Several cats were removed from a Housing Board flat at Bedok Reservoir after allegations of neglect, with the National Parks Board (NParks) investigating the situation.
The removal followed reports from residents who discovered injured cats or dead ones around Block 147, Bedok Reservoir Road, and traced the animals to a specific unit. Authorities were alerted after the residents identified the unit where the cats may have fallen from.
On December 19, Reyn Teng, 42, shared on the Sayang Our Singapore’s Community Cats Facebook group that a resident of the block found a dead kitten on the morning of December 16. That evening, Teng found another injured kitten nearby.
“It was a dreadful feeling. That was the first time I encountered a dead cat. I was really hoping it wasn’t dead when I called out to it,” said Muhammad Samir, 35, a local who found the dead kitten and later paid for its burial.
Later that evening, Ms. Teng, who rescues and feeds community cats, discovered another injured kitten and took it to a vet. The vet confirmed the kitten’s injuries were consistent with a fall from a height. The residents believed the cats had fallen from the same unit above because their fur colors were similar.
Ms. Bellerie Gn, 28, another resident and volunteer who assists Teng with rescues, searched the block with her husband to locate the source of the problem. They identified the flat based on the strong stench of cat urine emanating from it. They then planned to approach the unit’s owner.
However, on December 18, Mr. Samir discovered another dead cat near the previous locations and informed Ms. Teng. She then contacted NParks and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“It was gut-wrenching because I didn’t expect to see another dead one. You don’t normally see dead cats on any normal day, let alone twice in three days,” said Mr. Samir.
While Ms. Teng was waiting for authorities to pick up the dead cat, another cat fell in front of her. The cat managed to get up but collapsed nearby, bleeding from the mouth. It was found to have a pelvic fracture and was severely dehydrated, according to the SPCA. The cat is now in stable condition and recovering.
“I started to panic. Then I looked up and saw more cats sitting on the mid-floor window ledge,” said Ms. Teng, who immediately contacted Ms. Gn.
The residents placed a mattress, blanket, and a rubbish cart below the window to catch any falling cats. An SPCA officer also set up a net beneath the unit when they arrived.
When the authorities attempted to contact the flat’s owner, they were unable to reach them. As a result, NParks called a locksmith, who opened the door around 2 p.m. on December 18.
“When we opened the door, it was shocking to see there were cats, rubbish, poo, and pee everywhere,” Ms. Teng recounted. “I’d like to thank the SPCA and NParks teams for doing their best to get the cats out.”
She added that the condition inside the flat was extremely poor, with unbearable smells and no way to open the windows. “They had to endure the smell and catch those cats in darkness.”
In a statement, SPCA’s executive director, Aarthi Sankar, described the flat as “severely derelict,” and noted that all the cats inside were found to be in poor health.
Ms. Teng reported that 12 cats were found alive in the flat, alongside three dead ones. The surviving cats were taken by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), except for one that remained under treatment at the SPCA.
Ms. Gn urged cat owners to mesh their windows and sterilize their pets. She also encouraged those who can no longer care for their cats to seek help from animal welfare groups or local Facebook communities.
“As pet owners, we have the responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the pets that we care for,” she said.
NParks confirmed that it had removed the cats from the flat after being informed of alleged neglect, and it is currently investigating the matter.
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