Have you recently encountered a vulnerable stray kitten needing a home and are wondering, ‘Should I adopt a cat in Thailand?’

As an animal lover in a country with many stray cats and dogs, it’s natural to feel compelled to adopt a furry friend or two.

Trust me, I get it. As a regular kitten fosterer, I can’t tell you how easy it would have been for me to adopt them all!

But here’s the thing…

Adopting a cat anywhere is a HUGE decision. But when you’re a guest in the country you’re living in, there are additional things to consider.

So, to help you make the right decision, I’m outlining five fundamental questions to contemplate before you take that leap and adopt a cat in Thailand.

5 Things To Consider Before You Adopt A Cat In Thailand

Before you rush off to pick up a kitten from the shelter or welcome that stray cat into your home, ask yourself these five questions…

1. Does Your Accommodation Allow Pets?

Firstly, it’s important to note that the majority of accommodation in Thailand is not pet-friendly.

If you’re renting, don’t assume your landlord will be okay with you bringing a cat into the house. 

Before you start looking for a cat to adopt (or decide to take in your local stray), ask your landlord about the pet policy. It would be heartbreaking to adopt a cat and later find out you cannot keep them!

If they say that pets are not allowed, there is little you can do but wait until your contract finishes and then look for a new place that is pet-friendly.

In terms of pet-friendly accommodation in Thailand, houses are your best bet as opposed to condos.

Firstly, there are very few condos that allow pets. Secondly, condos typically do not have a safe outdoor space for pets. This means they will have to be an indoor cat (unless you turn your balcony into a catio!)

2. Is Everyone In The Family On Board With The Decision?

Your landlord is not the only person you should speak to about your cat adoption plans.

No matter how much you want to take in that friendly stray or adopt a pair of kittens needing a home, you MUST ensure everyone else in the household also wants to.

Often, when I’m trying to find homes for kittens, people will message me wanting to adopt. But after exchanging messages for a day or two, they turn around and say their partner said no.

So, to avoid wasting people’s time, speak with your partner and family about adopting BEFORE you message a cat rescuer or shelter.

Moreover, avoid guilt-tripping your partner into agreeing, as this will only cause tension and conflict.

I also recommend having several conversations about it before making a decision. One thing you absolutely must discuss in detail before deciding to adopt is your plans for the future…

3. Are You Willing To Bring Your Cat With You If You Leave Thailand?

Adopting a kitten is a long-term commitment. As an expat in Thailand, you likely won’t live here forever, but cats can live for 18 years or more.

So if you’re not willing to bring your cat with you when you leave, it’s better not to adopt one.

While this may sound harsh, I’ve seen far too many cases where foreigners have left Thailand and abandoned their pets.

Like dogs, cats form incredibly close bonds with their humans.

This is also true for strays.

So if you’ve been letting a stray kitty into your home for years, and then, one day, you move away and leave them, they WILL feel abandoned and heartbroken.

Moreover, it is extremely difficult to rehome an adult cat.

So if you’re thinking “I’ll adopt a cat to keep me company while I’m in Thailand then I’ll rehome them when I leave” this won’t work.

Even if you’re planning to live in Thailand for many years, remember that things can change quickly. As foreigners, we can never have 100% stability in Thailand.

You should also know that taking a cat from Thailand to another country is challenging. It is expensive, complicated, and lengthy.

However, with research and preparation, it’s totally possible and well worth the effort!

To learn more about bringing your cat from Thailand to the EU or UK download my FREE Pet Relocation Guide.

If you’re not willing to do this but still want to adopt a Thai cat, consider adopting an elderly kitty or a cat with a chronic disease like FeLV or FIV.

These cats will have a much shorter lifespan than kittens, making them a better option for expats. But bear in mind that elderly cats and those with chronic diseases will require special care and additional medical costs.

4. Do Your Long-Term Plans Support Having A Pet?

Next, consider your general future plans. For example, do you plan to stay in one part of Thailand? Or do you want to travel around the country and live in different cities?

