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The government will examine the possibility of allowing pet cats in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, said Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How.

This is part of ongoing efforts to promote the well-being of pet and community cats.

Public survey

Speaking at the Mar. 2 Committee of Supply, Tan referenced the public survey issued in September 2022 in which members of the public were invited to share their views about cat welfare and management.

Allowing cat ownership in HDBs — a long-prohibited activity — was one of the topics surfaced in that survey.

Tan noted that the government has consulted "extensively" on this framework and has so far received more than 30,000 responses.

"We are conducting a detailed analysis of the results and will share our findings when ready," Tan said.

Animal cruelty

He also responded to Members of Parliament Louis Ng and Leon Perera, who asked about the possibility of raising penalties for offences surrounding animal abuse and cruelty.

The government is currently reviewing the Animals and Birds Act, "including the possibility of enhancing penalties for animal cruelty and abuse".

The government will consult the public and stakeholders and share more details when available, Tan added.

He concluded: "So I can assure Mr Ng, we are not pussyfooting around this issue. And certainly this is not a cat-and-mouse game."

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