run entirely by a small team of passionate local volunteers who are committed to improving the lives of cats across the community. The branch helps rescue and rehome cats and kittens, reunite lost cats with their owners, provide financial assistance for neutering where possible, and promote responsible cat ownership through education and support.
The branch covers Wellingborough, Rushden and the surrounding towns and villages, including the NN6, NN8, NN9, NN10, NN14 and NN29 postcode areas.
What the branch does
- Rehoming cats and kittens into loving forever homes
- Helping reunite lost and found cats with their owners
- Providing neutering vouchers for eligible households
- Offering advice on responsible cat ownership
- Promoting cat welfare throughout the local community
Adopt a cat
The team is passionate about matching every cat with the right home. Rather than simply finding any home, they take time to understand both the cat’s personality and your lifestyle, helping give both owner and cat the happiest possible start together.
When first getting in touch about adoption, please provide your name, full address including postcode, telephone number and email address where possible. These details are required before the adoption process can begin.
Before adoption, one of the branch’s volunteers will arrange a short, informal home visit. This helps the team understand your home environment and make sure the cat you adopt will be well suited to your family and lifestyle.
If you live in rented accommodation, written permission from your landlord will be required before adoption. The branch is also unable to reserve cats or kittens for more than a few days, so if you have a holiday or weekend away planned within the next three to four weeks, it is best to contact the branch once you have returned.
Why adopt from Cats Protection?
Choosing to adopt from Cats Protection means giving a cat a second chance while supporting one of the UK’s most respected animal charities.
Before being rehomed, every cat receives the care they need to give them the best possible start. This includes a full veterinary health check, vaccinations, microchipping, flea and worm treatment, and neutering where appropriate. For kittens that are too young to be neutered, a neutering voucher may be provided.
Every adopted cat also comes with four weeks’ free pet insurance, giving new owners extra peace of mind.
Adoption does not end when you take your cat home. Cats Protection continues to provide advice and support, helping owners settle their new pet into family life and offering guidance whenever it is needed.
Adoption fees
The adoption fee helps cover the cost of preparing each cat for their new home, including neutering, first and second vaccinations, microchipping and a full veterinary health check.
- Adult cat: £95
- Kitten: £115
The cost of caring for each cat is significantly higher than the adoption fee received. Additional donations are always greatly appreciated and go directly towards helping more cats in need.
Neutering voucher scheme
The Wellingborough & Rushden Branch is offering neutering vouchers to eligible cat owners from 1 August 2026 until 31 October 2026. The scheme is designed to help prevent unwanted litters and improve the long-term health and welfare of local cats.
To apply, email enquiries@wellingborough.cats.org.uk with your name, full address including postcode, telephone number, email address, and proof of benefits or low household income dated within the last three months.
You will also need to provide details about your cat, including their name, age, gender, colour and the veterinary practice you would like to use.
Who may qualify?
Applicants may qualify if they receive certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit, income-based ESA, income-based JSA, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.
Households with a combined annual income of less than £25,000 before tax may also be eligible. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact the branch, as every application is considered individually.
Volunteer with Cats Protection
The Wellingborough & Rushden Branch is run entirely by volunteers and welcomes cat lovers who would like to help. Whether you have a few hours to spare each month or can offer more regular support, every volunteer makes a difference to local cats.
Volunteer roles may include fostering, fundraising, homing and adoption support, lost and found support, administration, social media and general volunteering. Full training and ongoing support are provided.
Good to know
- Area covered: Wellingborough, Rushden and surrounding towns and villages
- Postcode areas: NN6, NN8, NN9, NN10, NN14 and NN29
- Services: Cat adoption, lost and found support, neutering vouchers, cat welfare advice and volunteering opportunities
- Adoption fees: Adult cats £95, kittens £115
- Neutering voucher applications: Open from 1 August 2026 until 31 October 2026
Whether you are looking to adopt a cat, enquire about neutering support, report a lost or found cat, volunteer, donate or simply find out more about the charity’s work, the volunteer team would be pleased to hear from you.
