Cats need a break! It's time to gather round and tell the HDB what we think. But San tells us that she can't send in any letter as she works for the Big G and so we told her we would write the letter in this here place. So after San saw that our spelling is correct, she said we could rant all we want. So here goes the letter (if we could send it) to the HDB. San told us the rant was too long but we begged her that if she allows it, we would let her sleep more.We refer to the official reply titled "HDB won't allow cats in flats" by Mrs Foo-Ho Yoke Ming, Deputy Director (branch operations) Housing and Development Board.
We feel we have been much maligned. We have been accused of many transgressions and of making general disturbance in public areas and as a species, we have borne much of this in relative silence.
We have been accused of "shedding fur." Does not a dog (even if it's the right-sized canine for HDB flats) shed fur? Does a rabbit not shed fur? Does a hamster not shed fur. All these animals are allowed to live in flats and we are sure a lot of fur is shed by all. But we are sure that all responsible owners make sure that all shed fur (and sometimes unshed) are promptly vacuumed. By the way, what has shedding fur to do with anything Mrs Foo-Ho? Would not a responsible cat owner also vacuum their pet's shed fur? It is only reasonable to assume so.
We 'dirty public places'. This seems like a reasonable fear. But here again, we fail to see the fault as being exclusively ours. Children at unsupervised play also dirty public places. Adults do this sometimes. Why do you blame only us? Ahh..possibly you mean the assumption that we defecate where we please. Not so. We are clean creatures and defecate in designated places.-on grass and we cover all traces. That is instinct. However, irresponsible feeders sometimes seduce us with food on their corridors. It is sometimes impossible to prevent accidents from happening. But surely this is the problem of irresponsible feeders, and should not be put on our door.
'Cats are nomadic in nature and it is difficult to confine them to flats.' We beg to differ. Cats prefer routine, the well-trodden road. This makes us feel safe and secure. We have been known to lead very happy indoor lives with hardly a foot outdoors. We love the safety and warmth that a human can give us - warm food and even warmer affections. None of this can be had outdoors. Give us a chance.
Okay. So we sometimes make some noise but only if we are left unneutered . We live good and robust lives if left to ourselves but once we are neutered, we lead stable, temperate and very quiet lives. Sometimes you don't even know we're there. Won't responsible owners neuter their cats? Won't they keep their cats safe from harm? Won't they keep their balconies and windows grilled to keep their cats safe? All responsible pet owners, be they owners of dogs, rabbits , birds or hamsters will do all that they can to keep their pets safe. Surely Mrs Foo-Ho, you should speak to the people who keep animals and not blame the animals themselves. If we could find responsible owners who would do everything possible (and sometimes impossible) to keep their pets safe, surely you should allow cats in flats. We are just like any other animal and we expect our owners to be responsible for their actions to us and to all their neigbours.
We are not saying that the HDB is anti-cat. We are sure the officers are only doing their jobs but what we are asking is perhaps the HDB could re-examine its rules and regulations as to cat-ownership. We see human beings living in little boxes and have crowded lives. Surely it is not unreasonable to allow them their choice of pet and a choice of having a cat as a pet? The trouble is not with us but with human beings and their actions. If you have responsible pet ownership, then where is the trouble? The truth lies in education and information. If you allow dogs of regulation size, rabbits, hamsters and all other furry creatures (apart from wild life), surely you see that it is unreasonable to say that cats cannot make good pets. All these other animals are potential 'general disturrbance'. The reason you assume thay are not is because you have ruled them to be 'safe' and then had gone to ensure and enforce the rule. Surely it is time to include others in this circle.
Cats are small, clean and neat. We fit in the smallest crevice and are happy with catnip toys. We only need love and affection from responsible people and we would return it a thousand-fold. We only need a chance to show you this.
We remain
The 3 Amigos
We feel we have been much maligned. We have been accused of many transgressions and of making general disturbance in public areas and as a species, we have borne much of this in relative silence.
We have been accused of "shedding fur." Does not a dog (even if it's the right-sized canine for HDB flats) shed fur? Does a rabbit not shed fur? Does a hamster not shed fur. All these animals are allowed to live in flats and we are sure a lot of fur is shed by all. But we are sure that all responsible owners make sure that all shed fur (and sometimes unshed) are promptly vacuumed. By the way, what has shedding fur to do with anything Mrs Foo-Ho? Would not a responsible cat owner also vacuum their pet's shed fur? It is only reasonable to assume so.
We 'dirty public places'. This seems like a reasonable fear. But here again, we fail to see the fault as being exclusively ours. Children at unsupervised play also dirty public places. Adults do this sometimes. Why do you blame only us? Ahh..possibly you mean the assumption that we defecate where we please. Not so. We are clean creatures and defecate in designated places.-on grass and we cover all traces. That is instinct. However, irresponsible feeders sometimes seduce us with food on their corridors. It is sometimes impossible to prevent accidents from happening. But surely this is the problem of irresponsible feeders, and should not be put on our door.
'Cats are nomadic in nature and it is difficult to confine them to flats.' We beg to differ. Cats prefer routine, the well-trodden road. This makes us feel safe and secure. We have been known to lead very happy indoor lives with hardly a foot outdoors. We love the safety and warmth that a human can give us - warm food and even warmer affections. None of this can be had outdoors. Give us a chance.
Okay. So we sometimes make some noise but only if we are left unneutered . We live good and robust lives if left to ourselves but once we are neutered, we lead stable, temperate and very quiet lives. Sometimes you don't even know we're there. Won't responsible owners neuter their cats? Won't they keep their cats safe from harm? Won't they keep their balconies and windows grilled to keep their cats safe? All responsible pet owners, be they owners of dogs, rabbits , birds or hamsters will do all that they can to keep their pets safe. Surely Mrs Foo-Ho, you should speak to the people who keep animals and not blame the animals themselves. If we could find responsible owners who would do everything possible (and sometimes impossible) to keep their pets safe, surely you should allow cats in flats. We are just like any other animal and we expect our owners to be responsible for their actions to us and to all their neigbours.
We are not saying that the HDB is anti-cat. We are sure the officers are only doing their jobs but what we are asking is perhaps the HDB could re-examine its rules and regulations as to cat-ownership. We see human beings living in little boxes and have crowded lives. Surely it is not unreasonable to allow them their choice of pet and a choice of having a cat as a pet? The trouble is not with us but with human beings and their actions. If you have responsible pet ownership, then where is the trouble? The truth lies in education and information. If you allow dogs of regulation size, rabbits, hamsters and all other furry creatures (apart from wild life), surely you see that it is unreasonable to say that cats cannot make good pets. All these other animals are potential 'general disturrbance'. The reason you assume thay are not is because you have ruled them to be 'safe' and then had gone to ensure and enforce the rule. Surely it is time to include others in this circle.
Cats are small, clean and neat. We fit in the smallest crevice and are happy with catnip toys. We only need love and affection from responsible people and we would return it a thousand-fold. We only need a chance to show you this.
We remain
The 3 Amigos
Dear 3 Amigos, I don't think the letter is too long or ranty, you all should send it to the newspapers, just as it is.
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