‘Rubbish, poo and pee everywhere’: NParks removes cats from Bedok Reservoir flat

SINGAPORE – Several cats that were allegedly neglected were removed from a Bedok Reservoir Housing Board flat by the National Parks Board (NParks), which is also looking into the matter.

This came after residents in the area noticed injured cats or their carcasses at Block 147 Bedok Reservoir Road, and contacted the authorities after spotting the unit they could have fallen from.

In a Dec 19 post in the Sayang Our Singapore’s Community Cats Facebook group, user Reyn Teng, 42, said a resident from that block had found a dead kitten on the morning of Dec 16, and that she had found another injured kitten nearby the same evening.

“It was a dreadful feeling. That was the first time I encountered a dead cat. I was really hoping it was not dead when I called out to it,” said Mr Muhammad Samir, 35, who found the dead kitten and paid for it to be buried.

The same evening, Ms Teng – who rescues and feeds cats – found another injured kitten nearby, and took it to a vet. The vet subsequently confirmed that the kitten’s injuries were consistent with a fall from a height, she told The Straits Times.

The residents believed that the cats could have fallen from the same unit above the area where they were found, as their fur colours were similar.

Ms Bellerie Gn, 28, another resident in the neighbourhood who helps Ms Teng in her rescue and rehoming efforts, then searched every floor in the block with her husband to locate the unit, which they found due to the strong stench of cat urine – which has a distinct smell – emanating from it. She then alerted Ms Teng, and the two planned to approach the owner of the unit.

However, on the morning of Dec 18, Mr Samir – who also feeds community cats – found another dead feline near where the previous two were found, and informed Ms Teng, who then contacted NParks and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

“It was gut-wrenching because I really did not expect to see another dead one. You don’t normally see dead cats on any normal day, let alone twice in three days,” said Mr Samir.

As Ms Teng was waiting for the authorities to pick up the carcass, another cat fell right before her.

It got up before collapsing at a nearby pillar, bleeding from the mouth. The cat was found to have sustained a pelvic fracture and was in an “extreme state of dehydration”, said the SPCA in response to queries. The cat is now with the organisation, and is stable and eating well.

“I started to panic. Then I looked up and saw more cats sitting on the mid-floor window ledge.” said Ms Teng, who then contacted Ms Gn.

The residents then placed a rubbish cart, a mattress and a blanket in the area below in case the animals fell. The SPCA officer also set up a net below the unit upon arrival.

According to Ms Teng, the owner of the flat could not be contacted when the authorities arrived, so they got a locksmith to open the door to the unit at about 2pm.

“When we opened the door, it was shocking to see there were cats, rubbish, poo and pee everywhere. I would like to thank the team from SPCA and NParks for doing their very best to get the cats out of the house,” she said.

“The condition inside the house was very bad. The smell was horrible. They couldn’t open the door or windows, so they had to endure the smell and catch those cats in darkness.”

In a media reply, SPCA’s executive director Aarthi Sankar said that the unit looked to be “severely derelict”, with all the cats found inside in poor condition.

According to Ms Teng, 12 cats were found alive in the flat, along with three carcasses.

The survivors were taken in by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), save for the cat undergoing treatment at the SPCA, according to the society.

Ms Gn called for cat owners to mesh their windows and to sterilise their pets, and to seek help via Facebook groups or animal welfare organisations if they can no longer care for their cats.

“As (pet owners), we have our responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of the pets that we care for,” she said.

In a media reply, NParks said it had removed cats from a flat at Block 147 Bedok Reservoir Road after it was informed that pet cats there were allegedly neglected. It is looking into the matter.

NParks advised the public to report cases of suspected animal cruelty or injuries via its website at

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/feedback-and-enquiry

 or the Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600.

“As with all investigations, all forms of evidence are critical to the process, and photographic and/or videographic evidence provided by the public will help,” the board said.