Cats in Pattaya
Getting a cat in Pattaya: adopt, kitten or street cat
There is no shortage of cats in Pattaya that need a home — the question is mostly how to do it well for the cat and for you.
Last updated 30 May 2026
Adopting from a shelter or rescue
Adoption is the route we would point most people to first. Pattaya and the wider region have shelters and rescues with cats and kittens looking for homes, and a reputable rescue will usually have already vaccinated, neutered and health-checked the cat — so you start from a known, settled position. See the adopt a pet hub for organisations.
The street-kitten reality
Many people in Pattaya do not choose a cat so much as a cat chooses them — a kitten appears, and they take it in. That is a kind thing to do, but go straight to a vet first. A street kitten needs a health check, parasite treatment (fleas, ticks and worms are almost guaranteed), and, when old enough, vaccination and neutering. If you already have cats, keep the newcomer separate until a vet has checked it, because of FeLV, FIV and other infections.
Buying a kitten
If you buy from a breeder or shop, take care. Ask to see the kitten with its mother and littermates, check it looks bright, clean and well, ask what vaccinations and worming it has had, and be wary of kittens sold very young. A healthy, well-started kitten saves heartache later.
First steps with any new cat
- A vet visit early on — health check, parasite treatment, and a plan for vaccination and neutering.
- One room first — settle a new cat in a single quiet room with food, water, litter and a hiding spot, then widen its world gradually.
- Slow introductions — to other pets, by scent and through a door before any face-to-face meeting.
- Microchip the cat once the vet advises, so it can be identified if it is ever lost — see microchipping.
- Vaccinate on schedule — see cat vaccinations in Thailand.
What to have ready at home
Before the cat arrives: food and water bowls, a litter tray and litter, a scratching post, somewhere to hide and somewhere up high, and a few toys. Keep balconies and windows secure from day one — see indoor or outdoor cats.
Frequently asked
Where can I adopt a cat in Pattaya?
Through local shelters and rescues — our adopt a pet hub lists organisations in and around Pattaya. A reputable rescue usually vaccinates, neuters and health-checks cats before rehoming.
I found a street kitten — what should I do first?
Take it to a vet for a health check and parasite treatment, and arrange vaccination and neutering when it is old enough. If you have other cats, keep the kitten separate until the vet has checked it for FeLV, FIV and other infections.
How do I introduce a new cat to my home?
Start it in one quiet room with everything it needs, then expand its space gradually. Introduce other pets slowly — by scent and through a closed door first — never with a sudden face-to-face meeting.