10 Best Shelters for Cat Adoption in Johannesburg & Gauteng

• Must complete a detailed adoption application form.
• A formal home relocation & safety check is conducted to ensure the environment is “kitten-proof” & secure (indoor-only homes or properties with secure outdoor enclosures).
• Must provide valid proof of identity & residence.
• Final adoption is approved only when the team is satisfied with the kitten’s compatibility with the household.

• Every kitten is vet-checked, dewormed, & treated for ticks & fleas upon arrival at the sanctuary.
• All rescues receive age-appropriate vaccinations, & FIV/FeLV testing is performed to ensure health transparency.
• Sterilisation is mandatory; if a kitten is too young at the time of adoption, a sterilisation contract or voucher is included to ensure the procedure is completed at the appropriate age.

• Kittens (Under 4 months): R1,000
• Fee includes:
  • Microchip
  • Vaccinations (including rabies) up to date of adoption
  • Deworming
  • Tick/flea treatment
  • Feline AIDS/Leukaemia testing
  • Note: Sterilisation is done at 4/5 months at an additional cost of R550 if using the rescue’s vet.
• Teen Cats (Older than 5 months): R1,200
• Fee includes:
  • Microchip 
  • Vaccinations/rabies up to date
  • Deworming
  • Tick/flea treatment
  • Feline AIDS/Leukaemia testing
  • Sterilisation
• Adult Cats: R1,000
• Fee includes: 
  • Microchip
  • Vaccinations/rabies up to date
  • De-worming
  • Tick/flea treatment 
  • Feline AIDS/Leukaemia testing
  • Sterilisation

Booking Deposit: A non-refundable deposit equal to half the adoption fee is required to book a chosen kitten.

• Kitty Kazz Hotel: The sanctuary offers professional, affordable cat boarding for cats of all ages.
• Kitten Parties & School Visits: The sanctuary hosts educational events to teach children about responsible pet ownership & cat safety.
• Community Outreach: Kitty Kazz promotes the importance of sterilisation & provides a support network for new adopters.
• Public Support: The sanctuary welcomes donations for medical care, food & shelter, as well as volunteer assistance to support their daily operations.

• Browse the cats & kittens available for adoption at the shelter or on the Wetnose website.
• Complete an adoption application form & provide a copy of your ID or driver’s licence.
• A pre-adoption property inspection is required to ensure a safe & secure environment.
• If you rent or live in a complex, written permission from your landlord or body corporate is required.
• Wetnose recommends bringing your existing pets along when visiting, to check compatibility before finalising the adoption.

• All cats are sterilised, vaccinated, dewormed & microchipped before adoption.
• Cats over two months of age are tested for FeLV & FIV to ensure health transparency.
• If a kitten is too young to be sterilised, a sterilisation voucher is issued for the procedure to be completed at the Wetnose clinic at the appropriate age.
• Every animal receives a full health check by the on-site veterinary team before being cleared for their new home.

• Wetnose does not publicly list cat-specific adoption fees on its website. Prospective adopters are encouraged to contact the shelter directly for the most up-to-date pricing.
• All adoption fees include sterilisation, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping & FeLV/FIV testing (for cats over two months of age).

• On-Site Animal Clinic: Wetnose provides affordable veterinary care for community pets, with all proceeds going directly back into the care of shelter animals.
• Equestrian Centre: The centre rescues & rehabilitates horses, donkeys & other farm animals in need.
• Kennel Sponsorships: Supporters can sponsor a specific kennel or enclosure on a monthly basis to help cover feeding, care & medical costs.
• Volunteering & Events: Wetnose welcomes volunteers to walk dogs, socialise with cats & assist with daily operations. The facility also hosts kiddies’ parties & community events to raise awareness for animal welfare.

• Visit the shelter at 59 Alice Street or browse available animals online to find your ideal companion.
• The AACL operates on a “first-come, first-served” basis once property checks are complete.
• Prospective adopters must provide a copy of their ID, proof of residence & proof that pets are allowed (a letter from a landlord or body corporate if renting).
• A property inspection is conducted to ensure secure fencing, adequate space, shelter & safe living conditions.
• Approval is valid for 3 to 12 months, depending on circumstances, allowing adopters to return & complete the paperwork when ready.

• Each adopted cat receives at least one vaccination & a rabies shot (if over 4 months of age).
• Animals are sterilised before or shortly after adoption; kittens too young for the procedure are returned to the AACL at six months for sterilisation (certain conditions apply).
• All pets are microchipped via Identipet & provided with an identity disc.
• The AACL includes 3 weeks of free veterinary treatment for any post-adoption health concerns.

