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Singaporeans living in public housing could soon be legally allowed to keep up to two pet cats under a new policy.
About the policy: On 2 December, Senior Minister for National Development Tan Kiat How said the controversial cat management framework would end Singapore’s 34-year-old ban on keeping cats in Housing and Development Board (HDB) apartment blocks. announced that it would be effectively overturned. The policy is expected to take effect later this year.
Singapore imposed a ban on keeping cats in 1989, arguing that felines are “generally difficult to contain” and that their noises cause a “nuisance” to nearby residents. Violators will be fined S$4,000 (approximately $3,000).
What to expect: The new framework will include several rules based on the obligation, including the obligation to wear a microchip, license registration, and security installations. First-time cat owners should take a free online pet care course before applying for a license.
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What has changed: It is unclear what prompted the Singapore government to change its attitude towards pet cats. According to Reuters, in a September 2022 survey, 9 out of 10 respondents agreed that cats are suitable pets in HDB apartments, so it may have influenced that decision. That’s what it means.
People’s opinions: Some Singaporeans suggested adding more rules to the proposed framework. For example, Tenuga Vijayakumar of the Cat Welfare Association is calling for mandatory sterilization of cats.
Cat guardian Chan Chow Wah, 50, wants tougher penalties for irresponsible owners. Chan told Reuters that she had to care for one dog who was diagnosed with heart disease and was abandoned, and another whose owner refused to pay medical bills after falling from a third-floor apartment. .
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