Sunny prides herself on being a law-abiding Singaporean citizen, however for the final three years, she’s been hiding a feline fugitive known as Mooncake.
The fluffy ragdoll lives with Sunny in defiance of a 34-year-old legislation banning cats within the government-built flats that home the overwhelming majority of Singaporeans. Luckily for Mooncake, Singapore plans to scrap the ban later this 12 months, liberating Sunny from the specter of a $3,007 high quality or her pet’s potential eviction.
“Cats are a lot quieter than dogs. If they permit dogs, I do not perceive why not cats,” stated Sunny, 30, who works in advertising and requested to be recognized solely by her first identify as a result of she did not wish to threat her cat being taken away.
Authorities hardly ever implement the ban, which applies to the high-rise Housing and Development Board condo blocks the place 80% of three.6 million Singaporeans reside. It has lengthy been flouted by numerous cat lovers.
Singapore’s ban on cats in HDB housing is yet one more instance of the city-state’s infamously exacting rules-based tradition, during which, for instance, the sale and import of chewing gum stays banned.
Established in 1960, the HDB scheme sells government-built models on to certified residents on 99-year leases. It has led to one of many world’s highest home-ownership charges, however residents are topic to many restrictions and laws.
Cats had been allowed in HDB flats till parliament amended the housing legislation in 1989. On its web site, the HDB justifies the ban by saying that cats are “tough to comprise inside the flat … they have a tendency to shed fur and defecate or urinate in public areas, and in addition make caterwauling sounds, which might inconvenience your neighbors.”
It’s not clear what made the Singapore authorities change its thoughts, however the tipping level seems to be an official survey in 2022 that confirmed 9 out of 10 respondents agreed that cats had been appropriate pets to maintain, together with in HDB flats.
The authorities at the moment are surveying members of the general public on the “proposed cat administration framework” that ought to come into place later in 2024.
Dogs haven’t been topic to an identical ban, however they’re restricted to 1 per family and solely sure breeds and sizes will be saved as pets: for instance, miniature poodles are allowed, however golden retrievers are usually not.
Market analysis agency Euromonitor International has predicted a surge in cat possession. In a report on the prospects for cat meals corporations, it estimated Singapore’s pet inhabitants at 94,000 cats and 113,000 dogs.
Lawmaker Louis Ng, who ran an animal welfare group earlier than becoming a member of parliament in 2015, additionally hopes the change will lead extra folks to undertake rescued cats.
Under the brand new framework, HDB residents could be restricted to 2 cats. It additionally mandates licensing and microchipping cats, in addition to putting in mesh screens on home windows so cats do not fall out.
Some cat lovers say the brand new laws do not go far sufficient.
Thenuga Vijakumar from the Cat Welfare Society needs the legislation to mandate sterilization. Cat rescuer Chan Chow Wah, 50, additionally needs penalties for irresponsible house owners. He stated he needed to deal with a cat that fell from the third story and whose house owners refused to pay its medical payments, in addition to one other cat that was deserted after being recognized with coronary heart illness.
“I find yourself taking up these circumstances. Basically, I take care of them till they go away,” stated Chan, estimating he spent $45,100 on vet payments in 2022.
But for a lot of cat house owners like Mooncake’s Sunny, the legislation is a blessing that can deliver her peace of thoughts.
“I believe it is a good factor and it is a step ahead after 30 years,” she stated.
