Adopting from a shelter or rescue in Egypt

Egypt has shelters, charities and independent rescuers who take in cats and dogs from the street, treat them and look for homes. Adopting from them gets you a pet whose health and character are known, and frees a place for the next rescue.

Where to find a pet to adopt

• Shelters and charities, such as ESMA and others around Cairo and Giza. Most post the animals available on their pages.
• Independent rescuers, who rescue at their own cost and post on Facebook and Instagram.
• Adoption listings on BesBes: search for "adoption" and pick your area and the kind of pet.
• Your vet: clinics often know animals that need a home.

How it usually works

1. Pick one or two animals you like and read everything about them.
2. Fill in the adoption form. Expect questions about your home, work, experience and who lives with you. Be honest: they want the animal to stay for good.
3. Meet the animal, more than once if you can, with the people you live with.
4. Some rescues do a home check or a video call, looking especially at windows and balconies for cats.
5. There may be an adoption fee that covers part of the vaccines and neutering. Ask how much and what it covers.
6. You sign an adoption agreement, and most rescues follow up afterwards.

What to ask before you say yes

• How old is it, roughly, and how long has it been with them?
• Which vaccines has it had, and is it neutered? Is there a vaccination card?
• Any health problems or medicines?
• How is it with children, cats and dogs?
• What does it eat now?
• If it doesn't work out, can you bring it back?

Warning signs

• "Adoption" with a fee so high it's really a sale.
• Pressure to pay before you meet the animal, or to decide quickly.
• A kitten or puppy younger than 8 weeks.

After your pet comes home

• Give it time. A popular rule of thumb: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn the routine, 3 months to feel at home.
• Book a vet check in the first week. See how to choose a vet.
• Read your kitten's first week or your puppy's first week.
• Dogs need a licence: see how to license your dog.
• Send the rescue photos and news. It means a lot to them.