Debate continues as HDB reviews cat ownership policy
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By Sara Grosse | Posted: 31 July 2011 1735 hrs
SINGAPORE: Some Town Councils said they receive regular complaints on cats in their neighbourhood.
Sembawang-Nee Soon told Channel NewsAsia that for the month of June, it received 35 complaints.
With the Housing and Development Board (HDB) still reviewing its policy on whether cats should be allowed in HDB homes as pets, this may pose a problem to some.
But animal experts said it boils down to responsible cat ownership.
41-year-old Kareen Kaur is the proud owner of two cats. Ginger has been with Kareen for three years, while Bella is the latest addition.
Kareen lives in a two-room apartment in a high-rise condominium, and she said her neighbours have not complained about her pets so far.
The HDB does not allow cats mainly because cats are seen as difficult to confine within flat premises.
"I think it really depends a lot on the character of the cat. If you have a cat that's very hyper, very curious, I think it's better to put barricades on the window," said Kaur.
And erecting barricades was the first thing Kaur did when she adopted Bella.
Experts said the onus is on the cat owner to make sure measures are in place to avoid disturbances.
"It becomes a human's responsibility. It cannot be a cat's responsibility. Their nature is to jump, to play. Whoever wants to keep a cat in the house, in the HDB flat, needs to take up that responsibility in order to keep peace in the area," said Dr Denise Ng, a veterinarian at the Light of Life Veterinary Clinic & Services.
Sembawang-Nee Soon Town Council told Channel NewsAsia that residents usually voice concerns about cat noises or scratches on vehicles.
On its website, HDB cited urination in common areas as another concern.
"Most cats that dirty the corridors or general public areas are cats that are not sterilised. The male cat, the tomcats will generally mark the area to increase their territorial or territories in order to mate as many females as possible. In this sort of situation, sterilisation would really help," said Dr Ng.
Dr Ng also suggests that if the government were to allow cats in HDB flats, cat owners should be required to barricade their windows on top of having a license for their cats.
- CNA -
The whole problem is , it should start with education.
How come there isn't even a chapter in our textbooks to educate Singaporean how to love cats and care for cats, the cats temperament, the cats food that they eat, etc.
But how come there are so many chapters devoted to Algebra, Geography, Physics and Maths formula that we cannot even touch and see in our daily life?
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Yah lor social studies I learnt really never apply in daily life leh. Maths like those a maths also hardly use. Chinese letter writing worst. Never write letter for ages. Composition also.
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in my condo...we have cats corner...
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Originally posted by BanguIzai:
The whole problem is , it should start with education.
How come there isn't even a chapter in our textbooks to educate Singaporean how to love cats and care for cats, the cats temperament, the cats food that they eat, etc.
But how come there are so many chapters devoted to Algebra, Geography, Physics and Maths formula that we cannot even touch and see in our daily life?
they expect you to read some iconic persons not about the pets.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
they expect you to read some iconic persons not about the pets.
haha, good observation
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Most kids have fantasy about keeping pets but they don't they come with responsiblility. The kitten or puppy will grow up and no longer the cute cute furry little animals they bought from the pet shop.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
they expect you to read some iconic persons not about the pets.
like LKY