Adopting a Ragdoll cat in London: rescues, rules and costs

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Ragdoll and Ragdoll cross listed with us in London and within about 35 miles, and each profile links to the rescue. Ragdolls turn up at the general cat rescues around London only now and then, so a low count is the honest picture. The GCCF, the UK pedigree cat registry, points people looking for a particular breed to breed clubs, which have a welfare officer to rehome pedigree cats that can no longer stay with their owners.

Usually because of a change in the owner's life. The British Ragdoll Cat Club says it has rehomed over 60 cats a year for the past few years, because of changes in their owners' circumstances or serious health and welfare issues that mean they can no longer keep their cats. Its rehoming page adds that it takes in many cats that had to be moved from homes with children or other pets because they couldn't cope, which is why so many are listed for adult-only homes.

Neither pedigree rescue publishes a set fee, so ask. What the fee buys is clear: Strawberry Persian and Pedigree Cat Rescue says all its cats are neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and flea and worm treated, with 5 weeks' free insurance, and its adoption page says lifetime insurance is a requirement for every cat it rehomes.

With a bought kitten, ask the breeder what has already been done; Cats Protection gives £200 to well over £1,000 for a registered pedigree. Running costs are the same either way: PDSA puts the minimum at £79 a month.

The GCCF says Ragdolls can carry a gene for a heart disease called HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), which can lead to heart failure at an early age. A DNA test has existed since 2007, and since 24 February 2016 every Ragdoll registered for breeding with the GCCF must be tested for the one known Ragdoll HCM gene. A rescue cat's parents are rarely known, so ask what the rescue's vet has checked.

• Early heart disease can be silent. International Cat Care says Ragdolls are at greater risk of HCM, that cats may show no signs at all early on, and that a vet may pick up early signs, such as a heart murmur, during an examination.
• Kidneys. PDSA lists polycystic kidney disease, where cysts in the kidneys grow until they stop working, alongside HCM, and says a genetic test is available.
• Coat. PDSA says the silky coat needs grooming at least weekly, with extra attention under the arms and around the neck, where tangles form.

Both pedigree rescues expect an indoor life. The British Ragdoll Cat Club says that, like most pedigree cats, Ragdolls are indoor cats, and that complete freedom is not recommended because their easy-going nature can make them less aware of danger; its listings say what outside space each cat needs, such as a catio or secure garden. Strawberry Persian and Pedigree Cat Rescue only rehomes indoor-only cats, with no garden or balcony access.

They are big cats: the GCCF calls the Ragdoll one of the largest breeds, taking up to four years to mature. The British Ragdoll Cat Club reminds adopters that an indoor cat needs a litter tray, and PDSA's weekly grooming takes time too.

Rescue Ragdolls are adopted, not sold: you apply for a particular cat, the rescue decides which home suits it best, and you pay its adoption fee. Breed rescues rehome cats whose owners can no longer keep them, so expect an adult rather than a kitten.

If you decide to buy, Cats Protection suggests a breeder registered with a breed association such as the GCCF, and seeing the kitten with its mother at home rather than buying from a video or social media advert. The GCCF suggests asking for copies of the parents' HCM test results. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud.