While this long weekend was meant to be filled with loads of food, laughter and company, it wasn’t so for some of our feline friends who were discovered to be in living hell for most of their lives.
According to Facebook page Saving The Siameses, a group of volunteers conducted a massive rescue operation on Monday (June 26), saving a total of 94 cats (mostly Siamese) from a two-room HDB flat in Fernvale. The flat itself belonged to a breeder who couldn’t afford to care for the cats after the illicit breeding operation spiralled out of control, so that left the poor felines to fend for themselves while they were locked up indoors. The breeder’s identity remains undisclosed.
Cat Welfare Society (CWS) found out about the hoarded cats last week and collaborated with Saving The Siameses volunteers to mount the rescue operation, which took up to four hours, with the initial estimated number of cats to be about 56. But as more and more kept appearing, the total number of cats nearly doubled to 94.
In the live videos and updates posted on Facebook, the situation was described as ‘dire’, with the cats reeking of urine and poop. Many of the felines were said to be visibly distressed, nursing illnesses and injuries like cat flu and eye infections. Eighteen of them are currently receiving treatment at the vet, while the rest are housed in commercial boarding. Unfortunately, one of the kittens, about 10 days old, passed on while being fostered because it had been too malnourished prior to the rescue.
According to CWS, this case is just one of the seven cat-hoarding situations they’ve faced this year. “We have discovered that many of them started out by breeding cats and it goes out of control because of lack of knowledge,” they said. “We want to remind everyone that animals are NOT easy money.”
An AVA spokesman informed Coconuts Singapore that investigations are currently ongoing. “We will take the appropriate action upon conclusion of our findings,” he said.
A post by Saving The Siameses noted that the cats will be treated and housed at the Pet Boarding Centre before potential fosterers step forward.
“We do not wish to pass (the cats) over in haste as many (potential adopters) will come forward out of sympathy, not knowing what they are landing themselves into.”
“Of course the boarding is not long term, as ultimately the aim is to rehome (the cats) to let them start afresh. They deserve a good loving home,” said a post by the administrators.
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