Adopting a Siamese cat in London: rescue, rules and costs

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Siamese and Siamese cross listed with us in London and within about 35 miles, and each profile links to the rescue. Siamese rarely reach the general cat rescues around London, so a low count, or none, is the honest picture. The page also picks up colourpoint and Snowshoe cats, and the GCCF, the UK pedigree cat registry, notes that the pointed pattern has been bred into other breeds, so a colourpoint cat is not always a Siamese.

The Siamese Cat Welfare Trust reminds adopters that its cats are rescues and are with it for specific reasons, which is why it matches each one carefully. It doesn't publish a breakdown of those reasons, so ask about the cat's history. One reason a Siamese may not suit its first home is time alone: the GCCF says a Siamese is not an ideal cat for someone out at work all day, because they don't like being left on their own.

Through The Siamese Cat Welfare Trust you make a donation that covers the costs of the cat's care, with no set amount and an average of £100, and its cats come neutered, vaccinated and microchipped as necessary. It suggests checking the policies of the owners and clubs who list cats on its page, and says direct homings from owners can expect a charitable donation.

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 lists several conditions linked to the breed. Ask what the rescue's or owner's vet has checked, and remember that not every Siamese will have any of them.

• Breathing and digestion. The GCCF says Siamese seem to suffer more from chronic coughing (asthma) and to vomit more than other breeds, and PDSA lists asthma too.
• Cancer. The GCCF says some lines may be predisposed to some cancers, such as mediastinal lymphoma (a cancer in the chest) and some intestinal tumours, and PDSA lists mediastinal lymphoma.
• Eyes and hips. The GCCF says progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an eye disease, has been identified in the breed, and that Siamese may be predisposed to hip dysplasia.
• Pica. The GCCF says some lines eat non-food items such as woollen clothes and plastic, and that the reason is not understood.

The GCCF calls the Siamese "outgoing, extrovert & noisy", known as much for its loud voice as its looks, and says it is highly intelligent and needs to be kept amused with toys and scratching posts. In a flat with neighbours through the wall, ask how chatty the cat is.

Company matters most. The GCCF says the problem of being left alone can be overcome by having two Siamese, so ask The Siamese Cat Welfare Trust whether a pair might suit you. The coat is easy: the GCCF says it doesn't need much grooming.

Rescue Siamese are adopted, not sold: you apply or join a homing list, the charity matches a cat to your home, and you make a donation. The Siamese charity has no kittens, so expect an adult whose character is already known.

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. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud.