٠٠:٠٢:٥٠Singapore's 34-year old ban pets in government-built flats - where most citizens live - will be scrapped in September, giving furry residents a purr-fect reason celebrate.
Footage shot on Sunday shows a variety of cat breeds being pampered, while eating and playing with their owners in their homes, while stray cats can also be seen sitting in front of a rescue shelter.
Many cats already call the flats home, despite the threat of a S$4,000 ($3,007) fine.
"I guess policymakers decided it was time to transition to something that would be a little it more effective in terms of the way they can enforce it, not having an outright ban on cats, because people want this," said cat owner Natalia Tan.
"If you keep them indoors with enough enrichment, some neighbours may not even know that you have cats. So what happens is I think most people are heartened by this and look forward to licensing their cats," said Quek Guan Ling, a volunteer at cat rescue shelter.
"Abandonment is definitely a very big issue in Singapore because people can conveniently just let their cats go." she continued. "The other issue that we have is hoarding, because of lack of education and awareness some of them actually fail to sterilise their cats, and three cats can become thirty cats in a year," she added.
Though the law was rarely enforced, owners can encounter problems if neighbours file complaints with the authorities. The ban was first imposed due to concerns about the challenges of keeping cats inside apartments.
Media reports suggest government will impose new rules, where residents can have up to two cats and one approved breed of dog, provided they complete a free online pet ownership course and ensure their pets are microchipped and registered.
Cat's got the cream! Singapore to lift 34-year ban on pets in govt-built apartments
Singapore's 34-year old ban pets in government-built flats - where most citizens live - will be scrapped in September, giving furry residents a purr-fect reason celebrate.
Footage shot on Sunday shows a variety of cat breeds being pampered, while eating and playing with their owners in their homes, while stray cats can also be seen sitting in front of a rescue shelter.
Many cats already call the flats home, despite the threat of a S$4,000 ($3,007) fine.
"I guess policymakers decided it was time to transition to something that would be a little it more effective in terms of the way they can enforce it, not having an outright ban on cats, because people want this," said cat owner Natalia Tan.
"If you keep them indoors with enough enrichment, some neighbours may not even know that you have cats. So what happens is I think most people are heartened by this and look forward to licensing their cats," said Quek Guan Ling, a volunteer at cat rescue shelter.
"Abandonment is definitely a very big issue in Singapore because people can conveniently just let their cats go." she continued. "The other issue that we have is hoarding, because of lack of education and awareness some of them actually fail to sterilise their cats, and three cats can become thirty cats in a year," she added.
Though the law was rarely enforced, owners can encounter problems if neighbours file complaints with the authorities. The ban was first imposed due to concerns about the challenges of keeping cats inside apartments.
Media reports suggest government will impose new rules, where residents can have up to two cats and one approved breed of dog, provided they complete a free online pet ownership course and ensure their pets are microchipped and registered.
Singapore's 34-year old ban pets in government-built flats - where most citizens live - will be scrapped in September, giving furry residents a purr-fect reason celebrate.
Footage shot on Sunday shows a variety of cat breeds being pampered, while eating and playing with their owners in their homes, while stray cats can also be seen sitting in front of a rescue shelter.
Many cats already call the flats home, despite the threat of a S$4,000 ($3,007) fine.
"I guess policymakers decided it was time to transition to something that would be a little it more effective in terms of the way they can enforce it, not having an outright ban on cats, because people want this," said cat owner Natalia Tan.
"If you keep them indoors with enough enrichment, some neighbours may not even know that you have cats. So what happens is I think most people are heartened by this and look forward to licensing their cats," said Quek Guan Ling, a volunteer at cat rescue shelter.
"Abandonment is definitely a very big issue in Singapore because people can conveniently just let their cats go." she continued. "The other issue that we have is hoarding, because of lack of education and awareness some of them actually fail to sterilise their cats, and three cats can become thirty cats in a year," she added.
Though the law was rarely enforced, owners can encounter problems if neighbours file complaints with the authorities. The ban was first imposed due to concerns about the challenges of keeping cats inside apartments.
Media reports suggest government will impose new rules, where residents can have up to two cats and one approved breed of dog, provided they complete a free online pet ownership course and ensure their pets are microchipped and registered.