Cat and dog lovers of the world take note: Siem Reap Pagoda Cats is better than any cat café you could ever visit!
More than 30 cats and 8 dogs live with monks at this one particular Pagoda, and they would love for you to visit and pet them (the cats and dogs, not the monks, you are not allowed to pet the monks).
These cats and dogs crave attention, they want you to stroke them, pick them up and give them a cuddle. You could have five cats and three dogs around you, all begging to be next in line for your attention. As an animal lover, who doesn’t want that?
All animals are unwanted and were brought to the monks to look after. An unexpected litter, high medical fees, or stray animals found in the street are just a few of the reasons people take cats and dogs to pagodas in Cambodia.
If you want the most heart-warming, natural animal encounter when you visit Cambodia, a visit to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats is a must!
More than 30 cats and 8 dogs live with monks at this one particular Pagoda, and they would love for you to visit and pet them (the cats and dogs, not the monks, you are not allowed to pet the monks).
These cats and dogs crave attention, they want you to stroke them, pick them up and give them a cuddle. You could have five cats and three dogs around you, all begging to be next in line for your attention. As an animal lover, who doesn’t want that?
All animals are unwanted and were brought to the monks to look after. An unexpected litter, high medical fees, or stray animals found in the street are just a few of the reasons people take cats and dogs to pagodas in Cambodia.
If you want the most heart-warming, natural animal encounter when you visit Cambodia, a visit to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats is a must!
The cats and dogs that live with the monks at Siem Reap Pagoda Cats
The cats and dogs which live here
When walking around pagodas and temples throughout Cambodia or Thailand, you will undoubtedly have seen cats and dogs roaming freely. Pagodas are a natural place for locals to take cats and dogs when they are unwanted, found as strays, or there is a medical condition that they cannot afford to pay.
What makes this particular pagoda so special, is that they are lovingly cared for by a cat crazy Belgian lady named Josette. Together with the monks, Josette feeds all the stray animals and does her best to treat them medically.
When walking around pagodas and temples throughout Cambodia or Thailand, you will undoubtedly have seen cats and dogs roaming freely. Pagodas are a natural place for locals to take cats and dogs when they are unwanted, found as strays, or there is a medical condition that they cannot afford to pay.
What makes this particular pagoda so special, is that they are lovingly cared for by a cat crazy Belgian lady named Josette. Together with the monks, Josette feeds all the stray animals and does her best to treat them medically.
Josette and one of the Monks who helps look after the cats
The monks can only feed the animals with steamed rice and leftovers, so Josette buys a mixture of wet and dry food to ensure all the fur babies are given a balanced diet with the correct nutrients. It’s a charitable organisation surviving solely on donations from the public. To feed the animals that are here costs around $250 a month, not including medical treatment.
Siem Reap Pagoda Cats started six years ago when a newly retired Josette was travelling around Cambodia and Siem Reap. She visited a pagoda, met all the cats and it escalated from there. Within six months of setting up her Facebook Page, she had her first vet on board to spay a female which was carried out at Josette’s home. She often cares for cats recovering from operations at her house where she can keep an eye on their progress.
Siem Reap Pagoda Cats started six years ago when a newly retired Josette was travelling around Cambodia and Siem Reap. She visited a pagoda, met all the cats and it escalated from there. Within six months of setting up her Facebook Page, she had her first vet on board to spay a female which was carried out at Josette’s home. She often cares for cats recovering from operations at her house where she can keep an eye on their progress.
She is well known around Siem Reap. When Laura, the other volunteer lady was buying cat food, she was asked “Are you going to see Josette”.
Josette has dedicated her life to helping our furry friends. To learn more about Josette, the work she carries out for these beloved animals and how you can help, visit the Siem Reap Pagoda Cats website.
Our visit to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats
We arrived a little before 8.30am and straight away kitties and dogs started to approach us. It was food time, and they were huuuuuuungry.
Josette has dedicated her life to helping our furry friends. To learn more about Josette, the work she carries out for these beloved animals and how you can help, visit the Siem Reap Pagoda Cats website.
Our visit to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats
We arrived a little before 8.30am and straight away kitties and dogs started to approach us. It was food time, and they were huuuuuuungry.
One little kitten sat at my feet and looked up with its adorable little eyes, I couldn’t resist and had to pick him up for a cuddle. He absolutely loved it. He nuzzled into me, settled himself down and purred away to his heart’s content. It was heart-warming, and it melted me.
More cats began approaching, they were in and around our feet like cats do, we had to watch our step so we wouldn’t trip over them. Then the dogs wanted a piece of the action. Adorable, just adorable.
Josette arrived and immediately all her fur babies knew who she was. It was like watching the Pied Piper, and all cats and dogs ran over to her.
