How to Adopt a Rescue Pet in Cambodia
Cambodia has thousands of stray dogs and cats, and several excellent rescue organizations work to rehome them. Adopting a rescue pet is rewarding and far cheaper than buying — here's how.
How do I Adopt a Rescue Pet in Cambodia?
Contact Animal Mama, PPAWS, or Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society. Adoption fees: $30-80 (includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip). Process takes 1-3 weeks including a home check. Puppies/kittens and adult animals available year-round.
Contact a rescue organization
Animal Mama (Phnom Penh): largest rescue, excellent care standards. PPAWS (Phnom Penh): long-established dog rescue. SCAO (Siem Reap): Siem Reap-based cat and dog rescue. Browse available animals on their Facebook pages or websites.
Visit and choose your pet
Schedule a visit to the shelter. Spend time with animals — staff can match you with the right temperament for your lifestyle. Consider an adult dog/cat: they're calmer, trained, and harder to rehome than puppies/kittens.
💡 Ask about the animal's history, health, and behavior. Shelter staff know each animal's personality.
Complete the application and home check
Fill out an adoption application (lifestyle, housing, experience). The organization may visit your home to ensure it's suitable (secure balcony, safe from traffic, adequate space). This is standard and protects the animals.
Pay the adoption fee
Fees cover: spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations (rabies, DHPP/FVRCP), deworming, microchip, and health check. This represents a fraction of what the rescue spent on the animal's care. Fees: $30-80 depending on the organization.
Take your pet home and follow up
You'll receive vaccination records and a microchip certificate. Most rescues do a follow-up check at 1-2 weeks. Continue with regular vet visits, heartworm prevention (essential in Cambodia), and annual boosters.
💰 Costs
| Adoption fee (dog) | $50-80 |
| Adoption fee (cat) | $30-50 |
| Monthly food (dog, medium) | $20-40 |
| Monthly food (cat) | $10-20 |
| Annual vaccinations | $15-30 |
| Monthly heartworm prevention | $5-10 |
| Vet checkup | $10-25 |
💡 Tips
- • Adult dogs are often already house-trained and calmer — consider adopting one over a puppy.
- • Ensure your landlord allows pets BEFORE adopting — get written permission.
- • Heartworm prevention is essential year-round in Cambodia (tropical mosquitoes).
- • Join Facebook group "Pet Lovers in Phnom Penh" for advice, pet-sitting swaps, and vet recommendations.
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