Where can I adopt a cat or kitten in Jamaica?

If you’re in Jamaica and ready to give a cat a loving home, you might be wondering where to start. This guide will take you through the best places to adopt your new feline companion.

This is Cheesecake, a Jamaican street kitten rescued by OnlyPaws Cat Rescue, now happily living in a loving home right here in Jamaica.

The good news is that Jamaica has a passionate network of animal lovers and rescues dedicated to finding stray and abandoned cats the loving homes they deserve. From well-established shelters to local community efforts, there are plenty of purrfect candidates waiting for you to choose them.

Why Adopt A Cat in Jamaica

Jamaica is struggling with a stray cat overpopulation crisis and very few shelters and animal rescues exist in the country. Almost every shelter and rescue are over capacity every week. Every time you choose to adopt a cat in Jamaica, you are saving two lives: the cat you bring home, and the space you free up for the rescue to save another cat in need.  Adoption is a heroic thing and also cats are simply AMEOWZING!

Meet Loki, a Jamaican street kitten adopted through OnlyPaws Cat Rescue. now living his best life in his new home.

Where To Adopt A Cat in Jamaica

There are several fantastic organizations doing the hard work on the ground. Here are the main ones you should check out:

1. OnlyPaws Cat Rescue Jamaica (www.onlypawscatrescue.org)

   
   

You can adopt a cat in Jamaica through OnlyPaws Cat Rescue Ja, which is a uniquely supportive experience. When you choose to adopt through OnlyPaws, you’re not just giving a cat a home; you’re actively supporting a mission to save and improve the lives of street cats across Jamaica.

Step by Step Guide of OnlyPaws' Adoption Process

Step 1: Browse our adoptable street cats here: onlypawscatrescue.org/adopt. All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas/ticks, dewormed, given vitamin shots and receive a thorough wellness check at the vet.

Step 2: Start Your Adoption Application by filling out and submitting the adoption application form on the page. Your application will be reviewed within 7 days and once your application is approved, you will be contacted to schedule an interview to continue the adoption process.

Step 3: Once the interview goes well and you agree to continue, we’ll send you a personal link for your Adoption Agreement to be signed. It’s all online and hassle-free!

Here, you can fill in your details, verify your age (you must be 21+ to adopt), agree to our policies and share your Pre-Adoption Care setup. This includes photos or videos of your cat food, litter box, the space your cat will stay and of course your secure pet carrier. We give you time to get prepared so your new kitty will be safely transported and have everything they need when they arrive to their new home. Once it’s all submitted and signed, we’ll set up your adoption date and time along with the pick-up location.

Step 4: It's Adoption Day! You get to meet your fur baby for the first time and bring them home. OnlyPaws team will provide you with a copy of your Adoption Agreement along with an Adoption Guidelines document to help you and your cat adjust to their new home.

Jamaican street cat Breadfruit got adopted through OnlyPaws Cat Rescue

Step 5: Update us on how it's going! OnlyPaws is committed to giving life-time support and guidance for all of our adopted cats.

Update of Jamaican street cat Breadfruit in her new home

The OnlyPaws Difference: More Than Just an Adoption

Vet-Checked and Fully Cared For

All adoptable cats over 5 months old are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and ticks, dewormed, given vitamin shots and receive a full wellness check at the vet before they go into their new home.

$0 Adoption Fees 

We waive adoption fees for all street cats, instead we ask Jamaicans to use the adoption fee to get items such as food, litter box, carrier, toys, etc so you can be ready to give them a loving, caring home.

We Care Even After You Leave

Our commitment to our cats doesn't end when they leave our care. We genuinely care about the well-being of every single cat we rescue. We want to know that they are happy, safe, and loved in their new environment. This is why we ask you to share updates. Whether it's a photo of them napping in you lap or a video of them playing with their new toys, we absolutely love getting those updates. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

You’re Never Alone: Guidelines and Support

Bringing a new cat home can come with questions. "Is this behavior normal?" "What should I feed them?" "How do I introduce them to my other pets?" We are here to help! We provide you with clear guidelines on cat care to ensure a smooth transition. And if an issue pops up down the line, we are just a message away.

We Go the Extra Mile (Literally)

Our dedication to our cats is fierce. We take the responsibility of rehoming so seriously that we will go to great lengths to ensure their safety. In fact, we have had situations where a newly adopted cat has gotten scared and escaped. This has actually happened twice, and both times, we successfully tracked them down and got them back safely. We will do everything in our power to help you get your cat back if they ever go missing.

2. "Save Cats in Jamaica" Online Community by OnlyPaws Cat Rescue (Click here to Join Group)

Secondly, you can adopt a cat through OnlyPaws' online community on Whatsapp called "Save Cats in Jamaica", where we unite cat lovers, cat rescuers, volunteers, adopters and cat owners in Jamaica. The goal of this group is to create a shared space where people can talk about cats in Jamaica, share their personal rescue stories, ask for advice from other rescuers and cat owners, coordinate help and even share rescued cats or kittens up for adoption.

Join Save Cats in Jamaica Whatsapp Group

• The Process: Join the WhatsApp group using the button above and send a message that you're interested in adopting a cat along with your location.

  
  

• Considerations: While we collaborate and support this broader community, OnlyPaws Cat Rescue is only responsible for the cats listed on their website or directly in their care. In some cases, you may be responsible for spaying or neutering your new cat, which is important to prevent cat overpopulation. General guidance is available by the OnlyPaws team, but most communication happens directly between the adopter and the person offering the cat in the group.

3. Kitties of Kingston (@kittiesofkingston)

Kitties of Kingston is another incredible source to find Jamaican cats that people are trying to rehome. It’s definitely worth looking them up on social media to see the cats they currently have posted up for adoption.

• The Process: Browse their Instagram page to see the latest cats up for adoption, reach out to the contact in the description of the posts or reach out to Kitties of Kingston directly for the next steps.

  
  

• Considerations: Kitties of Kingston connects adopters with individuals rehoming cats. In some cases, you may be responsible for spaying or neutering your new cat, which is important to prevent cat overpopulation. General guidance is available, but most communication happens directly between the adopter and the person offering the cat.

4. The Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA)

The JSPCA is the most well-known animal welfare organization in the country. Cats are surrendered everyday at the shelter. With limited space and resources, only some cats, especially healthy kittens are lucky enough to be placed for adoption.

• The Process: Adopting from the JSPCA is straightforward. You visit the shelter's cattery section, choose your new fur baby, fill out a form and pay an adoption fee and they'll schedule a date for you to collect your new pet cat. All kittens or cats are spayed or neutered before you take them home.

  
  

• Considerations: The JSPCA does not provide personalized follow-up support after adoption. This means you are largely responsible for handling any challenges on your own, including behavioral issues, adjustment difficulties, or unexpected situations such as your new cat going missing.

5. Local Animal Rescues, Shelters and Vets

There are several local animal rescues and vets in Jamaica who post cats up for adoption.

• The Process: Browse their Instagram pages to see the latest cats up for adoption, reach out to them directly for the next steps.

  
  

• Considerations: Adoption processes can vary between organizations, but they are usually straightforward. Ask about spay/neuter requirements, follow-up support and any special care your cat might need.

Are You Ready To Be A Pawrent?

Adopting a cat is a beautiful journey. It’s a commitment to provide love and care for another life, and in return, you get unconditional love and endless entertainment. We encourage you to explore all the options available, but we would love to welcome you to the OnlyPaws family. Feel free to connect with us on our social media platforms. We're just a message away.

Sincerely,

OnlyPaws Cat Rescue Team.