One of the first things cat lovers notice when they visit the land of smiles is the vast number of stray cats in Thailand.

While cats are predominantly kept indoors in most Western countries, you come across cats on almost every street here.

Thailand’s ‘soi cats’ can add to your vacation experience, greeting you with a friendly meow at every restaurant and 7-Eleven.

But you probably can’t help but wonder “why are there so many stray cats in Thailand?”

As a cat rescuer and expat living in Thailand for 4+ years, I’m sharing the truth behind the rapidly rising cat population here.

Are There Lots Of Stray Cats In Thailand?

Yes, there are many stray cats in Thailand, which are often referred to as ‘soi cats’ (‘soi’ means ‘street’ in Thai).

Exactly how many stray cats there are is impossible to know. But according to Thailand’s Livestock Development Department, the number of stray cats and dogs was estimated at 820,000 in 2017.

They also estimated that if nothing is done to curb the reproduction rates, the total will reach 2 million by 2027.

Why Are There So Many Cats In Thailand?

So, what is causing this massive influx of street cats in Thailand?

Well, there are several contributing factors.

The most significant one (in my opinion) is that sterilization is not a standard practice in Thailand like it is in many Western countries.

Many Thai people are unaware of the benefits of sterilization or are apprehensive about it due to cultural beliefs or lack of education on the topic.

The good news is that many locals are beginning to change their opinions and sterilize their pets. But unfortunately, that alone is not enough to curb the population of stray cats.

Here’s why…

Most Stray Cats Do Not Have Owners

While pet owners sterilizing their cats does help the situation, a bigger problem is that most stray cats in Thailand are unowned.

Many stray cats become ‘community cats‘ where one or more people living in the neighborhood feed them. However, while many people are happy to feed stray cats, very few are willing to pay to sterilize them.

As a result, many stray cats are well-fed yet are constantly reproducing.

There are some animal rescue organizations within Thailand that run sterilization projects. They are making a tremendous difference, but unfortunately, there are not enough organizations to meet the current population’s needs.

Many individuals, myself included, have begun sterilizing stray cats in their communities on a much smaller scale. But even this poses many challenges…

The Challenge Of Sterilizing Stray Cats In Thailand

Sterilizing stray cats in Thailand takes time, patience, and precise planning.

Before you catch any stray cat, you must find an available vet to sterilize them.

Some vets will keep them at the clinic during their recovery period for an additional cost. For male cats this is just one night but for female cats this may be up to 7 days.

But if the vet is unable to keep them at the clinic, you’ll need somewhere to keep them until they have recovered.

Once you find a vet to bring the cat to, you’ll need to ensure you can catch it, which can be challenging…

Friendly Strays Vs Feral Cats

Some stray cats in Thailand are super friendly. They happily approach you, rub against your leg, love being petted, and even try to follow you home!

Friendly strays are your typical community cats who have experienced human interaction from an early age. With these cats, after feeding them a few times, it’s pretty easy to catch them.

However, some stray cats are feral. These are the ones that did not see or interact with people during kittenhood. Their mother was typically also feral, and they were born in a hiding space where they stayed for the first month or so of their life.

When feral kittens start venturing out and encountering humans, they are already very skeptical. They also gauge how to react to situations based on their mother’s reactions.

So if the mother cat is hiding from or hissing at people, the kittens will do the same, and it quickly becomes an ingrained habit.

Needless to say, you cannot simply grab a feral cat by scruffing them and putting them in a carrier. Most of the time, they won’t come close, or they won’t allow you to touch them. And if you attempt to grab them, they will likely bite or scratch you.

How To Sterilize Feral Cats

Often, the only safe way to catch a feral cat for sterilization is to trap them. There are humane trap cages specially made for trapping feral cats.

You set the trap up and put food inside. The cat then enters to get the food and steps on a metal plate, which triggers a lever to close the trap door.

Trapping cats for sterilization takes even more planning than catching a friendly stray.

You’ll need to liaise with a vet who you can bring them to immediately. Alternatively, you’ll need somewhere safe to keep them (inside the cage) while you wait to get them to the vet.

Note that some vets are not willing to sterilize feral cats because they can be difficult to handle and sedate. However, experienced vets can inject them with anesthesia while they are inside the cage.

I also want to point out that there are varying degrees of ‘feralness.‘

With some cats who are only slightly feral, it might be possible to gain their trust enough to touch and handle them. This can also be true for young feral kittens, who are naturally a bit easier to tame than adult cats.

However, taming a feral cat can take weeks or sometimes months.

Can You Sterilize Pregnant Cats In Thailand?

This is a big NO – at least in most cases. Due to Buddhist beliefs, most Thai vets will not sterilize a pregnant cat as doing so requires them to terminate the pregnancy.

Pet euthanasia is a highly controversial topic in Thailand. The vast majority of vets will refuse to engage in any practice related to it, including abortion.

Rescue organizations and a small handful of vets understand the need to control the stray cat population and thus, may agree to do it.

If not, you’ll need to wait until she has finished nursing her kittens (usually when they are around six weeks old) before you can sterilize her.

How Quickly Can Cats Reproduce?

After giving birth, female cats can get pregnant again just a few weeks later (while still nursing). So unfortunately, there is not much of a window to sterilize them before they get pregnant again.

Considering this, sterilizing female stray cats, especially feral ones that you cannot keep inside, is highly challenging.

Many stray female cats have back-to-back pregnancies, producing 2 to 4 litters each year during their lifespan.

This means a female stray cat can birth around 12 kittens a year.

Then, around four months later, those kittens reach sexual maturity and begin reproducing themselves, starting additional cycles.

As a result, one female stray cat and her offspring can produce hundreds to thousands of cats in their lifetime!

FAQs

How Do Stray Cats In Thailand Survive?

Stray cats survive in Thailand the same way they do in other countries – by hunting! Typically, the prey for cats in Thailand includes lizards, geckos, birds, and sometimes mice.

Many kind people also feed the stray cats in Thailand. You will often see food and water bowls left out on the street or under cars for the strays in the area.

Can You Feed Stray Cats In Thailand?

Feeding stray cats in Thailand is a nice thing to do, and friendly strays will show their appreciation through sweet meows and leg nudges.

Both wet and dry cat foods are readily available in all convenience stores (including 7-Eleven) in Thailand. Refrain from feeding them human food, which could be toxic or harm their health.

While feeding stray cats is totally fine, never remove a stray cat from its location unless you are willing to permanently adopt it.

Some tourists take stray cats they find to their accommodation. Then, when they leave the country, they leave the cat outside in an unfamiliar area. This is highly distressing for the cat and often leads to fighting with territorial cats in the new location.

Can You Pet Stray Cats In Thailand?

If a stray cat in Thailand approaches you and seems friendly, you can pet them. But do so slowly to avoid startling the cat. First, let the cat sniff your fingers, then if they seem accepting, gently stroke their head.

If a stray cat flinches or runs when you reach your hand out to pet them, take the hint that they don’t want to be touched. Never forcefully grab or restrain a stray cat to pet them, as this can be super stressful for them.