Whether it’s adoption, protection, education or welfare, these animal shelters in Singapore do it all.
When you think about helping animals, adoption or donations will probably come to mind. But there’s a more direct way of offering your assistance. Simply head over to an animal shelter in Singapore and volunteer your services! There are many ways you can help, from more labour-intensive activities like cleaning and grooming to advocacy, public relations and even photography. Keen to lend a hand? Here’s a list of animal charities where you can pledge to better the lives of animals.
Where to volunteer at animal shelters in Singapore
1. Hamster Society Singapore
We adore the countless number of shelters dedicated to cats and dogs, but we want to spotlight this non-profit group dedicated to rescuing hamsters. Hamster Society Singapore is committed to ending the cycle of neglect and abuse of hamsters, as well as advocating for proper hamster care. If you have the space, volunteer to be part of the foster team and house abandoned hammies. There’s also the option to donate money to help with vet appointments and surgery.
Hamster Society Singapore, get in touch online
2. Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary
Established in 1999 by its late founder Lee Siew Ying, the shelter seeks to provide a safe haven for injured, abused or abandoned animals. Its name is self-explanatory: what started out as a shelter for cats is now a sanctuary for homeless cats and dogs. Since Lee’s passing in 2019, her son Terry has taken on day-to-day operations of running the shelter. Volunteers can contribute in several ways, including helping out with monthly rent, food and vet fees. You can also help find sponsors or forever homes for the cats and dogs under the shelter’s care.
Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary, get in touch online
3. Love The Voiceless
Seeking to “love, educate, and heal”, Love The Voiceless is a small animal welfare group founded by a team of four “committed animal lovers” in 2019. In 2021, it has expanded to include more volunteers, feeders, rescuers and like-minded dog lovers. Volunteers can help by spreading the word about their dogs up for adoption. The group also requires a steady stream of fosterers for rescues. Or you can contact the team to check if there are other roles they need assistance with.
Love The Voiceless, get in touch online
4. Voices For Animals
The not-for-profit charity was formed by a group of animal lovers who sought to help retired breeding dogs have a second chance in life. The team rehabilitates and subsequently rehomes these dogs. They’ve also extended their help to include other small animals such as cats and rabbits. The charity is currently run by volunteers and is funded based on the goodwill of well-wishers as well as its monthly adoption drives.
Voices for Animals, get in touch online
5. Mutts and Mittens
Mutts and Mittens sustains itself through its boarding wing, and proceeds go towards helping animals in need, as well as maintaining the kennels. Having cared for countless rescues, the charity is always open to volunteer help. Show some love to the canines and felines by being a buddy to them until they find their new forever home.
Mutts and Mittens, multiple locations including Upper Serangoon Road and Joo Chiat
6. Cat Welfare Society
If you’re a cat lover, you’ll know this amazing charity. It promotes humane, responsible and informed actions towards domestic and community felines through various campaigns. Cat Welfare Society is helmed by a team of volunteers who manage the organisation in their free time. They’re always on the lookout for more volunteers to lend a hand, so if you’d like to get involved, check them out. Roles include community cat caregivers, administrative coordinators and fundraising management.
Cat Welfare Society, get in touch online
7. Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD)
Established by a group of animal lovers, SOSD rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes stray dogs in Singapore. The non-profit animal charity also makes an effort to educate the public about canines and advocates against the culling of these homeless animals. You can help out by volunteering at the animal shelter, fostering a doggo or donating.
Save Our Street Dogs, get in touch online
8. Love Kuching Project
This community-based cat rescue group has a strong following on social media and is very passionate about its felines. Its main focus is on rehabilitating stray cats that are injured or critically ill. Besides vet care, it also offers adoption opportunities for cats to find their forever home and runs educational initiatives. Volunteers can help out with everything from rescue and outreach to fundraising and foster care. Do check with them to see if positions are open!
Love Kuching Project, get in touch online
9. Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)
Giving stray and abandoned dogs a second chance at life, ASD is always in need of volunteers to help with various activities and tasks like walking the dogs, cleaning their living areas and grooming them. You can assist with rescuing and rehoming, fostering and fundraising, or logistics and transport.
Action for Singapore Dogs, 80 Lim Chu Kang Lane 1, Singapore 718911
10. Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)
Here’s an animal protection organisation driven by its concern for the better treatment of animals. Its focus areas include tackling the wildlife trade, rescue and rehabilitation, community outreach, education and raising awareness about animal welfare. Go on a rescue mission to save wild animals, donate, or look after daily tasks to ensure rescued animals are happy and healthy. From birds and monkeys to sugar gliders and snakes, Acres aims to leave no animal behind.
Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, 91 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698917
11. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Arguably the most prominent animal welfare charity and adoption centre in Singapore, SPCA cares for countless stray animals. Wanna help? Adopt, don’t shop. You can also chip in with funds, volunteer your time and skills, and make a cruelty report to the 24/7 emergency rescue hotline if you spot something not quite right. SPCA’s services include rehoming, welfare investigations, animal rescues, clinic treatments and more.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 50 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699012
12. House Rabbit Society Singapore (HRSS)
Yes, rabbits! Every year, plenty of rabbits are abandoned at shelters or released outdoors in Singapore. At this non-profit, volunteers help to educate people about the responsibilities of owning a pet rabbit, lend a hand at talks and fundraisers, and care for rescued rabbits.
House Rabbit Society Singapore, get in touch online
13. Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS)
This charity and non-profit dog shelter has been operating since 2006, helping to rescue stray mongrels and stop them from being culled. If you’d like to do your part to help, consider adopting a dog to give it a new chance at happiness. Since the place is mostly managed by volunteers, you can assist them by rehabilitating, bathing and walking the canines. Roles like education and outreach or PR and media are available too.
Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter, get in touch online
14. Causes for Animals Singapore (CAS)
This charity was set up to support homeless and unwanted animals in Singapore. It also promotes community responsibilities while working with organisations to raise awareness of animal welfare issues. All sorts of volunteers are welcome here. From photographers and education specialists to event helpers and adoption assistants, you can pick a role that fits your skills.
Causes for Animals Singapore, get in touch online
15. Animal Lovers League
A registered no-kill shelter, Animal Lovers League is one of the biggest and longest-running animal shelters in Singapore. It has rescued over 500 cats and dogs and constantly relies on the public’s support to keep the charity running. Ways you can help include giving financially, donating food for the canines and felines, and taking care of the animals.
Animal Lovers League, #01-29, Block Q, The Animal Lodge, 59 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699014
16. Hope Dog Rescue
Armed with a belief that all animals should be treated with love and respect, the Singapore-based animal welfare group helps animals who are abused, neglected and abandoned. The group is run entirely by a team of volunteer animal rescuers, and it doesn’t operate out of a physical shelter or an office. Volunteers can help with several duties including accompanying rescue dogs to and from their visits to the vet, feeding strays under the group’s care, cooking for rescue dogs, writing blog or Facebook posts, as well as conducting awareness and outreach activities through events or fundraising.
Hope Dog Rescue, get in touch online
How about showing some love for these animal shelters in Singapore?