• Cats & Kittens: R810
• Fee includes: 
  • One vaccination
  • Rabies vaccination (if applicable)
  • Sterilisation
  • Identipet microchip
  • Identity disc & one year of free AACL membership.
  • Property inspection fees (non-refundable):
    • R88 for properties within 0 to 40 km of Johannesburg.
    • R125 for properties 41 to 80 km away.
    • Properties further than 80 km are quoted individually.
  • Additional vaccination or rabies boosters may cost R15 to R50.

• Welfare Hospital & Mobile Clinics: The AACL provides veterinary care for lower-income communities & visits underprivileged areas with fully equipped mobile clinics.
• Animal Cruelty Investigations: The league’s dedicated inspectorate investigates suspected animal neglect & cruelty, with trained inspectors on call to take appropriate action.
• Education Programmes: The AACL addresses schools & clubs on responsible pet ownership & animal welfare, reaching thousands of learners annually.
• Public Support: The organisation welcomes donations, sponsorships & bequests to continue their lifesaving work. All cash donations are tax-deductible.

• Visit the shelter or browse the available animals on the Sandton SPCA website, then contact the shelter by phone or email to express your interest.
• Submit an adoption application with the necessary paperwork, including an ID copy, proof of residence & a letter of authorisation from your landlord or body corporate (if applicable).
• A home inspection is arranged by the SPCA to ensure your property is safe & suitable for the animal.
• Once approved, pay the adoption fee & collect your new pet. All animals are sterilised, vaccinated & microchipped before going home.

• Every cat adopted from the Sandton SPCA receives core vaccinations, deworming & sterilisation as standard.
• All cats are microchipped before being rehomed.
• Cats are tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) as part of the adoption process.
• The shelter operates a welfare veterinary clinic that serves community members who cannot afford private vet care.

• Dogs & Cats: R1,200 (fixed fee, regardless of age or size)
• Fee includes: 
  • Sterilisation
  • Core vaccinations
  • Deworming
  • A microchip
  • An FIV test (for cats)
  • Prospective adopters are encouraged to contact the shelter directly for the most current pricing, as fees may change.

• Veterinary Clinic: The Sandton SPCA operates an affordable welfare clinic offering vaccinations, sterilisations, microchipping & general veterinary care for the public.
• Animal Protection: The SPCA’s team of inspectors investigates cruelty reports, conducts home inspections (pre-&-post-adoption) & carries out pet shop checks.
• Education Programmes: The shelter provides animal welfare education & community engagement opportunities.
• Sterilisation Drives: The Sandton SPCA runs targeted sterilisation campaigns to reduce the number of homeless animals in the community.
• Charity Shop: The organisation operates a charity shop, bookshop & a Book Nook at Morning Glen Mall, which has collectively raised nearly R7 million to support the shelter’s animals since opening in 2017.
• Public Support: The Sandton SPCA welcomes donations, volunteers & memberships. The shelter also hosts fundraising events throughout the year.

• Browse the animals available for adoption on the 4Paws website or visit the shelter in person to meet the cats & dogs in their care.
• Complete an adoption application form online or at the shelter. Most animals have come from seriously disadvantaged backgrounds & have undergone rehabilitation & socialisation before being made available for adoption.
• A home check is conducted to ensure the environment is safe & suitable for the animal.
• Once approved, pay the adoption fee & collect your new pet. The adoption fee covers the necessary veterinary care carried out before adoption.

• All animals are sterilised & receive their first vaccinations & deworming before being rehomed.
• Animals rescued from informal settlements often require extensive veterinary treatment for injuries & diseases, which the shelter provides before clearing them for adoption.
• Due to their rescue backgrounds, 4Paws advises that testing for feline leukaemia & feline AIDS may be recommended, as these conditions can sometimes lie dormant & be triggered by a change of environment.

• Adult Cats: R900
• Kittens: R1,000 to R1,300 (depending on the number of vaccinations received)
• Fees include: 
  • The first vaccinations
  • Sterilisation
  • Deworming
  • Prospective adopters are encouraged to contact the shelter directly for the most current pricing, as fees may vary.

• Squatter Camp Outreach: 4Paws provides free dipping, deworming, vaccinations, sterilisations & veterinary treatment to animals in informal settlements. The team also educates pet owners about proper animal care & confiscates animals where intentional cruelty occurs.
• Feral Cat Programme: The shelter runs trap, sterilise & release (TNR) programmes for feral cat colonies. 4Paws also traps & tames feral kittens for rehoming where possible.
• Wish List: The shelter maintains a public wish list of items needed for the animals, including food, blankets, tick & flea treatment & cleaning supplies.
• Volunteering: 4Paws welcomes volunteers to help with animal care, rehabilitation & socialisation at the shelter.
• Public Support: The organisation welcomes monetary & in-kind donations, all of which go directly to the care of the animals. 4Paws is able to provide tax certificates for donations.