Media Release | May 24, 2012
HOLLAND-BUKIT PANJANG TOWN COUNCIL LAUNCHES “CARE FOR CATS” (CFC) PROGRAMME IN HOLLAND-BUKIT PANJANG TOWN
Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council will embark on a “Care for Cats” Programme in Holland-Bukit Panjang Town. This programme will provide a holistic approach to encourage responsible cat ownership, promote gracious living among residents and set up a welfare management system for the abandoned cats. Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council will be working closely with the Cats Welfare Society (CWS) and relevant agencies to promote the welfare of cats in our town.
In our day to day operations, our Town Council staff often face challenges in handling cat nuisance in the estates. Instead of taking the cats away every time when we receive a complaint, we plan to handle the issue in a more holistic and sustainable way. Firstly, residents may be pleased to know that there are ways and means to resolve cat nuisance while taking into consideration the needs of our residents and welfare of cats. Secondly, more can be done to re-home or adopt abandoned cats and finally, it creates an opportunity for existing pet owners to gain more knowledge on responsible pet ownership. The Town Council and CWS are committed to reach out to cat owners to help them inculcate a considerate sense of neighbourliness and not let their cats pose a nuisance to their neighbours. On the other hand, residents who feedback about cat nuisance will be attended by the Town Council together with CWS volunteer, to see how we can best resolve the issue.
After fruitful discussions with the CWS together with their volunteers, Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council has decided to embark on this CFC programme encompassing three aspects of cat welfare management :
1) Educate and promote responsible pet ownership
In our urban society, more and more residents are keen to adopt or own a pet for companionship. It is also important to nurture our young and as well as our community towards love and care for their pet. As such, there is an increasing need to educate and create positive awareness on responsible pet ownership. Proper guidance on how to care for pet will be shared by volunteers from CWS.
2) Encourage gracious living and strengthen community bond
This programme will inculcate the importance of living with animals in harmony – including our neighbours, cats and pets. In addition, this is a good drive towards harmonious living between neighbours. Overtime, when families or residents communicate positively, it will naturally encourage reciprocal kindness and understanding thus strengthening community bonding.
3) Cat Welfare Management System
One of the better remedy to address abandoned cats issues in our estate is through effective cats re-homing or adoption scheme. The setting-up of a Public Adoption Board by CWS will look into solutions like matching and re-homing of cats. In addition, CWS will also be organizing exhibitions and road-shows to promote adoption and volunteer recruitment.
There will be outreach in Holland-Bukit Panjang Town by the CWS to educate and provide useful tips and information to our residents on responsible cat ownership. The Town Council, together the volunteers of CWS will work with our residents to promote gracious living and cat welfare in our town. Educational materials and advisories have been drawn up for residents to find out how they can help and play a part in this “Care for Cats” programme.
Let us sow the seeds of ‘Care’ and reap the harvest of gracious living in our town. Together we can build a gracious community.
