What’s small, furry and in need of a good home? Kittens!
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the cat population in New Zealand, with the majority of these kittens being left homeless. Thankfully, New Zealand is also home to some amazing charities that have an all-paws-on-deck approach when it comes to rescuing and rehoming our feline friends.
Cats are not only a great addition to a family but also provide a myriad of health benefits from lowering stress and anxiety to reducing feelings of loneliness—our furry friends are pretty special. If you’re looking for a kitty companion then consider adopting from one of the top cat rescue centres instead of buying from a breeder.
Don’t know where to start? No worries, we’ve compiled a list of the top places to adopt a kitten or a cat in New Zealand so you can change the life of a kitty in need. NB. All centres on this list are registered charities.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Auckland
Pet Whisperer Rescue
Three Kings
If you’re Auckland based and looking to give a kitty a new home, then Pet Whisperer Rescue can certainly help you with that. They put their hearts and souls into rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming stray and abandoned cats and small animals like bunnies. A rescue centre on a mission to help Auckland become a city where every animal is treated with kindness and care—now that’s something we can certainly get behind. All of the kitties are neutered before being re-homed to reduce the number of stray animals on our streets. They’ve even got a cat welfare education program to teach and build your understanding and knowledge of cat wellbeing, to make sure your new furry friend thrives. Can you ask for much more? We think not.
Gutter Kitties
Stanmore Bay
Gutter Kitties is Auckland’s largest no-kill cat rescue, run by cat-loving volunteers who dedicate their time to rescuing timid, anxious and unsocialised felines. Doesn’t that just tug at your heartstrings? Once rescuing a cat, they’re taken to the paw pad—essentially a kitty school for unsocialised teenage and adult cats, where they’re introduced to other furry friends to help them prepare to find their fur-ever homes. This charitable trust relies entirely on donations, so even if you’re not looking for a fur-ever friend right now, you can donate to help make a difference to the lives of Auckland’s street cats. All cats and kittens will be desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and registered on the NZ Companion Animal Register prior to adoption. Oh, and you’ll also receive 30 days free pet health insurance. Paw-fect!
Hope Rescue South Auckland
Pukekohe
9 Lives Orphanage
Manurewa
Cat rescue centres like 9 Lives Orphanage make sure that cats are living their best lives—all 9 of them. Specialising in pregnant and nursing cat mums and abandoned kittens, this registered charity is ran by volunteers who are willing to go the extra mile to save as many furbabies as they can. From round-the-clock bottle feeding to late-night runs to the vets, this dedicated team will do anything to show our feline friends some much-needed love. If you need your kitten fix then check out their fun fund-raising events such as kitten cuddle days and yoga with kittens. They even host community days, where the kittens go on adventures to rest homes to mingle with the residents. That hit us right in the feels.
SPCA
Various locations
One of the best-known animal rescue centres in NZ, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)’s Auckland branch in Mangere was founded in 1883 and they alongside the other 30 centres across the country have been doing their part to encourage the humane treatment of animals and to prevent animal cruelty ever since. You can do your part by adopting a cat from them from one of their centres across the country. In fact, you can get 50% off adoption fees from all centres from now until the 2nd June. Simply browse cats on their website and let them know which you’re interested in visiting, whereby an appointment will be organised.
The New Zealand Cat Foundation
Huapai
With the belief that we have a people problem rather than a cat problem, The New Zealand Cat Foundation is on a mission to educate the community on the correct care for cats. They’ve even got a doc for you to download that explores the ins and outs of what to expect when bringing a new cat home. Once known as the ‘Pussy Palace for Pensioners’, they initially started out by looking after strays in Parnells Rose Gardens and soon it grew to a sanctuary for elderly cats who need love and care. The huge indoor and outdoor space surrounded by olive trees is the purrrfect place for the 150 cats that live there in luxury. So if you’re looking to adopt an older cat, who will be toilet-trained and independent then be sure to check it out.
