Subject: Cat issues in HDB flats
Dear ****,
We refer to your email to ****** Town Council on 12 Nov 2009 regarding issue of keeping cats in HDB flats.
2. HDB estates are high-rise and high density in nature such that residents are more prone to disamenities caused by their neighbours. In setting rules on pet ownership, HDB's principal consideration is to preserve a pleasant living environment and good neighbourly relations. We need to strike a balance between residents who are pet lovers, and those who are more sensitive to the disamenities caused by animals.
3. Currently, our rule is that cats are not allowed to be kept in HDB flats. This is because cats are difficult to be confined in a flat and can easily get out of the flat through the window or any opening. This increases the probability of nuisance such as defecation, noise and shedding of fur which will affect other HDB residents.
4. Although HDB may set rules such as requiring the cats to be kept indoors and there will be some responsible cat owners who will comply with the rules, HDB is also mindful that there are many irresponsible cat owners. As it is now, despite the current prohibition on cats in HDB flats, HDB has been receiving numerous complaints from residents about people keeping cats which cause nuisance. Any relaxation of the current rule on keeping of cats is likely to aggravate the current cat situation and generate more complaints from the residents.
5. HDB residents have diverse views on the issue. Not all residents like cats, or like their neighbours to keep cats. For every call to lift the ban on keeping of cats in HDB flats, there is similar or more number of calls against it. Therefore, to preserve a pleasant living environment and good neighbourly relations in our high-rise, high-density public housing estates, HDB will continue to maintain the current policy of not allowing cats to be kept in HDB flats.
Yours faithfully,
HQ J
Estates Officer
**** Branch Office
Estates Officer . **** Branch Office . Housing Administration Department .
Read Government (ir)rationale for banning cats from 85% of homes
Repeal the HDB (Housing and Development Board)'s Ban on Cats
Cats in Apartments - The Perfect Pet For City Living
AVA's leaflet on "Cats as Pets"From AVA website
| 6. | Should cats be kept indoors? |
| It is actually advisable to keep your pet cats indoors as it is much safer. Outdoors, your cat may get into all sorts of trouble such as fights, car accidents sickness and abuse. Cats may also not return. As long as you provide enough space and distractions like kitty toys and scratching posts (and of course yourself as kitty entertainment), your cat should be content with staying at home. After all, cats can sleep up to 18 hours a day! Would you rather your cat be at home in safety and comfort (in its own cosy bed) or outside in a dirty wet drain or perched precariously on some ledge? Did you also know that if your cat is outdoors and caught by pest control companies/neighbours, you may never see your cat again? It has also been estimated that an indoor cat might live up to 20 years but the life expectancy of a cat kept outdoors is less than 5 years. Furthermore, unsterilised cats that are allowed to roam can breed, give rise to more unwanted cats and cause more animals to be homeless. Keeping your cat indoors would ensure this doesn't happen. Consider sterilising your cats too, as this can help make them easier to manage and contented staying at home. So, keep your cats indoors! Be a responsible cat owner. |
