The pandemic saw an increase in pet adoptions as many people have started working from home. In its aftermath, many have continued to do so. Perhaps you’re one of them, and you’ve considered adopting a cat to keep you company as you tap away on your laptop.
In this age of uncertainty and change, adopting a cat is one of the best decisions you can make. You, like many cat owners, will report being happier and more confident, and you’ll also save a life too!
Before you adopt a cat, you must first prepare your home for one. We’ve compiled a list of 11 popular cat adoption centres in Singapore along with their prices, and a list of what to do before getting a cat.
For all other pets, check out our guide to the best pet adoption centres in Singapore!
Where to Adopt Cats in Singapore
1. Animal Lovers League
Animal Lovers League is one of Singapore’s largest and oldest registered animal charities. They house around 500 animals, including cats and dogs in their no-kill facility.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, check out our guide to the best dog adoption centres in Singapore!
Email: general@animalloversleague.com
WhatsApp: 9670 8052 (Mohan)
Address: The Animal Lodge, 59 Sungei Tengah Road, Block Q #01-29, Singapore 699014
Opening hours: By appointment only
2. Cat Welfare Society
Established in 1999, CWS is a public cat adoption board which was founded following a newspaper report about 5 kittens being burnt alive in a box. This incident spurred like-minded cat lovers to come together to help better the lives of stray cats in Singapore.
While CWS doesn’t impose a fixed adoption fee, it’s recommended that fosterers charge between $40 – $80 so that they can care for more cats. Hence, adoption fees may be higher in cases where extensive treatment was needed.
In such cases, do ensure to check with the fosterer to find out what procedure had been done.
Email: info@catwelfare.org
3. Causes for Animals Singapore
CAS works with other local animal welfare organisations to promote sustainable and ethical treatments of street dogs and cats. By doing so, they hope to strive towards a stray-free country.
Adoption fees are dependent on procedures done.
Email: adoption@causesforanimals.com
Phone: 9793 7162 / 9697 3491
Opening hours: By appointment from 12pm – 3pm
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4. Love Kuching Project
Love Kuching Project is a community-based cat rescue group that rescues and rehabilitates ill or injured strays before nursing them back to health.
Aside from putting these cats up for adoption, they also have a cat therapy initiative. An Outreach Team is formed to conduct therapy sessions for seniors in nursing homes as well as for special needs students. sbobet88
Another way to be involved is to sign up as a play/clean volunteer. Based on a strict schedule, you’ll play with the cats and help to clean them after according to your availability.
Email: assist@lovekuchingproject.org
5. Metta Cats and Dogs Sanctuary
Founded in 1999 by Mdm Lee Siew Ying, the Metta Cats and Dogs Sanctuary was named after the pali word “Metta” which refers to the special bond between humans and animals.
The shelter started off housing 50 cats and dogs and there are now more than 200 dogs up for adoption. It’s one of Singapore’s few no-kill shelters.
Email: mcdscatsponsor@gmail.com
Address: The Animals Lodge, 59 Sungei Tengah Road, Block U, #02-47/48, Singapore 69901
Opening hours: By appointment only (Saturday, 2pm – 5pm and Sunday, 3pm – 6pm)
6. Mutts & Mittens
In addition to pet boarding services, Mutts & Mittens works with various welfare groups to help rescue and rehome cats and dogs in need. For animals who are unable to get adopted, Mutts & Mittens continues to provide shelter and care for them till they grow old.
Email: info@muttsnmittens.com
Phone: 6583 7371 / 6583 7372
Address: Lucky Cat Inn, 175 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399721
7. Project LUNI
Image credit: Project LUNI
Adoption fee: $150Apart from feeding community cats and rehoming strays, Project LUNI assists the community with their TNR (trap-neuter-return) programme, and provides medical care for sick or injured street cats.
In 2022, Project LUNI rescued and rehomed 292 kittens and sterilised 182 cats through their TNR programme. They have also fed 400 community cats.
All of the foster cats are dewormed and if required, treated against mites, fleas and various illnesses. Most of their cats that are 5 months or older are sterilised and microchipped.
Email: info@project-luni.com
Address: 100 Peck Seah Street #08-14 PS100 Singapore 079333
8. Project Save Our Street Kittens Singapore
In collaboration with the Cat Welfare Society, Project SOSK was started by Claire and Julia to provide specialised neonatal care for orphaned and sick kittens in Singapore.
This project focuses mainly on kittens that are 4 weeks old and younger. However, they sometimes help to rescue and rehome adult cats as well. Do visit their Facebook page for updates on cats available for adoption.
