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

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Siberian and Siberian cross listed with us in London and within about 35 miles, and each profile links to the rescue. Siberians rarely reach the general cat rescues around London, so a low count, or none, is the honest picture. The GCCF, the UK pedigree cat registry, says each of its affiliated cat clubs has a welfare officer who keeps lists of older or rescued cats that need homes, and of people willing to offer them one.

Sometimes because an owner's life changes. The Siberian Cat Club says a pet owner's situation sometimes changes unavoidably, making rehoming a necessity, and that as the breed grows in the UK some Siberians will be displaced or abandoned. It says Siberians bond strongly with their owners, so it tries to find permanent homes quickly to reduce the stress of the move.

The Siberian Cat Club asks for a donation of £250 for each cat, more for kittens and young cats, and every cat it rehomes is microchipped. Strawberry Persian and Pedigree Cat Rescue doesn't publish a set fee, but says all its cats are neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and flea and worm treated, with 5 weeks' free insurance.

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 is the one UK source we found on Siberian health. The GCCF calls the Siberian generally a healthy breed, but says cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle and the most common form of heart problem in cats, have been recorded in it. Ask what the rescue's or owner's vet has checked, including the heart.

• Neutering. The GCCF says Siberians reach reproductive maturity earlier than most breeds, so a cat that isn't already neutered should be booked in with a vet.
• Coat. It says the thick coat mats without regular grooming: comb it a few times a week, and daily during the heavy spring and autumn moults.

The GCCF describes Siberians as energetic, playful and loyal, and says they can be taught to walk on a lead, which helps where there is no secure outdoor space. It calls them a good choice for families with young children and says they mix well with other animals, including dogs. They are large and slow to mature: full development can take four to five years.

Strawberry Persian and Pedigree Cat Rescue only rehomes indoor-only cats: it will rehome to a flat, but windows stay closed and there is no balcony access unless the balcony is fully cat-proofed. With a cat from the club, ask how it has lived so far.

Rescue Siberians are adopted, not sold: you apply or join a waiting list, the club or rescue decides which home suits each cat best, and you pay its adoption fee or donation. Most cats that need rehoming are adults, though The Siberian Cat Club says it may ask more for kittens and young cats, so kittens do come up now and then.

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.