Channel NewsAsia - 51 minutes ago
Dispute over welfare of 130 cats to involve authorities
SINGAPORE: What started as a row among animal lovers has been blown up into something that will soon involve the authorities.
The dispute revolves around the welfare of some 130 cats at Ericsson Pet Farm in Pasir Ris Farmway 2.
The tenant of the lot, Lilly Low, took in stray cats and moved her charges to the space at Ericsson Pet Farm in September last year. She has, apparently, been caring for cats for ten years.
According to a neighbour, Ms Low fell out with the person who helped her with the costs of taking care of the cats and has allegedly refused help from other people. This has resulted in a lack of funds to pay for rent and food.
However, Ms Low denied this, saying: "I donÂ’t starve the animals. I starve myself. I survive on cup noodles. I have been feeding them every day. In fact, three times a day."
Ms Low admitted that she had been receiving about S$500 a month for the past two months from a sponsor. The financial contribution is not written in a contract.
The money was used to help defray the total cost of caring for the cats, which amounts to about S$2,560 per month. This includes the monthly rent of over S$1,700.
The person who reported the situation, James Tan, claimed the cats were underfed for the past couple of days because the owner had to leave the premises. He said other tenants had been trying to feed the cats through the fence.
The owner of the pet farm, however, said he was not aware of the situation.
Eric Lim, director of Ericsson Pet Farm, said: "A lot of cat feeders like to mind other peopleÂ’s business. I always tell them, Â’Mind your own business. Look after your own animalsÂ’."
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said it was refused entry to the pet farm, so it would channel its report to the Agri—Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Thursday.
Those found guilty of cruelty to animals can be fined a maximum of S$10,000 or sentenced to 12 months’ jail, or both. — CNA/so
Channel NewsAsia - 1 hour 42 minutes ago
AVA officers find 130 cats, allegedly underfed, to be healthy
SINGAPORE : The 130 cats which had allegedly been underfed by a caretaker at Pasir Ris Farmway are in fact healthy.
This was confirmed by animal welfare officers from the Agri—Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) who inspected the animals on Thursday.
The inspectors visited the farm after it received complaints from neighbouring residents and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
A caller to the MediaCorp News hotline had alleged on Wednesday that the animals had supposedly been underfed.
Another cat lover, who only wants to be known as Madam Yap, has since volunteered to take over the 130 cats.
But that offer has been rejected by the original caretaker of the cats. — CNA /ls
