Rescue guide
Cat rescues in Northampton and Northamptonshire, compared
Until this update we listed no cats near Northampton. Two rescues now add theirs, a sanctuary at Little Irchester and the National Animal Welfare Trust's centre at Aspley Guise, and three Cats Protection branches cover the area on their own sites. Here is how each works and what each charges.
By the LocalPetFinder Team · Checked 7 November 2026
The short answer
For a rescue cat near Northampton, try Animals In Need Northamptonshire at Little Irchester, about 10 miles away, which asks £75 for an adult cat, or NAWT Bedfordshire at Aspley Guise, about 19 miles, at £120 a cat. Cats Protection's Northampton Branch asks £85 a cat and rehomes through its own site.
- Rescue adoption fees
- Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Cats Protection says you can expect to pay £80 to £120 on average for an adult cat and £100 to £120 for a kitten, varying between its branches, and Blue Cross fees start from £150 for cats aged 4 months to 7 years. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.
- Animals In Need
- A minimum donation of £75 an adult cat or £200 for a pair of kittens; vaccinated, chipped and neutered.
- NAWT Bedfordshire
- £120 a cat, with 4 weeks of free Petplan cover.
- Keeping a cat
- £11,400 to £13,600 or more across a cat's life, by PDSA's estimate.
Cat rescues near Northampton compared
The first two list their cats with us from this update; the Cats Protection branches rehome through their own listings. Mileages are in a straight line from the town centre.
| Rescue | Where the cats are | First step | Cat fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animals In Need Northamptonshire | Sanctuary at Little Irchester (about 10 miles) | Email the cat team for an appointment | £75 adult; £200 two kittens |
| NAWT Bedfordshire | Centre at Aspley Guise (about 19 miles) | Register interest on the cat's page | £120 |
| Cats Protection Northampton | Volunteer branch, NN1 to NN7, NN11, NN12 | Enquire through the cat's listing | £85 cat; £105 kitten |
How each cat rescue near Northampton works
One is a busy mixed sanctuary, the other a national charity's local centre.
Animals In Need Northamptonshire, Little Irchester
Set up in 1990, Animals In Need rescues wildlife as well as pets. When we checked on 7 November 2026, most of its cat cards were litters and pairs, among them mothers with kittens and sisters of two, and a couple of cats of about 10 who want a quieter home.
Cat viewings are by appointment, arranged by email with its cat team, and every adoption needs a home check. Cats leave fully vaccinated, microchipped and neutered with 4 weeks of insurance. It rehomes kittens only in pairs, and not to homes with children under 5.
NAWT Bedfordshire, Aspley Guise
Formerly HULA Animal Rescue, this National Animal Welfare Trust centre serves Bedford, Milton Keynes and nearby villages and opens 11am to 4pm, closed Tuesdays. On 7 November 2026 its cats page had kittens and young adults, including a bonded pair to go home together.
You register interest on a cat's page; NAWT contacts matched applicants in date order, then you visit, sometimes more than once.
Choosing a cat rescue from Northampton
Our Northampton cats page shows who is waiting; a few things to weigh:
- Children under 5. Animals In Need won't rehome kittens to a home with children under 5: an adult cat may suit you better.
- One kitten or two. Animals In Need sends kittens home in pairs; ask NAWT about a single kitten.
- Milton Keynes. NAWT Bedfordshire is about 6 miles from Milton Keynes, nearer than anything else we list; see our Milton Keynes cats page.
Cats Protection and the RSPCA around Northampton
Three Cats Protection volunteer branches cover the area: Northampton (£85 a cat, £105 a kitten), Milton Keynes (£100 a cat, £120 a kitten under 6 months) and Wellingborough & Rushden (£95 a cat, £115 a kitten). The RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch at Rushden rehomes cats too. We don't list their cats, so search their own sites.
The law in England
Microchipping cats
In England, cats must be microchipped before they are 20 weeks old and registered on a database, a rule in force since 10 June 2024. An owner found without one has 21 days to comply or may be fined up to £500. Free-living cats (farm, feral and community cats) are exempt.
Lucy's Law: buying a kitten
In England, Lucy's Law has meant since 6 April 2020 that kittens under six months can't be sold by a third party such as a pet shop or dealer: you buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rehoming centre.
Questions
Tap a question to expand
Is there a cat rescue in Northampton?
Cats Protection's Northampton Branch is run by volunteers in the town and rehomes through its own site. The cat rescues we list are Animals In Need Northamptonshire at Little Irchester, about 10 miles away, and NAWT Bedfordshire at Aspley Guise, about 19 miles.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat near Northampton?
Animals In Need asks a minimum donation of £75 for an adult cat, NAWT charges £120, and Cats Protection's Northampton Branch asks £85 a cat and £105 a kitten.
Is Cats Protection in Northampton on LocalPetFinder?
No. Cats Protection's Northampton, Milton Keynes and Wellingborough & Rushden branches rehome through their own listings; enquire there as well as on our pages.
Which cat rescue is nearest Milton Keynes?
NAWT Bedfordshire at Aspley Guise, about 6 miles away. Cats Protection's Milton Keynes branch also rehomes cats, on its own site.
Can I visit Animals In Need to see the cats?
Only with an appointment, arranged by email with its cat team. The sanctuary opens to the public 12 to 3pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Are rescue cats near Northampton neutered?
Animals In Need's cats leave neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. NAWT gives every animal it rehomes 4 weeks of free Petplan cover.
Can I adopt an older cat near Northampton?
Yes. On 7 November 2026 Animals In Need had two cats of about 10 looking for calm homes, and our Northampton older cats page lists those waiting now.
Keep reading
For rescues and rehoming centres
Are you a rescue near Northampton? Get your animals listed free.
Every animal links back to your own adoption page, and you can ask to be removed at any time.
Sources: Animals In Need: about us (1990) · Animals In Need: cats (donations, pairs, home check; dated snapshot) · Animals In Need: contact (Pine Tree Farm, opening) · NAWT Bedfordshire: centre page · NAWT: the process (register interest, fees) · NAWT Bedfordshire: cats for rehoming (dated snapshot) · Cats Protection: Northampton Branch · Cats Protection: Milton Keynes branch · Cats Protection: Wellingborough & Rushden branch · RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch: adopt a pet · PDSA: the cost of owning a cat · gov.uk: Get your dog microchipped · gov.uk: Banned dogs · gov.uk: Lucy's Law in England · legislation.gov.uk: Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 · gov.uk: microchipping for cats becomes compulsory