Street cats are intelligent and agile, and some are very wary that it is difficult to approach them, let alone capture them and bring them into the clinic for a scheduled slot for desexing. It would be extremely challenging for the SPCA alone, with our own resources, to cover and capture street cats across the entire Hong Kong. Therefore, the carer network and public donations are essential.
Over 1,800 cat lovers (as of 2025) across Hong Kong have become CCCP Registered Volunteer Carers. They commit time and money to monitor and take care of the cat colonies, waiting until the cats finish eating before clearing up the leftovers – literally a labour of love. This bond enables them to successfully trap these cats before transporting them to SPCA centres for desexing. The carers return the following day to collect the cats and release them back into their colonies, monitoring their well-being.
Supported by the funds raised, we run free desexing clinics exclusively for CCCP street cats. When the animals are brought in for surgery and anesthetised, our vets also provide a health check and give preventative treatments e.g. deworming, combination and Rabies vaccinations, ear mite and flea treatment. The cats are also implanted with a microchip. Abandoned, friendly kittens and adults are identified and placed in our adoption programme. Those deemed not suitable for a life of domestication are returned to their colonies to continue their lives under the watchful eye of their registered carers. The SPCA also humanely euthanises cats suffering from serious illnesses or severe injuries, who cannot be safely returned to a life on the streets.
Apart from medical personnel, the main administrative tasks of the programme are undertaken by a support team who manage an average of 650 calls and messages each month, along with attending to emails and letters on topics ranging from carer applications, enquiries, requests for assistance, media requests and public complaints.
The team compiles reports, supports research projects and often gives presentations regarding the CCCP both locally and internationally.
Each month the team manages a busy schedule interviewing carers, carrying out site visits, investigating complaints and arranging humane cat trapping events as and when needed, often in special locations such as the restricted area around the border, prisons and other facilities. The team also runs educational outreach and meets with District Councilors, village representatives and other stakeholders to build support for the CCCP.
As of 2025, the CCCP has more than 1,298 active registered carers and has desexed over 86,000 cats since the programme started, with approximately 200 to 300 cats desexed each month in 2025 . Formore data showcasing the programme, visit “Cat Colony Care Programme”.
In Hong Kong, street cats can be found both in rural areas and in the city. Our “Cat Colony Care Programme” team plays a vital role in lobbying and promoting public participation among a wide range of stakeholders. This achievement has not come easily. Without the team’s years of dedicated effort, the understanding and support from stakeholders, and generous donations from the public, it would have been difficult for us to sustain this programme for over two and a half decades.
We are deeply grateful for the support from everyone involved. The SPCA continues to actively promote the importance of managing cat populations and the necessity of sterilisation to other sectors — including the public and the business communities — in order to strengthen its carers network and programme, by calling for support to the CCCP to benefit more street cats.
On another front, besides providing supplies, we also provide training to carers. Many experienced carers generously share their knowledge and help guide new carers. This spirit of mutual support and connection has created an impact that goes far beyond a single programme.
We also bring the results of our efforts to various platforms — such as international animal welfare and animal management conferences, as well as the academic community — to share the experiences in Hong Kong and the valuable data collected over the years, further extending our influence and supporting street cats worldwide.
We are in need of more carers and funding to continue to support existing cats and carers but also to expand our reach and speed up the arrangement of street cat sterilisation, aiming to improve the overall welfare of cats in Hong Kong.
Apply to be a Registered Carer
- The SPCA accepts applications for registered carers all year round.
- As the situation in every cat colony is different, please contact us to tell us more about yours.
- Please contact the CCCP team via email cccp@spca.org.hk or 2232 5589 from Monday to Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm)
The CCCP team conducts a site visit to evaluate every proposed site for suitability. In privately owned areas such as housing estates or commercial areas, the support of the management committee will need to be obtained, and support from all parties will help ensure that colonies can continue to exist safely. Please note that due to legal and other restrictions, the programme cannot be implemented in all areas that would benefit.
Once the site has been approved, the CCCP team will meet face-to-face with applicants. The team will also answer any questions applicants may have about participating in the CCCP.
For further information on the CCCP, please call 2232 5589 or contact us via email: cccp@spca.org.hk
Donate to support CCCP
The CCCP is working very successfully but this critical programme depends on donations from the public to keep going. Please help Hong Kong’s street cats. Your donation really matters.
HK$3,888
Equipment Update
Help fund vital surgical implements to keep the programme running
HK$1,288
Trapping cages
Help purchase 100 new cages to safely capture street cats without causing them harm
HK$888
Community Outreach
Support outreach and training efforts to build a more compassionate community for street cats
HK$388
Medicine & Vaccines
Provides essential treatments and get them vaccinated to keep street cats healthy and disease-free
Gift For Donation
Sign up for a monthly donation of HK$100 or more to any programme, or make a one-off donation of HK$388 or more to CCCP, to receive a CCCP cat recycle bag*.
* Photo is for reference only. Gifts are limited in quantity and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.
