Last Updated on 7 January 2026 by Vanessa
Yesterday afternoon, before going to a film production meeting for my story Next to Her, I decided to pay a visit to De Poezenboot Caprice in Ghent, Belgium.
This cat shelter is no ordinary rescue center. It’s known all over the world and even attracts visitors from as far as China.
Why?
Because this cat shelter is located on a boat!
Imagine spending an entire afternoon surrounded by adorable cats and sipping a drink in their company. Poezenboot Caprice offers just that and much more.
Visiting De Poezenboot Caprice, Ghent’s floating cat shelter
The Unique Cat Boat Concept
De Poezenboot Caprice, also known as I.O.F.P.A., is a floating cat shelter located on the canal Verbindingskanaal in Ghent. It has been in operation since April 4, 1996.
Floating shelters remain rare. The only other one I know of are The Cat Boat in Amsterdam. The Ghent shelter, however, has built its own identity through hands-on care for abandoned and sick cats.
The team rescues cats, provides medical treatment, and looks after their daily needs. They focus on both physical recovery and long-term well-being, especially for cats that arrive stressed or injured. Every cat receives individual attention from the moment it comes aboard.
The shelter also places cats with adopters once they are ready. Many cats leave the boat for permanent homes, and those departures mark an important part of the shelter’s work.
Beyond the boat itself, the team helps people who find injured or lost cats in and around Ghent. They offer advice, assistance, and practical support when needed.
De Poezenboot Caprice also works with organizations abroad. Through partnerships in Greece, the shelter brings sick or injured animals to Belgium so they can receive treatment and, when possible, find new homes.
De Poezenboot Caprice, a cat lover’s paradise
De Poezenboot in Ghent is entirely designed around cats. As a visitor, you can spend time and play with them, or sit down with a drink while the cats move freely around the boat. The focus stays on calm interaction rather than spectacle.
The therapeutic effects of spending time with cats have been well-documented. Research shows that interacting with cats can reduce stress, anxiety, and even lower blood pressure.
Finding homes for the cats
If you feel a connection with a certain cat, adoption is possible. The team takes care to match each cat with a home that suits its needs and temperament. Through this process, many cats leave the boat for stable, long-term homes, which remains the shelter’s main goal.
During my visit to De Poezenboot Caprice, the cat from the photos below got adopted and left the boat. The joy and happiness on the new owner’s face were truly priceless. Watching that connection form, and knowing the shelter made it possible, gives a clear sense of the value of the work they do.
Plan your visit
If you’re in Ghent and want to visit Poezenboot Caprice, it’s easy to fit into your plans.
Opening hours
De Poezenboot Caprice opens daily from 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm, except on Mondays and Thursdays, when the team closes the boat.
The shelter has an open-door-policy, which means you can stop by whether you’re thinking about adopting a cat or simply want to spend some time with the feline residents.
Address
De Poezenboot Caprice, Gérard Willemotlaan 145, 9030 Ghent.
(Previous address: Nieuwevaart 300, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.)
How to get there?
Take tramway number one from the Ghent-Sint-Pieters train station in the direction of Wondelgem/Evergem until you arrive at the stop Gérard Willemotlaan. The total travel time will take you about 30 minutes.
If you decide to go by car, know that parking spaces in the vicinity of the boat are often limited.
More cats in Ghent
Didn’t find the cat you were looking for? Consider visiting the cat café DreamCATchers in Ghent, which is just a few minutes away from De Poezenboot Caprice. Here, too, you can enjoy a drink in the company of adoptable cats.
For even more choice, check out these 22 cat cafés in Belgium (most of which also have cats up for adoption).
How to help this floating cat sanctuary
There are many simple ways to support De Poezenboot Caprice, and it makes a real difference for the cats who live there.
Donate
Money keeps the sanctuary running. It pays for food, veterinary care, spaying and neutering, and daily upkeep. Any amount helps.
You could also start a small support group. If ten people donate just one euro a month, that steady support already adds up to meaningful help.
Volunteer
Volunteers help with daily care such as cleaning, feeding, and socializing the cats. The sanctuary also needs support with administrative tasks, online content, and communication. Volunteers keep everything running smoothly.
Adopt
By adopting a cat from De Poezenboot Caprice, you offer a safe, permanent home to a cat who needs one.
Spread the word
Share this article about De Poezenboot Caprice on social media, websites, or with your friends. More visibility brings in supporters and potential adopters.
Organize a fundraiser
You can host a garage sale or online fundraiser and donate the proceeds to the sanctuary. These initiatives help cover ongoing costs.
Donate supplies
The sanctuary regularly needs practical items such as cat food, litter, blankets, and toys. Supply donations meet immediate, everyday needs.
Every form of support counts. Small actions, taken together, help De Poezenboot Caprice continue caring for its cats.
Final thoughts
The idea of a floating cat shelter is original, and the care the cats receive shows in their content purrs and gentle nuzzles. This unique sanctuary gives abandoned and sick cats a real chance at a better life.
P.S. If you are interested in exploring other cat sanctuaries around the world, don’t miss our articles about Gouves Animal Shelter in Crete and the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary in Rome. 😻
If you enjoyed this virtual tour of the floating cat sanctuary De Poezenboot Caprice in Ghent, then don’t hesitate to share this post with fellow cat lovers and on social media. Sharing this post allows you to spread awareness about De Poezenboot Caprice, and it encourages others to consider adopting and supporting the shelter’s mission.
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
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One Response
There’s some very pretty kitties you have there. My daughter would love these pics. I’ll have to give her the link. You do have some pretty kitties there! For me… hubby doesn’t like them, so we’re dog people. We have had black Labradors since we’ve been together! They’re really very good dogs and loving. Anyway, have a great day! I had blog trouble, so I came in late. Sorry! Computers really hate me! 🙂