HDB orders cat to be removed from flat – What happened to pilot cat ownership project?

Facebook user Alfredo Seow shared a letter from HDB which asked the owner of an apartment to remove a cat in his home by next week. In the firmly worded letter, HDB said, “cat-related nuisance such as shedding of fur, defecation in public areas and noise disturbance can spoil the estate’s living environment good neighbourliness.”

HDB says in its website: “Cats are not allowed in flats. They 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.”

In 2012, a pilot cat ownership project was launched in Chong Pang which is Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam’s ward. Mr Shanmugam said at that time that he wants to see the Chong Pang Cat Ownership programme replicated in other HDB estates, and that he will be approaching other MPs to take up the programme, which allows residents to own a cat in their HDB flat. It is unclear how this project project progressed after its pilot phase.

This is what the letter said:

28 December 2016 our ref: g134-5573-3.27

Dear *****

We refer to our telephone conversation on 28 December 2016 concerning the subject matter. We have received feedback that you have kept a cat in your flat. Under the HDB’s policy keeping of HDB strictly prohibited. Cats are not allowed to be kept in HDB flats as they are difficult to be confined within flats.

Cat-related nuisance such as shedding of fur, defecation in public areas and noise disturbance can spoil the estate’s living environment good neighbourliness.

We wish to advise you to remove the cat from your unit by 11 an 2017, failing which appropriate action may have to be taken by the HDB. We hope such is not necessary.

We forward to your co-operation in this matter. Should you need any further clarification look please contact our Higher Estate Executive, Mr Phan Ming Quan at 68663986

Yours sincerely
Eucas Lee Estate Manager (Woodlands Branch)
Housing Management Group