How do I contact the shelter about Rufus?

Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Velbert handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Rufus on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.

Can I adopt Rufus if I live in another country?

Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Velbert will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.

Is Rufus already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?

Most cats on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.

What happens if Rufus isn't the right fit?

Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Velbert early rather than rehoming privately; they know Rufus and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.

Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?

TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.

← Back to results

Likely adopted

Rufus

European Shorthair · Male · Senior · 11 years

Housing requirement: Apartment with balcony / Single cat Breed: EKH Color: Black Date of birth: 01.05.2015 Gender: Male Neutered: Yes In the shelter since: 31.03.2026 Rufus came to our shelter as a surrendered pet and is a true character cat who knows exactly what he wants—and what he doesn’t. This handsome tomcat is extremely people-oriented: He actively seeks the company of his caregivers and demands their affection. In these moments, he fully enjoys their undivided attention and shows his affectionate side. On the other hand, Rufus has a strong personality with very clear boundaries: If something doesn’t suit him or becomes overwhelming, he communicates this very directly—sometimes even using his teeth and claws. However, cat experts will quickly appreciate his honest nature. Since Rufus is currently still a bit overweight, his future adopters should keep an eye on his figure—a little “wellness program” would do him—and his joints—good (even if he probably sees it differently 😉). Due to his impulsive nature, his new home should offer a quiet retreat without small children. Furthermore, Rufus is a convinced loner who doesn’t want to share his territory or his humans with other animal companions. For this house cat, we’re looking for an apartment owner with a secured balcony, so he can relax, observe the world around him, and keep an eye on his domain. We’re seeking experienced cat owners with plenty of time who can read his body language and respect his need for personal space.

DE·Show original

Haltung: Wohnung mit Balkon / Einzelkatze Rasse: EKH Farbe: schwarz Geb.-Datum: 01.05.2015 Geschlecht: männlich Kastriert: ja Im Tierheim seit: 31.03.2026 Rufus kam als Abgabetier zu uns ins Tierheim und ist ein echter Charakterkater, der genau weiß, was er will – und was nicht. Der stattliche Kater ist einerseits extrem menschenbezogen: Er sucht aktiv die Nähe seiner Bezugspersonen und fordert seine Streicheleinheiten ein. In diesen Momenten genießt er die volle Aufmerksamkeit und zeigt seine anhängliche Seite. Andererseits ist Rufus eine echte Persönlichkeit mit sehr deutlichen Grenzen: Wenn ihm etwas nicht passt oder es ihm zu viel wird, kommuniziert er das sehr direkt und setzt dabei auch mal Zähne und Krallen ein. Katzenkenner werden sein ehrlichen Charakter aber schnell zu schätzen wissen. Da Rufus aktuell noch etwas zu gut genährt ist, sollten seine zukünftigen Dosenöffner ein Auge auf seine Figur haben – ein bisschen „Wellnessprogramm“ würde ihm, und seinen Gelenken, nämlich gut tun ( auch wenn er es vermutlich anders sieht 😉 ) Aufgrund seiner impulsiven Art sollte sein neues Zuhause ein Rückzugsort ohne kleine Kinder sein. Außerdem ist Rufus ein überzeugter Einzelgänger, der sein Reich und seine Menschen nicht mit anderen tierischen Mitbewohnern teilen möchte. Für den Stubentiger wünschen wir uns eine Wohnungshaltung mit gesicherten Balkon, damit er entspannt die Welt beobachten und sein Reich überblicken kann. Hier sind katzenerfahrene Menschen mit viel Zeit gefragt, die seine Körpersprache lesen können und seinen Freiraum respektieren

Size

—

Age

Senior · 11 years

Location

🇩🇪Velbert

Shelter

Tierheim Velbert

Living with Rufus

✓Neutered
✓Good with kids

Cared for by Tierheim Velbert · Velbert Learn about European Shorthair →

More cats in Velbert →More cats in Germany →

Listed 4 months ago

Bringing Rufus home

What you'll need for Rufus in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Rufus

What life with Rufus looks like

Rufus is a senior european shorthair cat waiting at Tierheim Velbert in Velbert.

Senior cats are the gentlest house guests: predictable, mostly silent, and grateful for a sunny windowsill. Older cats often have minor dental or kidney issues — keep an eye on water intake and weight. Many sleep eighteen hours a day and want no part of any drama.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Velbert, Germany — browse more cats in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Rufus, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Rufus?: Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Velbert handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Rufus on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Rufus if I live in another country?: Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Velbert will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Rufus already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?: Most cats on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Rufus isn't the right fit?: Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Velbert early rather than rehoming privately; they know Rufus and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?: TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.