On 2 December 2023,  Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How announced that the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) of the National Parks Board (NParks) had developed a proposed cat management framework that would reverse the decades-long ban on the keeping of cats in HDBs. This marks a positive and progressive step towards creating a more inclusive and harmonious living environment for both cat owners and their neighbours. CWS has been advocating for this change for more than 10 years. We conducted extensive on the ground engagement to resolve cat-related feedback ..read more

On 15 December 2022, Singapore was stunned by a video of a boy throwing a cat off the 22nd floor of Blk 186 Boon Lay Avenue. The cat’s name was Panther. Panther’s carcass was discovered by his caregivers. CWS assisted his caregivers with filing a police report on the cruelty case. On 28 July 2023, it was reported that the boy in question had completed a rehabilitative programme conducted by the Animal and Veterinary Service. Amongst others, AVS informed the media through a press statement that the boy had been assessed by a psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health, who found that he di ..read more

Singapore has a unique ban on the keeping of cats in public housing. The formal stance taken by the government on this is: “Cats are not allowed in flats. They are generally difficult to contain within the flat. When allowed to roam indiscriminately, they tend to shed fur and defecate or urinate in public areas, and also make caterwauling sounds, which can inconvenience your neighbours.” CWS’ position is that this ban should be lifted entirely because the reasons are invalid; cats can be easily and successfully contained within flats, provided with litter boxes, and sterilised to prevent any i ..read more

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It has been almost a fortnight since we were all collectively shocked by a video circulating on the internet showing a minor hurting a cat. CWS assisted to file a report on the case with AVS and the caregivers filed a police report. AVS has responded to our report stating that it takes all feedback received from the public on animal cruelty seriously and is investigating. They have requested that the public not to speculate on the details of the case and allow investigations to run its proper course. We trust the authorities are fully aware of the gravity of the act and the need for an appropr ..read more

The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) has consistently called for a review of the 30-year old ban on the keeping of cats in HDB flats. Our view has been that the reasoning for banning cats in households is flawed and that responsible cat owners prove that cats can successfully be owned and contained within HDB flats with no disamenities caused.  In 2012, CWS’ surveys as part of the Love Cats Pilot Project in Chong Pang showed that approximately 90% of cat owners were already practising responsible cat ownership such as sterilising their pet cats and keeping them strictly indoors. It was the irres ..read more