For Shanghai's stray animals in need, rescue and adoption communities serve as vital havens. These communities unite compassionate individuals to shelter, care for, and find permanent, loving homes for pets. If you're ready to welcome a new family member or support their mission, here are some communities to consider.

 

Shanghai Adoption Day

Shanghai Adoption Day is a local non-profit platform dedicated to finding homes for homeless pets. The platform regularly hosts adoption and pet care events, rescuing animals and giving them a fresh start. 

Adoption is free, and most pets are vaccinated. Prospective adopters undergo a thorough screening process to ensure every animal is placed in a caring home.

Stay updated on their work through their official WeChat account "shanghailingyangri" or their mini-program "领宠宠" which provides information on stray and lost animals.

 

TA Shanghai

TA Shanghai is a rescue platform that gives stray animals a second chance. It was founded in 2011 by Chris Lau, a Malaysian Chinese who has lived in Shanghai for over two decades.

The NGO provides temporary shelter for animals awaiting adoption, and offers a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program that treats stray animals through sterilization. 

TA Shanghai also partners with fashion brands and celebrities to promote a harmonious coexistence between people and animals, and regularly hosts adoption events in city malls.

WeChat account: TA-Shanghai

 

Shanghai Adoption Home

Guided by a "Rescue, Heal, Rehome" philosophy, the Shanghai Adoption Home has rescued more than 5,000 stray animals over the past 16 years. The organization regularly hosts adoption events in shopping centers and other venues. 

WeChat account: RHR_ShangHai

 

Cat Island 

Situated in a repurposed kindergarten in Shanghai's suburban Baoshan district, Cat Island is the city's first community management and education base for stray cats. Cat Island follows the TNR model to humanely manage stray cat populations.

Volunteers, together with community helpers, capture stray cats, perform neutering surgeries, and either release them back to the community or shelter them at the facility.

Beyond providing a haven for cats, Cat Island is dedicated to raising public awareness about the scientific management of stray cats. In its education center, visitors can learn about community governance of stray cats, the TNR model, and responsible pet care practices.

WeChat account: alachongpingtai 

If you go

Address: No 62, Shengzhai village, Gucun town, Baoshan district

 

Best Friends City

Best Friends City is a bilingual non-profit organization that is dedicated to assisting and re-homing stray animals.

The organization was founded in 2013 by a group of like-minded Chinese and foreign volunteers.

Its goal is to provide a one-stop pet adoption solution and to assist animal rescue groups in Shanghai in sharing information and promoting adoption among the public.

Best Friends doesn't ask for monetary donations and is completely run by volunteers.

WeChat account: BFC_520

 

ECNU Sunshine Animal Protection Society

Sunshine Animal Protection is an animal rescue society founded by students at East China Normal University. Within the confines of the campus, diligent students orchestrate all operations and protective measures.

Volunteers feed animals regularly and take them to clinics for neutering. After ensuring their health, the students post photos and other information about the animals on the official account in the hope of finding homes for them.

WeChat account: yangguangdongbao

Updated on Jan 13, 2026 

 

Sources: The official WeChat and Weibo accounts of the above-mentioned animal adoption platforms