Lonely Miaow
St Heliers
Cats and humans may be more alike than we think. Humans and cats have identical regions in their brains that are responsible for emotions, and a cat’s brain has a 90% similarity to that of a human. If that doesn’t make you want to adopt a feline friend then we don’t know what will. With a goal to have no more strays, Lonely Miaow, a non-profit organisation can help you on your quest to adoption. All of the cats and kittens rescued are cared for by the wonderful foster families, so if you’re not sure whether adoption is the right move just yet, you can join the foster whanau and open your hearts and homes to kitties in need of a second chance.
Paw Kitties
Mt Wellington
Paw Kitties is an organisation based out of CareVets in Mt. Wellington. They help timid cats and kittens who are sick and vulnerable find the pawfect family to adopt them. In fact, they’ve supported over 80 cats per year with this big transition. Before a cat is adopted they receive medical care and lots of love from their foster homes to prepare them for their exciting new lives. They’re also jumping on the desexing bandwagon by running ‘de-sexathons’—a mass neuter campaign operated by volunteer vets and vet nurses.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Bay Of Plenty
Wild Whiskers
Tauranga
Wild Whiskers help furbabies in Tauranga find their forever families and are changing hundreds of animals’ lives one home at a time. Their primary goal is to stop the cycle of unwanted litters by rescuing and desexing wild adult cats and educating the public on the importance of desexing. All kitties are desexed, vet-checked, microchipped and given their first injections before being adopted. Doesn’t get much better than that. Ran solely by volunteers, this community-based charity relies on donations to make their work possible. If adoption isn’t on the cards right now, you could donate some dollar or gift kitten food, cat beds, kitty litter and anything else that could help a puss in need.
Rescue, Revive, Rehome
Mt Maunganui
RRR, which stands for rescue, revive and rehome provides a safe haven for homeless and rescued animals that have had a rough start to life. They rescue cats and kittens in all shapes and sizes and pride themselves in bringing them back to health by neutering, vaccinating and treating any medical issues while throwing in lots of kitty cuddles and some well-deserved cat naps.
All Paws Count Murupara Trust
Rotorua
The volunteers and trustees who run All Paws Count Murupara Trust in Rotorua are animal people, they not only desex and rehome our four-legged friends but run responsible ownership campaigns to educate the community on caring for their pets properly. They rescue doggos and cats from difficult situations including from pounds and other shelters and work day and night to ensure that the animals in their care are well looked after and find forever homes. Browse their Facebook page, you never know there may be a cute kitty with your name written all over it.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Taupo
Animal Care Turangi
Taupo
If you’re based in Taupo and are looking for a kitty to welcome into your home then say hello to Animal Care Turangi, who can help you find your purrrfect match. Formerly the SPCA Turangi, this small rescue group is a rehoming centre for cats, kittens, dogs and pups and has helped to find loving homes for over 250 animals a year. Like a lot of charities, Animal Care survives off of donations with every dollar going towards keeping animals healthy, happy, and safe. If you need an excuse to browse cat content then take a look at their Insta account for pics of their in-house residents.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Hawkes Bay
Ree’s Wild Rescue
Napier
Not all heroes wear capes. The guys at Ree’s Wild Rescue in Napier believe that the best things in life are furry and we couldn’t agree more. They help to rehome vulnerable kittens and pups by partnering with Animates to host regular adoption days. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out when the next one is so you can meet the kitten of your dreams in real life.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Palmerston North
Manawatu Alley Cat Trust
Hokowhitu
The Manawatu Alley Cat Trust are saving stray kittens that haven’t had the best start in life. A small non-profit organisation that scouts the streets, alleyways and parks of Palmerston North city, looking to rescue and rehome as many moggies as they find. Since they do not have any facilities they rely on volunteers to take in the kittens temporarily until a permanent home can be found. So, if you’re looking for a new best fur-end, be sure to check out all the kitties available on their Facebook page. If adoption isn’t an option right now, not to worry you can volunteer, become a foster paw-rent, or donate to keep their work going.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Wellington
The Kitten Inn
Papanui, Rangiora & Tower Junction
While the kitten inn sounds like a luxury hotel for cats, it’s a charitable trust that aims to help rehome cats and kittens in the Wellington region. They provide shelter for abandoned pregnant cats and their kittens, preparing them for adoption. After being rescued the kittens head off on a little vacation to a foster family, where they learn how to be social, use the litter box and even a cheeky trick or too. So if you’re looking to expand your family by adopting a fur baby, then reach out to the Kitten Inn. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Feral Nation
Kilbirnie
Proving that anything is pawsible, Feral Nation, a foster-based cat rescue in Wellington, takes in the most ‘feral’ kitties (hence the name) and helps transform their lives, using some good old-fashioned TLC alongside hearty meals and socialisation. To help encourage adoption and raise funds to continue their amazing work, they throw fundraisers on the reg such as quiz nights and kitten and coffee sessions, where you can enjoy plenty of kitten cuddles. In fact, the next one is Wednesday 31 May. Get on it.