More cats began approaching, they were in and around our feet like cats do, we had to watch our step so we wouldn’t trip over them. Then the dogs wanted a piece of the action. Adorable, just adorable.
Josette arrived and immediately all her fur babies knew who she was. It was like watching the Pied Piper, and all cats and dogs ran over to her.
Cats and dogs desperately want you to pet them
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Cats and dogs live and feed in harmony
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It was food time!
One of the Monks put some steamed rice and vegetables down, and Josette laid out bowls of dried food. All the animals congregated together eating from the same bowls. No arguing, all sharing, it was as if they all knew they were each other’s only family.
One of the Monks put some steamed rice and vegetables down, and Josette laid out bowls of dried food. All the animals congregated together eating from the same bowls. No arguing, all sharing, it was as if they all knew they were each other’s only family.
It's food time for the animals
The cats seem to group together in their colours for feeding time
Queen Elizabeth - the first cat to start feeding up high, away from the other cats
Fresh water is provided daily, this is extremely important for kittens to minimise diarrhoea. You cannot drink the tap water in Cambodia.
Cats and dogs are given fresh water daily
No one knows the history of the cats that are brought here, and this adorable cat seems to have mummy issues. She will look at you in such an adoring manner, begging to be cuddled, and as soon as you hold her, she begins suckling on your neck, continuing to do so for as long as you hold her. If she sits on your lap, she will climb up your body purely to suckle on your neck.
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Can you see this kitty suckling on Laura's neck?
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All the cats here have been spayed or neutered, and are marked with a tattoo in their ear to show they have been “done”. New cats are brought here all the time needing medical attention in some way.
There are a few vets who help; a Khmer vet who spays and neuters, Dr Trish is a surgeon from New Zealand, and there a couple of other vets who help out from time to time. We saw for ourselves a few examples of animals needing medical assistance and how their lives have been saved; an old female dog who would have died if it wasn’t for an operation, and a healthy young cat named Sister whose eyesight was saved by Dr Trish in April after she had a severe eye infection.
There are a few vets who help; a Khmer vet who spays and neuters, Dr Trish is a surgeon from New Zealand, and there a couple of other vets who help out from time to time. We saw for ourselves a few examples of animals needing medical assistance and how their lives have been saved; an old female dog who would have died if it wasn’t for an operation, and a healthy young cat named Sister whose eyesight was saved by Dr Trish in April after she had a severe eye infection.
Dr Trish operated on this cat named Sister, she had a severe eye infection and would have gone blind
After feeding time, Josette checked the new born kittens which are kept in a cage away from the other cats. They will stay here until they are three months old when they will be bigger, stronger, and out of the “danger zone”. They will be spayed/neutered, and allowed to roam free with the other cats.
Josette lifted the kittens bottoms to check all is healthy, the first sign of diarrhoea and sickness is the bottom. She said if you would have told her six years ago she would be looking at cats bottoms in Cambodia on a daily basis, she wouldn’t have believed you.
Josette lifted the kittens bottoms to check all is healthy, the first sign of diarrhoea and sickness is the bottom. She said if you would have told her six years ago she would be looking at cats bottoms in Cambodia on a daily basis, she wouldn’t have believed you.
Kittens are kept away from the other cats until they are bigger and stronger (and been spayed/neutered!)
She isn’t a vet, Josette is just a loving, caring cat lover who is self-taught to provide very basic treatment. She washes their eyes if they are gunky and administers eye drops if needed, as well as other basic tasks. If any further treatment is needed she will take them to one of the vets.
Josette cleaned this kitties eyes when we were here, then gave her some eye drops
There were more treats in store for the animals, the doggies were given some cake! All of them sat patiently and obediently waiting to be given their little nibble, gently taking it from the monk’s hand.
It's treat time for the doggies
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The dogs all take the treats gently from the Monk's hand
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We spent about an hour with the cats and dogs. Josette, the cats and dogs appreciated the time we were able to spend giving love and attention to the needy animals. They are all very loving, all very gentle and all desperate for people like you and me to pet them. Josette does what she can, and although we believe she is Superwoman, she only has one pair of hands and there are only 24 hours in one day.
This kitty had the loudest meow, but was loving all the petting and cuddles
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After food time, it's cleaning time
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I am one cat crazy lady!
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I volunteered at Gili Air Cat Clinic when I lived on the island, so I know how many cat crazy people there are who want to help. I have met others like Josette and I admire their hard work and dedication. Josette’s reward is seeing the cats fed, healthy and happy, but the difference she is making to all of these animals is life-changing.
To follow the amazing work carried out by Josette, like her Facebook Page. Each cat has their own file so you can follow their progress.
