Community Cat Feeding

1. Can I feed community cats in my neighborhood?

Yes! You are allowed to feed community cats in Singapore, but you must follow responsible feeding guidelines. Always feed at fixed times and locations to avoid attracting pests, and keep the area clean after feeding. For more information and guidelines on responsible feeding and caring for our community cats, please check out the AVS handbook for cat caregiving here.

2. What should I feed community cats, and what should I avoid?

Feed only proper cat food (wet or dry) and provide fresh water. Avoid giving human food, bones, or milk, as these can cause serious health problems.

3. When and where should I feed community cats to avoid causing nuisance?

Choose a quiet spot away from heavy foot traffic, playgrounds, or roads. Early mornings or evenings are best, and feeding should take no more than 30 minutes.

4. Do I need permission from the Town Council or NParks to feed cats?

No special permission is required for responsible feeding, but you must comply with the feeding guidelines set by the Town Council or NParks. Irresponsible feeding can lead to fines. Check out the AVS handbook for cat caregiving here.

5. How can I keep the feeding area clean and safe?

Bring disposable containers or washable bowls, remove leftovers after feeding, and wipe the area to prevent ants, cockroaches, or rats.

Finding Sick or Injured Cats

6. What should I do if I see a sick cat?

Rescue efforts are community-led. If the cat is approachable and you can bring the cat to the vet, get a sturdy carrier to secure the cat for the vet visit. If you cannot transport the cat to the vet, or need financial assistance, seek help from other cat caregivers in your neighbourhood. Alternatively, you can also reach out to AVS 24-hour helpline (1800-476-1600) or call SPCA (6287 5355) in case of emergency. 

If you suspect a cat is a victim of animal cruelty and abuse, including abandonment, call AVS to report the case. Please provide enough information (e.g. photos or CCTV footage) for AVS to assess and attend to the case promptly. AVS is the main contact point for animal and veterinary matters in Singapore and the First Responder for all animal-related feedback.

7. How can I tell if a cat needs urgent medical attention?

Signs include limping, open wounds, difficulty breathing, seizures, severe diarrhoea, or extreme lethargy. In these cases, act immediately and bring them to the vet near you. You can also reach out to AVS 24-hour helpline (1800-476-1600). 

8. Can I reach out to LUNI if a cat needs medical help? 

Yes, LUNI might be able to assist on a case-by-case basis. We may provide subsidies if funds allow, but rescuers are encouraged to contribute where possible. You can fill in this form if it is not an urgent medical case and the cat can wait.

9. Will LUNI cover veterinary bills for rescued cats? Suggest to replace this with the above.

LUNI assists on a case-by-case basis, prioritising emergency and welfare cases. We may provide subsidies if funds allow, but rescuers are encouraged to contribute where possible.

10. How do I safely transport a sick or injured cat to the vet?

Use a secure carrier, line it with a towel, and avoid excessive handling. For very injured cats, wear gloves and use a blanket to gently lift them.

Unsterilised Cats & TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

11. How can I tell if a cat is already sterilised?

You can tell if a cat has been sterilised if the left ear is clipped (also called an ear-tip) or the cat has an ear tattoo. This is part of the AVS Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programme. Clipping of our community cats’ ears helps caregivers and members of the public to identify cats that have already been sterilised.

As part of the TNR programme, all community cats in the TNR programme are sterilised and microchipped.

12. What should I do if I find a community cat with no clipped ear and ear tattoo?

If you spot a community cat with no clipped left ear and no ear tattoo, the cat is likely unsterilised. You can help by arranging for sterilisation.

Before taking action:

• First, check with cat caregivers in your neighbourhood to confirm the cat is indeed unsterilised.

• Find out if anyone is actively feeding the cat.

• If no one is feeding the cat, please consider doing so yourself, or connect with caregivers who can take over regular feeding.

How to get the cat sterilised:

• The main caregiver can apply to the Cat Welfare Society’s Community Sterilisation Programme. More details are available on their website here.

• You can also contact LUNI Singapore for sterilisation support if:

• The cat has a main caregiver, or

• You can commit to feeding the cat regularly.

13. Does LUNI provide help with TNR?

Yes. LUNI works with Cat Welfare Society to arrange for TNR on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us via Facebook or Instagram and one of our volunteers will get back to you. 

14. How does ear-tipping work and why is it important?

Ear-tipping is a small, painless procedure done under anaesthesia during sterilisation. It helps feeders and the public identify sterilised cats and prevents unnecessary retrapping.

15. What happens to the cat after sterilisation?

After sterilisation, the cat is returned to its original location, where it knows the surroundings and feels safe. A feeder or caregiver will continue to provide food, water, and basic care.

For community cats that are feral or well-adjusted to their environment, returning them to their familiar territory is the best option for their welfare, as it reduces stress and helps them live safely in the area they call home.

Fostering & Adoption

16. How do I apply to foster a rescued cat or kitten?

Fill out our foster application form on the LUNI website. If you are suitable and we have capacity to onboard additional fosterers, we will be in touch.