Forgotten Felines Foundation
Waikanae
Find your purrfect match with help from the Forgotten Felines Foundation, who has helped over 80 cats find their fur-ever homes. Founder, Mary Bossley, has heaps of knowledge and experience when it comes to the welfare of our cats and kittens, having previously been involved in animal rescue in California. She also runs a cattery in Te Horo and has a family of felines of her own—so we think it’s fair to say she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to our furry friends. As well as running her own service, she helps small rescue organisations in the Wellington Region and has built a reputation for helping get kittens out of difficult situations—she’s basically Dr Doolittle for cats.
For The Love Of Cats
Kaiwharawhara, Petone & Miramar
We don’t know about you but we love our feline friends, so it breaks our heart to hear of the high abandonment rates in our country. However, it’s rescue centres like For the Love of Cats that are putting in the grind to help make a difference. Their main goal is to provide a safe space for unwanted kittens—unfortunately, these are the most vulnerable groups with devastatingly high abandonment rates. Founder Sam is a trained vet nurse, bringing a unique perspective to her rescues, with the help of volunteers she raises them until they’re big enough and well enough for adoption. This is where you come in, browse their kittens on their Facebook Page—go on, you know you want to.
Loose Leash Cat Rescue
Khandallah
Loose Leash Cat Rescue believes that no cats deserve to be left behind and vow to rescue as many unsocialised kitties as they can. With an influx of homeless cat colonies, our furry friends need us now more than ever. Every cat deserves a home, so if you’ve got a whole lot of love to give then open your heart and your home to a kitty in need with the help of this Wellington-based charity.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Marlborough
Marlborough Four Paws
Blenheim
Owning a cat can be extremely rewarding, not only will you have a companion for life that can give you unconditional love but there are also many health benefits such as lowering stress and anxiety. Sign us up. If you’re based in the Marlborough region then the local charity, Marlborough Four Paws can help you find your new buddy. Established in 2017, their ultimate goal is to reduce animal suffering, protect local bird life and stop the spread of animal disease by preventing unwanted litters. To achieve this they rescue, desex and rehome abandoned stray cats and kittens at their dedicated rescue centre.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Christchurch
Kitty Kingdom
Papanui, Rangiora & Tower Junction
Kitty Kingdom is where cats rule and rightly so. With a no-judgment policy, humans can reach out to this Christchurch-based charity for help with the wellbeing of their cats. They’ve been rescuing and rehoming cats and kittens since 2019 and are now on a mission to decrease the cat population by desexing—they even run a community desex program, where you can desex a mother cat at no cost. Kittens brought into Kitty Kingdom will receive only the best vet care, love and attention and will also be desexed, microchipped and vaccinated before being placed into loving new homes. Who knows, it could be your home.
Best Cat Adoption Centres In Invercargill
Furever Homes
Invercargill
As their name states, this charity based in Invercargill are on a mission to help cats and dogs and other animals find their fur-ever homes. They’ve helped a variety of animals no matter their size to be rehomed including horses and sheep and even help lost pets be reunited with their owners. There’s a real community vibe on their Facebook Page, so once you adopt a cat you’ll have heaps of support. As they rely entirely on volunteers who often dip into their own pockets for funding, and don’t charge an adoption fee, if you can’t get a cat for whatever reason you could give a little financially.
Image credit: Urban List, Hope Rescue South Auckland, Lonely Miaow, All Paws Count Murupara Trust, The Kitten Inn and Marlborough Four Paws
