The short answer
To rehome a domestic shorthair well: lead the listing with your cat's personality, be honest about how they are with people and other pets, screen for a home that suits them, and ask a modest fee rather than giving them away. New Zealand has no national cat law yet, but some councils require cats to be desexed or microchipped, so check yours. If your cat is on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, use its "rehome pet" option to send the registration to the new owner.
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List your cat free →Why domestic shorthairs need rehoming
Domestic shorthairs, or moggies, are the mixed-breed short-coated cats that make up most of the cats in rescue. They are rehomed for ordinary reasons: a move, a new baby, an allergy, a rental that will not take pets, or a change in budget. The cat is almost never the problem.
Because there are so many of them, and because black and older cats are often overlooked, a moggy can wait longer for a home than a pedigree. That is a reason to write a warm, honest listing and be patient, not a reflection on your cat.
The right home for a domestic shorthair
Most moggies are adaptable, so almost any loving home can suit. The things to match are your own cat's personality (shy or bold, cuddly or independent) and how they are with children, dogs and other cats.
Ask how the new owner plans to keep the cat: indoors, with outdoor access, or in an enclosure. Each household chooses, but an adopter who has thought about it, and about the cat's safety at night and near roads, is a good sign.
Screening, and the handover in New Zealand
A modest rehoming fee plus screening is safer than a free listing, even for an everyday cat. Ask about their home, whether a rental allows cats, who is home, other pets, and their experience with cats. Meet in person and trust your instincts.
New Zealand has no national law requiring cats to be microchipped or desexed, though a Cat Management Bill is going through Parliament. Several councils already have cat bylaws, including Wellington City, Hutt City, Porirua, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Whangārei, Nelson, Tasman and the Far North, so tell the new owner to check their own council's rules.
If your cat is registered on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, sign in, open your cat's profile and choose "rehome pet", then enter the new owner's name and email. They must accept from the emailed link within a few days, or the transfer lapses. Pass on the desexing, vaccination and vet records as well.
Where to rehome, and the fee
If you cannot find the right home yourself, ask your nearest SPCA centre or a local cat rescue whether they can help. Cat rescues usually run at capacity, especially in kitten season, so ask early. Owner-to-owner rehoming keeps your cat at home with you until you choose the family.
For a sense of scale, SPCA New Zealand's adoption fee is $149 for an adult cat and $299 for a kitten, covering desexing, microchipping and vaccinations. A modest private rehoming fee is reasonable and safer than free. The screening you do matters more than the figure.
New to rehoming? Start with our step-by-step guide to rehoming a dog for free, our guide to screening adopters, and the reasons a modest fee beats free to good home.
Looking to adopt a Domestic Shorthair instead?
Browse Domestic Shorthairs available for adoption from rescues and owners across New Zealand.
See adoptable Domestic Shorthairs →Frequently asked questions
What is a domestic shorthair?+
A domestic shorthair is a mixed-breed, short-coated cat, the everyday moggy rather than a pedigree. They come in every colour and pattern, are generally adaptable, and make up most of the cats in New Zealand rescues.
Do cats have to be microchipped in New Zealand?+
Not under national law. A Cat Management Bill that would require microchipping and registration was introduced in December 2024 and is going through Parliament. Several councils already require desexing, microchipping or both through their own bylaws, so the rule depends on where the cat lives.
How do I transfer my cat's microchip to a new owner in New Zealand?+
If your cat is on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, sign in, choose the cat, click "rehome pet" and enter the new owner's name and email. The new owner must accept from the emailed link within a few days, or the transfer expires and you will need to send it again.
Why is my black cat taking longer to rehome?+
Black and older cats are often overlooked, through no fault of their own, so they can wait longer. Good photos in natural light, a warm and honest description, and a wider reach through LocalPetFinder all help. The right home is worth the wait.
How do I rehome my cat for free?+
List your cat on LocalPetFinder at no cost. Your email stays private until you reply, every listing is reviewed, and your cat appears alongside the SPCA cats near you. Keep your cat with you, screen the people who apply, and move the NZCAR registration at handover if your cat is registered.