Where to Adopt a Cat in Singapore?
Thinking about adopting a cat? We've got you covered!
Our sweet girl Mo Mo is looking for her forever home!
Welcome aboard! Let's explore the options available and embark on a journey to find your new best friend!
This article is a concise guide to adopting cats in Singapore, providing insight into adoption fees, related expenses, and the adoption process at various shelters across the island. Whether you're a first-time pet owner or a seasoned cat lover, finding your purr-fect companion begins here.
PAUSE. Now while the potential furry companions are extremely charming, are you truly ready to welcome a pet into your life and commit to the responsibilities of taking care of them for the rest of their lives? Here are some questions you should consider before embarking on this journey!
Are you ready to adopt your new furry friend into your life?
Imagine this: with the right care, your cat could be your pal for a whopping 20 years! But before you adopt, think ahead. Are you financially stable? Any big life changes coming up, like moving abroad or starting a family? Make sure you're ready to commit to your furry friend for the long haul!
Are you prepared to ensure that home is safe for your cat?
Keep those kitties indoors at all times! Make sure any window grilles are snug with gaps no wider than 1.5 inches for kittens or 2 inches for adult cats. You can get creative with solutions like installing grilles or adding plastic mesh. Chat with the folks rehoming your chosen furball to make sure you're on the same page with their safety needs!
Are you aware of the financial costs of adopting and owning a cat?
Owning a cat comes with a bunch of expenses over their lifetime, including:
Vaccinations: Expect 2 to 3 shots in the first year and boosters every 1 to 3 years, costing $30 to $80 each.
Sterilisation: A one-time cost, usually done around 6 to 8 months old, ranging from $50 to $250 for males and $100 to $350 for females.
Blood tests: Recommended annually for senior cats (around 8 years old), prices vary.
Specialised diets: Some cats develop allergies or sensitive stomachs, requiring pricier prescription diets.
Organ issues: As cats age, they may face kidney failure, urinary tract infections, or pancreatitis, leading to hefty vet bills. Be financially prepared for emergencies!
Are you aware of the new Cat Licensing requirements?
From 1 September 2024 onwards, all pet cats must be licensed. Licence applicants and licensees are required to comply with the following requirements:
Before licence application
Cat will need to be implanted with a microchip
All first-time cat licence applicants will need to complete a one-time free online pet ownership course
Cat owners will need to ensure that their cats are kept in a safe environment and take reasonable steps to protect their cats from hazards, including but not limited to installing mesh, grilles, screens or other barriers to prevent the cats from roaming or falling from height.
When in public, pet owners will need to ensure that their cats are kept under physical control and not allowed to freely roam, such as by using a harness or placing their cat in a carrier.
Read more here.
If you’re sure you wanna adopt a cat, let’s check out some places for cat adoptions! Here are 5 for today, but it would be good for you to do your own research too.
Disclaimer: All info was taken from the respective websites of these cat welfare organisations in July 2024. Please reach out to them to check for updated policies and processes!
Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary (that’s us, of course!) is one of Singapore’s oldest no-kill sanctuaries, established in 1999 as a non-profit organisation founded by Mdm Lee Siew Ying.
The name of the shelter is derived from the Pali language, in which “metta” means loving kindness and also refers to the special bond shared between humans and animals.
The sanctuary currently provides a home for over 200 rescued cats and dogs, many of whom endured challenging lives on the streets prior to their rescue. Rain or shine, Mdm Lee and her son Terry, occasionally supported by hired help, tend to the residents daily. For these animals, Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary is their sole haven.
Since Mdm Lee’s passing in 2019, Terry has taken over, leading a dedicated team of volunteers. Presently, the sanctuary relies entirely on donations and fundraising efforts, striving to raise approximately $24,000 monthly to sustain operations, not including the substantial medical expenses incurred for animal care.
With regards to adoption fees, there is a minimum $50 fee that is considered a donation to the sanctuary. Potential adopters should note the extensive adoption criteria and process, both of which can be found below!
Adoption criteria
Your windows must be meshed and your home cat proofed (including removing plants toxic to cats).
You must be willing and able to provide timely and adequate medical care for your cat when needed.
You must be willing and able to provide a good environment and good nutrition for your cat.
You must not let your cat wander outdoors unsupervised without a leash.
You must be comfortable with the adoption process - see below!
Adoption process
Check out their adoption gallery or social media!
Get in touch with them via the adoption interest form.
The shelter will contact you to set up an appointment! Please note this will be Saturday, 2-5pm or Sunday 3-6pm only.
Welcome to Metta for your first visit! Chat with them about the cat you’re keen on adopting, and whether he/she is suitable for your home.
Ponder ponder ponder…There is a 1-week cooling off period where you think about your kitty and update your family/ housemates.
Come down and discuss with the shelter again for your second visit and confirm the kitty you’re interested in. (Sometimes, more than 2 visits may be needed - they will discuss this with you.)
Get prepped! A checklist will be provided for you.
Once you’re all ready, the shelter will set up a video call to check out your meshing and cat proofing, and give some tips as needed!
If all is ok, Metta will bring the kitty down to begin a 2-week adoption trial.
After 2 weeks, if all’s good - ADOPTION SUCCESS! Keep in touch with us! We LOVE getting cute kitty pics and vids! :)
The Animal Lovers League is a registered no-kill shelter which became official in 2002. They aim to control the stray population in Singapore through sterilisation. This is the longest serving animal welfare group in Singapore, housing over 500 stray cats and dogs, making them one of the largest shelters as well.
With regards to adoption fees, this shelter requires none at all! Potential adopters should, however, take note of the adoption process below.
