07/10/2020
Cats approved minister! 🐈
[ Allow cats to be kept in HDB flats ]
Over the weekend, I did home visits and as usual, I met many residents who keep cats in their HDB flats. Here’s a photo of one cat ❤️
This is the reality. Many many many people keep cats in HDB flats. We have a rule that we do not actively enforce. Why then do we have this rule?
I spoke up about this in Parliament today and urged MND to amend the Housing and Development (Animals) Rules to reflect what we already accept in reality - that residents are allowed to keep cats, which can be removed if found to be causing disamenities to the community. Check out what I said below.
Minister Desmond replied that they will continue to review this rule.
What do you think 🤔 Let me know your thoughts and I will help raise them in Parliament.
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“The policy of not allowing the keeping of cats in HDB flats has to be reviewed and changed. I’ve spoken up about this for more than a decade now.
I know this is not part of this Bill but I hope Minister will address this point.
Let me reiterate what I said in this House in March this year, “HDB has stated that cats 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.
It does not make sense that one is allowed to keep a dog, and now a big dog, but not a cat, not even a little kitten. Dogs can also shed fur and defecate or urinate in public areas. What is more, they bark.
HDB's concerns can be easily addressed. We can ensure that pet cats do not roam indiscriminately and are sterilised. Sterilised cats do not make caterwauling sounds. I have seen firsthand how all these simple measures can be taken and people can keep cats in their flats without affecting their neighbours.”
In response to my question, MND has said, “when HDB receives a complaint, they go down and investigate. If the cat is not causing any disamenities, the resident will not be asked to remove the cat”.
I appreciate this reply but my question then is what is the point of having a rule that we do not actively enforce?
So many people are already keeping cats in HDB flats. Many of us as MPs see this during our home visits and some of us even take photos with our HDB residents and their cats.
Sir, I sincerely hope that MND will amend the Housing and Development (Animals) Rules to reflect what we already accept in reality - that residents are allowed to keep cats, which can be removed if found to be causing disamenities to the community.”