9. Purely Adoptions
Purely Adoptions Limited started in 2009 to share community posts about stray animals and pets that are available for adoption. In just 3 years, it expanded to 15,000 members.
Apart from posting on Facebook, the team goes the extra mile by visiting shelters and speaking to people in the rescue scene to see how else they can contribute.
Email: hello@purelyadoptions.com
Phone: 9001 8848
10. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
The SPCA is an animal protection organisation set up to combat the alarming cases of pet abuse and abandonment in Singapore. You’ll be able to find dogs, cats and other small pets up for adoption here.
Email: enquiries@spca.org.sg
Phone: 6287 5355
Address: 50 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699012
Opening hours: By appointment only
| Type of Cat | Adoption Fee |
|---|---|
| Kittens Under 6 months | $100 |
| Adult cats 6 months to under 7.5 years | $80 |
| Adult cats • Above 7.5 years or • Stayed in SPCA over 1 year or • Has special needs / require long-term medical care | $25 |
| Pedigrees and crosses Under 7.5 years | $200 |
11. The Cat Museum / Kitten Sanctuary
To date, The Cat Museum has rescued more than 400 cats. Following the closure of the site, they have joined forces with a group of volunteers to start Kitten Sanctuary.
Rescue efforts are heavily promoted on the original Cat Museum Facebook page since the presence there is a lot stronger. However, you can follow both pages and contact either one entity to express your adoption and donation interests.
Email: purr@kittensanctuarysg.org
Address: 737A North Bridge Road, Singapore 198705
Opening hours: By appointment only
| Type of Cat | Adoption Fee |
|---|---|
| Kittens | $80 |
| Pedigree kittens | $150 |
| Adult cats | $80 |
Some other cat adoption centres that you may consider are:
• Cats and Kittens for Adoption Singapore Facebook Group
• Mdm Wong’s Shelter and Friends
• Noah’s Ark CARES
• Voices For Animals
Process of Adopting a Cat in Singapore
Here’s how the cat adoption process works in Singapore:
- Visit adoption drives and interact with cats or browse the adoption centre’s website to view the cats available for adoption.
- Once you have a cat in mind, express your interest to the organisation or adoption centre.
- An interview and home-visit will be arranged.
- A 2-week homestay trial will be conducted. In some cases, it may be done for a month or longer.
- Once the match is deemed suitable, you’ll be asked to sign an adoption form.
- The adoption centre will continue to check on your progress periodically as deemed necessary.
This procedure may differ for the various shelters and adoption centres. You are advised to contact your preferred cat shelter for more information.
Cat Adoption Fees in Singapore
Adoption fees depend on several factors such as the cat’s age and how long they’ve been up for adoption.
Furthermore, the adoption fees collected by most adoption centres only help to partially cover treatments and procedures like vaccinations and sterilisation.
| Cat Adoption Centre | Adoption Fee | Fee Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Lovers League | Free | - |
| Cat Welfare Society | $40 – $80 (To be confirmed with fosterer) | Depends on fosterer |
| Causes for Animals Singapore | $100 - $150 | |
| Love Kuching Project | $65 | - |
| Metta Cats and Dogs Sanctuary | $50 | |
| Mutts & Mittens | $250 | |
| Project LUNI | $150 | |
| Project Save Our Street Kittens | Free | |
| Purely Adoptions | $100 - $250 | |
| Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) | $25 - $200 | |
| The Cat Museum / Kitten Sanctuary | $80 - $150 |
Sterilisation and Vaccination Costs for Cats in Singapore
It’s important that your cat gets the proper vaccinations, sterilisation and routine medical and dental care.
In case any of these procedures aren’t provided by the adoption centre, here’s a list of common procedures and treatment costs for cats in Singapore.
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Health Check | $45 |
| Core Vaccination 4-in-1 | $40 |
| Feline Immunodeficiency Virus | $50 |
| Feline Leukaemia Vaccination (FeLV) | $43 |
| Rabies | $43 |
| Dental Scaling | $191 |
| Sterilisation | $156 - $260 (Costs less for males) |
| Microchipping | $50 - $90 |
Aside from having these procedures done, you may want to consider getting pet insurance to help you cope with any unexpected surgical and medical costs.
What to Do Before Adopting A Cat
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to have a cat. You’ve looked enviously at your friend’s cats, and scrolled through your social media feed, squealing at the Instagram famous ones. You definitely want to have one of your own. Here’s what to do before adopting one.