To follow the amazing work carried out by Josette, like her Facebook Page. Each cat has their own file so you can follow their progress.
Volunteers with one of the helpful Monks
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Four cat-crazy people
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I want to visit Siem Reap Pagoda Cats, how do I arrange this?
The location of the Pagoda isn’t publicised, as there are already too many cats for Josette and the monks to look after.
If you wish to arrange to visit, contact Josette via her Facebook Page. She will respond within an hour or two. She has a dedicated driver that will pick you up from your accommodation, you can buy cat food on the way if you haven’t already purchased some, he will wait around then take you back to your accommodation. The cost is $10.
Where can you buy cat and dog food in Siem Reap?
Lucky Mall, Angkor Market (1st floor) or Angkor Vet Clinic near Kandal are all places you can purchase pet food to take with you on your visit.
I’m visiting from overseas, can I bring anything with me?
Yes there is so much you can bring that will be extremely helpful. Medication: Flea and tick prevention such as Frontline Plus for Cats- Advantage, and treatment against parasitic worms such as Drontal or the equivalent. These can be purchased easily from any veterinary surgery or supermarket in your home country.
If you have old towels, tea towels, soft bedding that you wish to donate, all will be gratefully received.
For visiting veterinarians, the following medication is most welcome:
How can I make a donation to this worthy cause?
This charitable organisation runs solely on donations, and sponsorship from local businesses. Josette pays for everything so any donation will help. They can be made via Western Union or bank transfer. Contact j.vanneur@gmail.com for details. After meeting Josette, I know all the money she receives goes directly to supporting the cats and dogs at the pagoda. Here is an example of how your money will be spent:
Feeding:
Medical care:
Have you been to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats? If you are a cat or dog lover, please like her Facebook Page to show your support and spread the word!
The location of the Pagoda isn’t publicised, as there are already too many cats for Josette and the monks to look after.
If you wish to arrange to visit, contact Josette via her Facebook Page. She will respond within an hour or two. She has a dedicated driver that will pick you up from your accommodation, you can buy cat food on the way if you haven’t already purchased some, he will wait around then take you back to your accommodation. The cost is $10.
Where can you buy cat and dog food in Siem Reap?
Lucky Mall, Angkor Market (1st floor) or Angkor Vet Clinic near Kandal are all places you can purchase pet food to take with you on your visit.
I’m visiting from overseas, can I bring anything with me?
Yes there is so much you can bring that will be extremely helpful. Medication: Flea and tick prevention such as Frontline Plus for Cats- Advantage, and treatment against parasitic worms such as Drontal or the equivalent. These can be purchased easily from any veterinary surgery or supermarket in your home country.
If you have old towels, tea towels, soft bedding that you wish to donate, all will be gratefully received.
For visiting veterinarians, the following medication is most welcome:
- Xylazine
- Suture material (catgut, 0 and 2-0 size, individual packs)
- Skin suture and surgical suturing needles (cutting edge)
- Sterile drapes (disposable)
- Zoletil
- Yohimbine or Atipamezole
- Antisedan
How can I make a donation to this worthy cause?
This charitable organisation runs solely on donations, and sponsorship from local businesses. Josette pays for everything so any donation will help. They can be made via Western Union or bank transfer. Contact j.vanneur@gmail.com for details. After meeting Josette, I know all the money she receives goes directly to supporting the cats and dogs at the pagoda. Here is an example of how your money will be spent:
Feeding:
- $5 is all that is needed to feed all the pagoda cats with dry and wet food for a single day
- $10 will provide a week-long supply of wet food (pouches) for all our kittens
- $25 will buy a large bag of cat dry food (biscuits) to feed to all the pagoda cats for two weeks
- $30 will fill the furry belly of all the pagoda cats with dry and wet food for one full week
- $140 will ensure that all the pagoda cats are being fed for a whole month, seven days a week, with dry and wet food!
Medical care:
- $10 will cover daily treatments for small ailments (eye and ear infections, small wounds) for two weeks
- $30 will supply three months of treatment against fleas and ticks for one of our cats (Frontline Plus for Cats)
- $45 will allow basic vaccination, including rabies shot, for one pagoda cat
- $50 will cover the surgical sterilization of a male cat (neutering)
- $125 will cover the surgical sterilization of a female cat (spaying)
Have you been to Siem Reap Pagoda Cats? If you are a cat or dog lover, please like her Facebook Page to show your support and spread the word!
If you are travelling around Cambodia and Asia, we recommend you check bus, boat and train schedules ahead of time with 12Go Asia website. You can also book your tickets in advance online (as we did) to save time and hassle.
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Need more advice? The Lonely Planet books have always been my first point of reference! Alternatively, other people prefer the style of The Rough Guide - take your pick!
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