Finding Forever Homes For Singapore's Stray Cats - Time Out

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Photograph: Wislia OliveiraFinding forever homes for Singapore’s stray cats

The Kitten Sanctuary wants to change the hearts and minds of Singaporeans to save stray cats and kittens

Friday 7 August 2020ShareCopy LinkFacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppWritten by Cheryl SekkappanEditor, Singapore and AsiaAdvertising

The well-fed cat at the void deck of your HDB block obscures the reality of the hard life that stray cats live.

In Singapore, cats and kittens are regularly saved from drains and construction sites – dirty, hungry and cold. Many end up hit by vehicles or get into life-threatening territorial fights with fellow strays. Some cats find themselves on the streets when irresponsible cat owners abandon them. Some come from backyard breeders, which are unlicensed and unregulated cat mills that subject mama cats to repeated births under stressful conditions, only to wash their hands of them and any unsold kittens.

The Kitten Sanctuary hopes to give these cats and kittens a second lease of life. Headed by ex-DJ and vocal coach Jessica Seet, the shelter is also Singapore’s only neonatal kitten nursery and kindergarten. It works with a network of rescuers and volunteers to save cats – especially mama cats and kittens – and provide them with daily care and a roof over their heads.

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Filling a gap

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) puts up rescued newborn kittens for foster care, but until The Mamas and Munchkins neonatal nursery at The Cat Museum, which was reopened as The Kitten Sanctuary in 2019, there was no welfare group with the resources to take in orphaned newborn kittens.

“We realised that people had very little experience with neonatal babies,” says Jessica. “There was a gap, so we decided to focus our energy and effort in this area, which takes up a lot of time and effort.”

Neonatal kittens are challenging to care for. Especially in the absence of their mother, kittens are extremely vulnerable and require feeding every two to three hours with specially formulated milk. Despite all efforts, a lack of warmth, low blood sugar, or a minor illness can cause them to pass on. The medications, food, hospital visits and daily care required until they are old and healthy enough for adoption also racks up the bills.

Mama cats too face difficulties. “People tend to take in a pregnant cat so she can feed her babies for two to three months. But she gets chucked back on the street when all the kittens are adopted,” shares Jessica. At the sanctuary, mama cats are cared for and given a chance at a forever home.

Dispelling myths

Through The Kitten Sanctuary, Jessica also aims to dispel common misconceptions that people have of cats. Due to a lack of understanding of the cat’s nature and unique needs, adopters may struggle to give their new pet the right care.

For example, it’s common to hear that cats are solitary, aloof and even outright sinister. Some believe that cats have nine lives and always land on their feet. “I bring this up because it’s closely related to our safety adoption criteria,” explains Jessica, referring to the requirement that adopters mesh up their windows and gates. “Cats have a righting ability when they fall, but it doesn’t always happen.”

But Jessica strongly believes her personal turnaround is proof that minds can be changed. She herself was terrified of cats until she turned 38 years old – a surprising truth given her passionate advocacy for the felines. It was only when she chanced upon Brad Pitt, an uncoordinated and flat-faced kitten that became her very first cat, that she fell in love. “I think people can go through this change if they get the opportunity to have a really lovely interaction with an animal. We only fear what we don’t know or are unfamiliar with.”

Through interaction with the cats and knowledgeable volunteers, visitors come to appreciate the cats’ distinct personalities and needs. At The Kitten Sanctuary, visitors get ample playtime with the cats and kittens, and adopters are guided every step of the way – from cat-proofing their homes to caring for their new furry friend.

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Playing your part

The fight to keep the stray population under control in Singapore continues today. As animal welfare groups work to push the needle forward on the ground, ordinary Singaporeans can chip in too.

Jessica has some advice for those who are still unsure about adoption but want to help out. Start by hanging out with the felines at The Kitten Sanctuary – the interaction not only helps and educates you, but also provides the rescued cats and kittens the socialisation they need to get comfortable with humans and thrive as domestic pets. The entry fee also goes a long way towards covering the cost of food, milk for neonatal kittens, cat litter, medical bills or just keeping the lights on. Donations can also be made through kittensanctuarysg.org.

Jessica and her volunteers love to say that The Kitten Sanctuary is the happiest place in Singapore. “I guarantee you that if you allow your heart to be opened, it will change your life to care for such a lovely creature.”

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