Evaluate Your Lifestyle
- Finances
Check that you’re financially able to provide for one. According to this SingSaver article, caring for a cat costs around S$1,706 yearly. It’s wise to set up a fund for emergency medical expenses.
- Working arrangement
Cats need attention from their owners. It’ll be difficult to keep a cat if you work long hours as you’ll need to play with and bond with him.
- Comfort level of family and housemates
Have a discussion with your family or housemates and make sure that everyone agrees to having a furball in the house.
It helps to talk honestly about what you expect from your cat and how you are going to care for him. Your family members and housemates can also talk about how involved they want to be in your cat’s life before proceeding with the adoption.
- Commitment
Remember that cats can live up to 15 to 20 years. Taking care of one is a lifetime commitment.
Cat Proofing Your Home
It can be worrying to see that there are so many hazards in the house, but you’ll have peace of mind when your little bundle of fur thrives in a safe home. Here are some safety measures to consider:
Clean The Floor
It’s best to clean your floor before getting a cat. Remove insect traps, toys, and rubber bands as your curious cat may eat these items and fall ill.
Give Toxic Plants Away
Some plants, such as lilies, irises, and poinsettias are toxic to cats, so you’ll have to give them away. You might want to look into growing some catnip or cat grass for your new pet to enjoy.
Keep Hazardous Chemicals Out of Reach
The detergent that you use to wash your clothes and chemical cleaners can poison your cat so be sure to secure them in a cabinet. If necessary, put latches on your cabinets to ensure that your cat doesn’t get to them.
Mesh Windows
Cats are curious creatures and may venture to the windows when bird-watching. If they are not careful, they may fall.
There are many ways to secure windows — you can get a professional to mesh up the windows or buy mesh and cable ties from the nearest hardware store to prevent your friend from falling.
Organise Wires
Kittens that are teething may bite wires and get an electric shock. Get some PVC tubes from the hardware store to wrap around these wires to safeguard them from cats.
Stash Food Away
Many types of food are toxic to cats, such as chocolate, grapes, and raisins. Ensure that your fridge and storage spaces are secure before your four-pawed friend enters the house.
Tape Up Furniture
Your new cat is probably going to scratch your sofa, so use double-sided tape to stick the areas where the cat may scratch, especially the armrests and the back.
Creating A Cat-Friendly Environment
Now that you’ve created a safe environment for your cat, you’ll have to create a cat friendly one. Here’s a list of necessities that you’ll need to create a cosy home for your cat.
Block Hiding Places
It’s more difficult for cats to come out of their shells if they start the first day of their new home hiding under the bed. Therefore, it’s best to encourage your cat to be confident by blocking the underneath of the sofa or bed.
You can slide in some plastic bed blockers or containers underneath.
Set Up Base Camp in a Room
Going to a new environment may be overwhelming for a cat, and simply letting your furball wander around his new house can be anxiety-inducing and result in behavioural problems. It’s better to set up a base camp so your cat can slowly adapt to a new environment.
According to Jackson Galaxy, you must “catify” the room, meaning to have furnishings in the room that cater to your cat so that he will feel at home. It’s also essential that you visit the room frequently to play with your cat and bond with him.
Here are the essential items to set up base camp in a room.
- Beds
- Carriers
- Food bowls and water bowls: Opt for a flat bowl made of metal, ceramic, stainless steel, glass or pyrex for better hygiene and comfort
- Litter boxes and litter
- Scratching posts and boards
- Towels and mats
- Toys: Interactive toys are great for keeping your cat stimulated
FAQs on Cat Adoption in Singapore
Is adopting a cat free in Singapore?
Some adopters may let you adopt a cat for free, but most of the time, if you’re adopting a cat from an adoption centre, you’ll pay a fee ranging from $40 to $250.
This fee is usually to subsidise the cost of caring for a cat, such as vaccination and microchipping and other expenses.
Is it ok to adopt 1 kitten?
It’s better to adopt kittens in pairs as they’ll learn how to socialise with each other. Kittens that are raised individually may not be as well adjusted as those who are raised in pairs and as a result, may develop behavioural problems later in life.
Can you adopt a stray cat in Singapore?
If you’ve found a cat on the street, it’s best to see if he’s microchipped or find his owner. Check if the cat is a community cat as some strays are considered resident cats in the area and taking them away from their usual spaces may cause the residents to worry.
If the cat is truly homeless and no one is caring for him, bring him to a vet to get checked out before adopting him.
Alternatively, visit an adoption centre to adopt a cat.