Because it is hard to find pet-friendly accommodation in Thailand, if you plan to move around, note that finding places to stay might be a challenge.

Another thing to consider is children.

Do you plan to start a family or have more children in the coming years?

If so, how will having a cat affect those plans? Will you still have time for your pet with a family to raise?

What about your job?

For example, if you’re currently working from home or part-time hours, you may have lots of time for a cat right now.

But what if things change? If you get a new job requiring more time, will you still be able to care for your cat’s needs?

5. Can You Afford To Care For A Cat?

Finally, while you will likely adopt a cat in Thailand for free, caring for one can be costly.

Here are the typical cat care costs you can expect:

• The initial resources your cat will need, such as a cat carrier or backpack, litter box, scratching post, toys, etc
• Cat food (both wet and dry cat food is best)
• Initial vaccinations (if not already complete)
• Sterilization costs (if the cat is not yet sterilized)
• Annual vaccinations (combined & rabies vaccines)
• Vet checkups/medications/treatments for any illnesses or injuries
• Cat-sitting or cat hotel costs when you go on vacation or travel
• All the treats, toys, and gadgets you’ll see and be unable to resist buying!

Even though vet prices in Thailand are considerably lower than in Western countries, sudden health issues can result in unexpected medical bills.

Moreover, as mentioned, taking your cat from Thailand to another cat is very expensive. Just preparing all the pet travel documents and doing the Rabies Titer test costs between 10,000 and 20,000 baht.

In addition, you’ll need to pay a pet fee on your flight, which can be anywhere from $100 to $1000!

Making The Right Decision

Let me be clear: I didn’t create this list to put you off adopting a cat in Thailand!

My intention is to help you consider your decision thoroughly and understand the reality of becoming a pet parent.

By considering the future and how a cat fits into it, you’ll be clearer on the long-term reality of adopting a Thai cat.

This is not to say that you should not consider adopting if you travel often or only want to stay in Thailand for 2 years.

I know many people here who have cats and travel a lot. I also know multiple people who adopted a Thai cat and then took them back to their home country less than a year later.

But knowledge is power. So the more you know about adopting a cat in Thailand, the more chance you and your kitty will have a long and happy life together!

Where To Adopt A Cat In Thailand

If you’ve gone through the five questions above and determined that adopting a cat is the right decision, your next question might be, “Where can I adopt a cat in Thailand?”

To help you with this part of the adoption process, I’m sharing some reputable rescue centers and cat shelters in Thailand.

Where To Adopt A Cat In Bangkok

If you’re looking for reputable cat adoption in Bangkok, check out PAWS. PAWS rescues an incredible number of sick and injured stray cats and kittens, nurses them back to health, and finds them homes in Bangkok and beyond.

You can adopt a cat or kitten from PAWS by visiting their shelter or their adoptable cat cafe, Asok Pethouse.

Where To Adopt A Cat In Phuket

If you’re based in Phuket and looking to adopt a cat, I highly recommend contacting Simone at RAL (Rawai Animal Lovers).

Simone has been caring for stray cats in Rawai for 20 years. As the primary cat rescuer in south Phuket, RAL always has plenty of cats and kittens looking for a forever home.

Where To Adopt A Cat In Chiang Mai

Adopt Meow is your go-to for cat adoption in Chiang Mai, run by a group of locals and expats who rescue, foster, and rehome stray cats.

Adopt Meow doesn’t have a physical shelter you can visit. However, you can contact them through their Facebook page to find out about their available kittens.

Where To Adopt A Cat In Koh Phangan

PACS (Phangan Animal Care For Strays) is the sole animal rescue center in Koh Phangan. While the shelter houses many stray dogs, PACS often have cats and kittens needing homes.

You can contact PACS to arrange a visit to the center, where you can see the cats available for adoption.

Where To Adopt A Cat In Koh Lanta

Lanta Animal Welfare rescues homeless, sick, and injured cats and dogs and finds them loving forever homes. They find homes for dogs and cats in Thailand and facilitate overseas adoptions, too.

You can view their current adoptable cats on the website or book a tour to meet the kitties in person.