Adoption Process
1. Contact them
Have a look at the cats that are up for adoption on their social media and website! For cat adoptions, do WhatsApp Mohan at 9670 8052.
2. Meeting the animals
Get a chance to meet and play with their furry friends, one-on-one, to find your purr-fect match! All adoption visits are by appointment after procedural screening and no walk-ins are accepted.
3. Homestay
The shelter will have an interview and home visit to ensure that you are equipped with the necessary facilities to care for the cats! After this, you will undergo the adoption initiation process with a 2 week homestay. This is to see if the cat is able to adjust to the environment of your home and you to the lifestyle of having a new fur kid to care for.
4. Successful Adoption
You will be asked to sign an Adoption Form upon the completion of this process. The shelter will keep in contact with you to check in with your progress. No Adoption Fees are charged!
Disclaimer: All info was taken from the respective websites of these cat welfare organisations in July 2024. Please reach out to them to check for updated policies and processes!
The Cat Welfare Society is a paws-itively purr-fect Singapore-based organisation, officially registered under the Societies Act! Officially formed in July 1999, CWS was founded by a group of friends who got together to help community cats and kittens after reading about a violent case regarding the abuse of cats. In that year, efforts to control the stray population resulted in the culling of more than 13,000 cats. In response to this, CWS set out to reduce this figure, campaigning tirelessly over the years to protect our furry friends! This has led to a record low of less than 1000 cats put down since 2015. Over the years, CWS has evolved in its vision and mission, expanding their horizons and taking on new tasks including community mediation and frontline intervention, community cat population management, education on responsible practices, outreach and advocacy!
Potential adopters should note that the adoption fee is generally applicable, covering the medical fees and daily costs of the cats! This includes but is not limited to vaccination, deworming, cost of food and cost of cat litter.
Adoption process:
1. Choose a cat/kitten that you wish to meet!
Check out their Instagram or adoption board to make your decision, or meet them during CWS’ adoption drives.
2. Speak to the rehomer and arrange to meet the cat!
Each cat is cared for by a different rehomer who is independent from CWS, so you will need to speak directly with the rehomer to understand their expectation (e.g. meshing, diet, etc) and then move forward if you are in agreement. Once you are aligned with the rehomer in terms of expectations, you can arrange to meet the cat while taking steps to ensure your house is equipped for cats.
3. Verify cat proofing
Assuming there is chemistry when you meet the cat, the rehomer will then arrange to visit your home to verify that cat proofing is completed in accordance with their requirements.
4. Handover!
Finally, if all is well, a handover is conducted (there may be a trial period discussed with the rehomer or a one-time handover) and your adoption process concludes with an adoption contract signed between the two of you in your personal capacities.
Disclaimer: All info was taken from the respective websites of these cat welfare organisations in July 2024. Please reach out to them to check for updated policies and processes!
Adopt Rescue Kittens & Cats SG (ARKC)
Since their conception, Adopt Rescue Kittens & Cats Singapore has been on a mission to find happy homes for rescued kitties all around sunny Singapore! The organisation connects potential adopters with independent rescuers, fosterers, rehomers and shelters who have rescue kittens, and all their listed cats are rescues.
Adoption fees for this organisation are minimal and only for reimbursement of basic vet fees. Vet receipts and vaccination cards can be provided!
Adoption process
1. Identify the cat you are interested in adopting!
You can check out the cats and kittens who are up for adoption on their website.
2. Submit Adoption Form/Contact Rehomer
On the profile page of the cat or kitten you are keen to adopt, either submit the Adoption Form on the page or contact their rehomer via the contact number provided in the cat’s description! You may then expect the rehomer to contact you within a few days to arrange for a meeting.
3. After meeting the cat or kitten, confirm your decision to adopt!
Upon confirmation, you should begin cat-proofing and meshing of your home to prepare for your new companion.
4. Home visit!
Once cat-proofing is done, the rehomer will do a home visit before or on the day of adoption. This home visit is to ensure that your cat-proofing is safe for the cat or kitten and your family is ready to adopt.
5. Being an official cat owner!
Once your home is deemed ready, the cat or kitten will be released to you. An adoption agreement (courtesy of Cat Welfare Society) is to be signed. Adoption fees to cover part of the cat’s basic vet expenses will be collected (if applicable).
Disclaimer: All info was taken from the respective websites of these cat welfare organisations in July 2024. Please reach out to them to check for updated policies and processes!
Mutts & Mittens has been funding animal welfare work with the proceeds from their pet boarding services since their establishment in 2003! These funds are channelled towards the care of their rescued cats and dogs.
With regards to adoption fees, Mutts & Mittens charges $250, inclusive of microchipping, vaccinations, sterilisation and administration! Potential adopters should note the following adoption process:
Make an appointment with the organisation to meet your potential new furry friend, interact with and learn all about them through several visits!
If you would like to adopt, arrange with the staff for a home visit before beginning a home trial for a month or longer depending on your progress.
If the adoption is successful, all that is left is to sign the adoption papers and pay the adoption fee, and you can officially adopt your new fur-baby!
And that’s a wrap for 5 potential shelters you can adopt your cat from!
Whether you're a newcomer to the world of pet parenthood or a seasoned adventurer in the realm of whiskers and purrs, we hope this article has served as your trusty travel guide on the path to adoption. So, pack your bags, grab your cat carrier, and get ready to embark on the ultimate journey - the journey to find your new best friend!
Thank you for choosing to adopt instead of shop, and may your adventures together be filled with love, laughter, and endless cuddles. 🐾
Written by:
Low Le Ee, Joanne and Wee Heoh Ee, Eleanor
Eunoia Junior College Service Learning Club & MCDS volunteers