17. What does LUNI provide to fosterers?

We cover all medical bills for the cat at our approved vet clinics, subject to prior approval by our team. Fosterers are expected to provide for the cat’s daily needs, including food, fresh water, litter box and litter, probiotics, supplements, as well as enrichment items like toys and cat trees.

Please refer to our Adoption Page on our website for all the adoption and cat safety guidelines. 

18. How long is a typical foster commitment?

We ask all new fosterers to commit to at least 4 cases, as our admin team invests time to onboard and train you in LUNI’s processes. The fostering journey can vary—sometimes just a couple of weeks, other times up to a year. Our team will guide you in matching with the cats or kittens that best suit your home and lifestyle.

19. How do I adopt a cat from LUNI?

Adopting a cat won’t just change your life—it’ll change a cat’s life too! The first step is to submit an adoption enquiry form. We’ll review your application within 3–5 working days and get in touch to chat more about finding the right match for you.

20. What is included in the donation  fee?

Our minimum adoption donation is SGD180–250. This helps cover essentials such as vet visits, vaccinations for kittens, and for adult cats, sterilisation and microchipping. Every contribution goes directly towards the time, effort, and costs involved in rescuing and caring for these cats and kittens. 

If vet bills exceed the minimum donation, our team will be happy to share the details with you—we would love for you to consider contributing a little extra to help us bridge the gap.

21. Can I adopt if I live in an HDB flat?

Yes — but please refer to the AVS Cat Management Framework for more details. 

22. Do I need to mesh my home? 

Yes. Cat safety is important! Ensure that your house is cat-safe with proper meshing and close off any spaces to the outdoor environment. Keep windows and gates secured to prevent accidental escapes, especially while your cat is still settling in.

Please refer to our Cat Safety guidelines on our Adoption Page. 

General Cat Care

23. What should I feed my pet cat for a healthy diet?

We recommend a balanced diet of high-quality wet food, with dry food given in moderation, along with plenty of fresh water at all times. For specific brand suggestions, please refer to our Information for Adopters guide.

24. How often should I take my cat to the vet?

Cats should visit the vet at least once a year for a general check-up and vaccinations. Senior cats or those with existing health conditions may require more frequent visits to monitor their well-being.

25. Is it safe to let my cat roam outdoors?

No. In Singapore’s city environment, roaming outdoors puts your cat at risk of traffic accidents, injuries from other animals, abuse, fights, getting lost, or being trapped. Pet cats should be kept safely indoors or in secure enclosures, in line with AVS’ guidelines.

If you’d like your cat to enjoy the outdoors, consider harness training or building a secure “catio.” Keeping cats indoors protects them from accidents and diseases, prevents nuisance issues, and safeguards local wildlife.

27. What are the signs of common cat illnesses in Singapore?

Watch for sneezing, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, or hiding. Seek a vet’s advice if symptoms persist.

28. How can I help my cat adjust to a new home?

Moving to a new home can be stressful for cats. To help your cat adjust smoothly:

1. Set up a safe space: Start with one quiet room containing food, water, litter box, bed, and hiding spots. Let your cat explore the rest of the home gradually.

2. Keep familiar scents: Bring along your cat’s old bedding, toys, or scratching post so the new environment smells familiar.

3. Stick to a routine: Feed and play with your cat at the same timings each day to give them a sense of security.

4. Use gentle introductions: If there are other pets, introduce them slowly and under supervision.

5. Provide enrichment: Offer scratching posts, climbing shelves, and interactive play to keep your cat mentally stimulated.

6. Be patient: Some cats take days, others weeks, to feel at home. Allow them to explore at their own pace.

Note: Cat safety is important! Ensure that your house is cat-safe with proper meshing and close off any spaces to the outdoor environment. Keep windows and gates secured to prevent accidental escapes, especially while your cat is still settling in.

Please refer to our Adoption Page on our website for all the adoption and cat safety guidelines. 

About LUNI Singapore

29. What does LUNI do to improve the lives of our community cats in Singapore?

At LUNI, we focus on four main pillars to help cats live safer, healthier lives: 

1. Community Cat Feeding

2. Trap-Neuter-Return

3. Rescuing, fostering, socialising and rehoming of community cats

4. Medical care 

30. How can I volunteer with LUNI?

We’d love to have you on board! LUNI is fully volunteer-run, so every helping hand truly makes a difference. If you’re keen to get involved, just fill out our volunteer form [here]—thank you for wanting to support our cats.

31. How do I donate to support LUNI’s work? 

Thank you so much for your kindness and interest in helping! As an entirely volunteer-run cat rescue, we rely completely on donations to provide food, medical care, and safe shelter for the cats in our care. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference. To donate or learn more about ways to support us, please visit our GiveAsia page here: https://give.asia/charity/project-luni 

32. How many cats does LUNI help each year?

On average, we help hundreds of cats every year through rescue, sterilisation, and adoption. Whether it’s finding a forever home, providing medical care, or TNR efforts, we’re here to make a difference—one cat at a time.