In Parliament on Monday (2 March), Non-Constituency MP Daniel Goh highlighted his earlier suggestion that it might be timely for the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to remove the ban on pet cats in HDB flats and to regulate pet cat keeping to minimise disamenities to neighbours.

The Workers’ Party NCMP repeated the Minister of National Development’s response to the suggestion where he said no, citing reasons of irresponsible pet ownership causing inconvenience to neighbours and unhappiness. 

Mr Goh said, “I find this line of reasoning inconsistent as this is applicable to all pets and all pet owners. But the ban is only specifically on cats.”

The NCMP explained that domestic cats are unlikely to cause the problems cited by the minister, noting that studies have shown that cats spend 25% of their waking hours cleaning themselves and that their natural instinct is to cover up their waste which can be done in a litter box.

Mr Goh further explained that cats are unlikely to make noise and when they do, it would be to alert their owners to outside activities or when they’re in pain or stressed. These, he said, are similar reasons dogs bark too.

Describing the ban as ‘outdated’, Mr Goh highlighted that regulating pet cat ownership in HDB flats will be more beneficial as the bans will give many stray cats a loving home and allow cat-lovers to care for their pet cats at home with peace of mind.

The NCMP suggested, “Regulation can include ensuring domestic cats remain indoors, micro-chipped and sterilised, and a framework to encourage community acceptance and having mediation channels for disputes.”

He noted the recent increase of dog size limit for HDB to allow more local mixed breed dogs to be rehomed in HDB flats under Project Adore. Mr Goh said, “I hope cats, no less adorable to many Singaporeans, may be included.”

Pet cats as collateral damage in neighbourly disputes

Under the HDB’s regulation, cats are not allowed to be reared in HDB flats. However, that has not kept flat occupants from rearing cats in their flats.

In the same Parliament session, Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng asked Senior Parliamentary Secretary of National Development Sue Xueling how and when HDB enforces its rule that cats are not allowed as pets in HDB flats.

Mr Ng noted that he’s seen cases where neighbourly disputes use cats as a point of contention which then makes the pet ‘collateral damage’ as HDB is forced to remove it from the property.

Ms Sun replied, “The HDB really will investigate if the disamenity is really a pet-related disamenities. So not that the cat is a collateral in bad relations between neighbours.”

She added that if HDB finds that the feedback is a pet-related disamenity and irresponsible cat ownership, HDB will “advice the owner accordingly with the assistance of relevant agencies when necessary”.

 

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

Police steps in to stop Aware from holding EOGM at Expo

Venue changed to Suntec City after police raised concerns of law and order problems.

Pokémon Go gives players much joy and also many negative impacts

The newly released online game Pokémon Go , has only been launched…

疑贬低狮城食物 马国麦丹劳椰浆饭宣传片引争议

一则广告若弄不好,会引起两国国民争议,马来西亚麦丹劳就是最好的例子之一。马国麦丹劳推出椰浆饭广告,其中含有贬低新加坡椰浆饭不如马国的好吃,马来西亚国民没兴趣食用该国椰浆饭的内容,令两国网民在网上大吵起来。 马国麦丹劳最近为新推出的椰浆饭做宣传,两周内推出了四则广告。其中一则30秒的宣传广告中,就有 “新加坡和马来西亚椰浆饭大对垒” 的意思。 广告中,一名新加坡男子带着心仪的马来西亚女子,到新加坡小贩中心用餐。女子当时手中还拖着行李,似乎刚刚抵达新加坡。 男子当时用两包纸巾“霸占”好位子后,就到名为“新加坡最好吃椰浆饭”的摊位排队,为自己和女子购买了椰浆饭。 岂知女子看到食物后,仅礼貌性地笑笑后将椰浆饭退给男子,随后就掏出一包标记着“马来西亚制造”的椰浆饭,开始享用。片尾时,女子成功引诱到男子,却不让对方试吃。 广告叙述文写道,“到充满诱惑的外国去,马来西亚人是否能够抵制诱惑并坚持自己所喜欢的东西呢?” 有刻意丑化国人之嫌 该广告引起网民的争议,狮城网民怒斥这是在玩弄国家主义,并且认为自家的椰浆饭绝对不比马来西亚的差,也更具特色。 马国网民当然也不会善罢甘休,直接回敬说马国美味的椰浆饭随处、随时可得。 我国网民表示,有关的广告有些部分令他们决定不满和不恰当,比如用两包纸巾“霸位”、排队时抢先一步排在其他人前面等,似乎在暗喻新加坡人“怕输”行为,甚至怀疑该广告有刻意丑化之举。…

5 June 2011 – Floods in Tanglin Mall and along Orchard Road

On 5 June 2011, the torrential downpour brought on flash floods in…