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  Straits Times Forum 15 Jun 07
RC should work with cat caregivers to solve feline problem
Letter from Dawn Kua (Ms) Director of Operations Cat Welfare Society

Straits Times Forum 12 Jun 07
Animal carers given short shrift over cats' fate by RC
Letter from Helga Koh Nee Gamp (Ms)

THE lives of three sterilised cats at Blk 875 Yishun St 81 are to be 'terminated" as a result of a survey conducted by Nee Soon Zone F RC which showed that 'two responders agreed and one responder disagreed to the removal of the cats'.

Madam Wong, a volunteer who lives in this block, did not receive the survey form. Hence, we were understandably upset as we have volunteered our time, effort and money in the neighbourhood's 'Cat Management' programme.

This includes trapping the community cats to be sterilised so that the population remains controlled and eventually reduced with natural attrition, as well as assisting the town council to resolve feedback about cats so that effective solutions are applied.

'Cat Management" helps the town council to conserve public funds by not engaging pest controllers to kill the cats.

Ms Pang, also a caregiver and resident of this RC zone, had sought Mr Goh Han Chuan, the Nee Soon Zone F chairman, for clarification on an earlier survey. However, she was treated with an attitude that was anything but courteous.

A chat with the residents of Blk 877 showed that:

1) The total number of residents spoken to: 36
2) 18 of them claimed not to have received the survey forms
3) 27 residents do not want the cats to be removed and killed
4) Seven are neutral
5) Two wanted the cats killed

Residents who merely file complaints with the RC were given due respect.

Surely then, it is not unreasonable for residents such as Ms Pang and I to ask for the same degree of respect. We appeal to the RC to work with us, not against, because we really have the same goal of reducing the conflicts between humans and cats.

We believe that a humane solution to the problems of living with cats in our midst sends a positive message to our young people whose lives seem to be imbibed with increasing violence and killing.

Singapore prides itself on its multiple achievements. Trap-Neuter-Release-and-Manage is an evidence-based method that will achieve a long-term and effective solution to our problems with cats.

'Cat Management" also provides a platform for residents of different races to work together, providing opportunities for us to know each other better which is a firm foundation of racial harmony.

Straits Times Forum 15 Jun 07
RC should work with cat caregivers to solve feline problem
Letter from Dawn Kua (Ms) Director of Operations Cat Welfare Society

THE Cat Welfare Society was disappointed to read about the survey that was conducted in Nee Soon Zone F RC which wanted to remove cats based on the feedback from two residents in the block, 'Animal carers given short shrift over the cats' fate by RC' (Online forum, June 12).

Ms Helga Koh has clearly spoken with a much larger number of residents who did not want the cats removed.

That the RC should decide to remove the cats based on a very small return rate on the surveys (three responses in all) is both disappointing and frankly quite surprising.

Either the surveys are not getting to the residents (as seems to have been the case) or the residents do not respond to the survey, thinking it is unimportant and not realising the cats will be removed as a result.

It also seems a waste of resources and time to send out surveys that only three residents responded to.

One wonders if the RC also sends out surveys about every other matter in the estate and if there is a more environmentally friendly and perhaps effective way of finding out what residents want.

The Cat Welfare Society hopes that the RC in question will work with caregivers who, as Ms Koh rightly pointed out, are residents themselves and practising cat management in the area.

They are more than happy to work with the RC to help with complaints and to work with fellow residents to make the living environment a better one for all.

Looking into the root cause of the problem is certainly a better solution than removing the cats which will just lead to more unsterilised cats moving in due to what is known as the vacuum effect.

It would be a shame if RCs which are there to foster community relations do the opposite by choosing to listen selectively to some of their residents.
links
Active citizenry? Bring back cat-rehab scheme
Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee Straits Times Forum 9 Feb 07

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