In a heroic 12-hour operation, the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) joined forces to rescue 20 distressed cats living in dire conditions within a Bukit Merah apartment.
The rescue mission was initiated when CWS alerted SPCA to an urgent case on Aug. 18. The situation had reached a critical point, as a sewage pipe had burst eight days prior, causing waste matter to inundate the entire flat.
Regrettably, the 20 cats, including a vulnerable kitten, were left to fend for themselves in this hazardous environment. Both organizations acted swiftly and were granted access to the unit past midnight on the same day.
SPCA described the apartment floor as “covered” in human waste, with some cats resorting to drinking the contaminated liquid from the sewage pipe leak. Shockingly, none of the 20 cats had access to fresh water for more than a week.
Authorities were immediately alerted to ensure the cats received urgent medical care. SPCA emphasized that these cats were at risk of malnutrition and poisoning from the toxins present in human waste. Their prompt rescue averted potential life-threatening consequences.
Executive director of SPCA, Aarthi Sankar, revealed to Mothership.SG that the cats are now in the custody of the authorities.
She stated, “Upon clearance of all health checks, we are committed to supporting the authorities with their rehoming.” Additionally, it was noted that none of the cats had been neutered or microchipped.
Responding to inquiries, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) of the National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed that the cats are under their care, and investigations are underway. Jessica Kwok, the Group Director of AVS, asserted, “AVS takes all cases related to animal welfare seriously and investigates all feedback received. We will take necessary and appropriate enforcement action against anyone who does not provide adequate care for their pet or has committed an act of animal cruelty.”
SPCA stressed that this incident is not an isolated one for them. They underlined that owning pets carries a lifelong responsibility, regardless of the situation. SPCA encouraged pet owners to have contingency plans in place in case of a crisis, urging them to seek help from relatives or friends when they are unable to care for their pets.
