Why pet insurance matters for rescue cats and their new families

Imagine falling in love with a rescue cat, only to worry about how you’ll afford the vet bills if they get sick. It’s a common fear for many new owners, especially when adopting older cats or those with health needs.

Many rescue cats come from tough backgrounds. They may be older, have long-term conditions, or have spent years living as strays. While the rewards of adopting are huge, concerns about unexpected vet bills can make people hesitate.

Pet insurance can help cover those costs, so owners don’t face big expenses alone.
 

Why some rescue cats are overlooked

Cats needing extra care such as daily medication, regular check-ups, or treatment for long-term conditions are often passed over in favour of kittens and younger cats. Many can wait months, even years, to find a home.

Steven, co-founder of Stray & Co, explains:

“Many people don’t have pet insurance for their cats, and when something goes wrong, they simply can’t afford the vet bills. Sadly, that often leads to cats being abandoned.”

“One of the biggest barriers to adoption, especially for older or unwell cats, is the fear of ongoing vet bills. Pet insurance is a powerful way to give more stray cats the second chance they deserve.”

Free or low-cost pet insurance gives new owners peace of mind and removes a huge barrier to saying yes to a cat that needs a second chance.
 

How pet insurance helps rescues and shelters

Local rescues and shelters do amazing work but often run on limited resources and donations. Most are stretched for funding and space. Our partnership with Stray & Co helps more rescues offer practical support to adopters.

“When owners have insurance in place, they’re less likely to return or surrender a cat due to unexpected costs. In turn, this frees up space and resources so rescues can help more animals in need.”
 

Benefits of pet insurance for rescue cats

• Covers unexpected vet costs
• Gives owners confidence to adopt cats with health needs
• Supports older cats who are often overlooked*
• Reduces the risk of cats being returned
• Helps shelters find homes faster

British Pet Insurance supports rescue cats

We’re proud to work alongside rescues and charities like Stray & Co to make adopting a rescue cat easier for everyone. We offer 4 weeks of free pet insurance to new owners of rescue cats, so they don’t have to worry about surprise vet bills from day one.

Together, we can give every rescue cat the chance to find the loving home they deserve.

If you’re an animal charity looking to give adopters extra support, visit our charity partnership page to find out how to offer 4 weeks free introductory insurance.
 

About Stray & Co

Stray & Co was founded by Steve and Greg after the loss of Steve’s rescue cat, Hugo. Their mission is to highlight the struggles of stray and rescue cats through storytelling and community projects, giving shelters a bigger voice and helping more cats find loving homes.

One such story is Ed Sheeran, a cat with FELV (Feline leukemia virus) who was saved from being put down thanks to Katkinz Rescue taking him in. After promoting his story, Stray & Co helped him find a loving forever home.

Learn more at strayandco.co.uk.

*Terms and conditions apply. Read the policy documents before taking out a policy.