| HE ADOPTED a stray puppy 25 years ago and gave it all his love.  HIS DUTY TO CARE: Since he lost his pet dog in 1996, Mr K M Tan has made it his duty to be pet owner to some 80 cats in his Ang Mo Kio estate. TNP PICTURES: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF After his beloved dog, Bikee, was killed on a road in 1996, Mr K M Tan has not kept a pet in his flat. Instead, he's become a father figure to 80 stray cats which he 'picked up' in his Ang Mo Kio estate, including 19 which he keeps at a pet farm. Twice a day, Mr Tan, 56, pedals his bicycle around 20 blocks in his neighbourhood to feed his feline 'children'. Unfortunately, he can't do this for much longer. He has been jobless for almost 18 monthsand is running out of money. Said Mr Tan, who lives in a five-room flat in Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 with his elderly parents: 'I'm going bankrupt using what little I have from my savings. But if I don't feed the strays, who will? 'It's not easy (to get a job), especially in this recession. Some employers would rather hire younger workers than me.' Mr Tan, who studied to be a film-maker, recently advertised on Gumtree Singapore, an online forum, to look for people to adopt his cats or sponsor their upkeep.  CAT FIGHT: While he was busy feeding the stray cats in his estate last Wednesday, Mr K M Tan had a shouting match with a woman who claimed that the stray cats are 'dirty and dangerous to children'. His plea for help, dated 6 Mar, stated that he 'can't afford to look after these cats anymore'. Some of his cats at the pet farm had flu, with three dying from pneumonia. Three years ago, the HDB ordered him to remove 20 cats he had kept in a rented flat. Mr Tan, who is single and undergoing training as a property agent, said he didn't want to surrender the cats to the authorities as they would most likely be put to sleep. He earns $1,900 a month from renting out an apartment which he owns. On average, he spends about $1,700 each month on the cats, most of it going to cat food, veterinary bills and rent at the pet farm in Pasir Ris. But last month, he found he had exceeded his budget, with his bill coming up to $1,900. He showed this reporter receipts for cat food purchases, medical bills and even an income tax assessment for 2008. Mr Tan, who estimates that has spent more than $100,000 on his cats since 1996, said: 'I'm not asking for cash, but perhaps somebody can donate cat food or their time to look after the cats. 'Im in a predicament because when I get a full-time job, I'll have little time to do my feeding rounds. I may need to hire somebody to help me.' Every day, the sound from a rusted fender on Mr Tan's bicycle rubbing against the front tyre and his whistling announces that it's 'makan time'. From behind bushes and under park benches, the stray cats dash towards him. Once skinny, the sterilised cats are in better shape today, he proudly pointed out. They are fed a mixture of dry and wet food, served in a plastic bag, which he clears later. It started when he took his dog for walks in the estate and saw many skinny and sick cats in the estate. 'They were drinking from dirty puddles and eating from rubbish bins. It was a pitiful sight,' he said. His parents declined to be interviewed. He said they strongly disagree with what he's doing. But in the eyes of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals executive officer Dierdre Moss, Mr Tan and volunteers like him are heroes. Said Ms Moss: 'The point is they are making a difference by taking ownership of the stray problem.' She suggested that he coordinate his efforts with others in the estate who feed the stray cats, which could ease his financial burden. Some aren't pleased Mr Tan's neighbours were divided. Some, like Mr Saad, feel he has a 'good heart'. The 45-year-old mechanic said: 'Few people in the estate are willing to put others, or in this case, animals, before themselves. His compassion is an example we should follow. 'Today when you walk about the estate, you will notice fewer rats. Perhaps having the stray cats is a good thing after all.' Others, like retiree Ah Lim, 64, feel Mr Tan's problem is his own doing. He said in Malay: 'The fellow asked for it. If he is losing money, well, he should have thought about it in the beginning.' Two Wednesdays ago, The New Paper witnessed a shouting match between a woman resident and Mr Tan. Upset that that his feeding had resulted in more cats appearing under her block, she told him: 'They are dirty and are dangerous to children. I will complain to the town council.' He accepts that he will have his critics, adding: 'I hope one day Singapore does not have a problem of strays. Until then, I will try to look after them. 'I hope my luck will change when I can be a successful film-maker. Only then will I be able to provide more for my cats.' http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...97236,00.html? |
Sunday, March 29, 2009
He breaks his piggy bank for stray cats
