More than 10 cats have been abandoned at an HDB block in Marsiling, according to one Facebook post by one Siau Li Chao.

Abandoned kitties

In the March 26 post, Siau claimed that the owner had abandoned the cats at the block when he or she moved last year, who ended up disturbing residents with their defecation, urination and fighting.

The cats, mainly of the Russian Blue breed, were all unsterilised at the time, but the Cat Welfare Society and the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has since worked together to neuter the cats under the Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme.

The Russian Blue is a cat breed believed to originate from northern Russia. The breed is short-haired, and the fur coat has varying colours, from a lighter silver to a dark grey.

Looking for fosterers & adopters

Volunteers are currently looking for fosterers or adopters to re-home these cats.

If you are interested to help, please ensure you are able to abide by the following conditions:

• Windows and gates must be meshed, with photo evidence to be provided
• Cats must be kept strictly indoors
• If, for whatever reason, the adopter or fosterer is unable to keep the cat, the cat must be returned to the volunteers
• Home visits must be allowed

Siau did not reveal the exact number of cats involved. However, according to a photo she posted, there appear to be at least 10.

Some of the cats are tame while others are more skittish, Siau added.

Anyone who is able to help should drop her a personal message.

Here is her Facebook post:

AVA statement

According to an AVA statement, they stated that they received feedback about the alleged abandonment of cats at Marsiling Lane in December 2018.

They conducted investigations "but there was insufficient evidence that the cats were abandoned".

They also added that they require the cooperation of the public to report suspected cases of abandonment and provide evidence, in the form of photos or videos, to support the report.

This is their full statement:

In December 2018, AVA received feedback that about 10 cats were allegedly abandoned at Marsiling Lane. AVA conducted investigations but there was insufficient evidence that the cats were abandoned. AVA has since worked with the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) to conduct neutering operations on unsterilised cats in the area under the Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme* (SCSP). 

*Currently, AVA works with the CWS and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on stray cat sterilisation. Under the SCSP, AVA subsidises the cost of sterilising and micro-chipping stray cats

Safeguarding animal welfare is a shared responsibility

2           In order for AVA to take enforcement action against alleged abandonment cases, we need the cooperation of the public to report suspected cases of abandonment and provide evidence (e.g. photographs, videos, etc) to support the report. Additional information, such as written statements to serve as evidence in court, and witnesses who are willing to testify in court will also help to support the case.

3           We urge members of the public to play their part by being vigilant and promptly reporting animal abandonment cases to AVA via our 24-hour hotline, 1800-476-1600. All information shared with AVA will be held in the strictest confidence.

Top photo composite image via FB/Siau Li Chao & Volatilde, Wikipedia