Potong Pasir residents mourn beloved community cat, 'guardian angel' of MRT station

Potong Pasir residents and frequent visitors to the neighbourhood have set up a memorial to honour their beloved community cat, Hunter, who recently passed away.

Hunter was a special cat to many in Potong Pasir.

The stray cat was a familiar sight at Exit A of the Potong Pasir MRT station, an area where he often liked to relax and wander.

The guardian angel of Potong Pasir

Affectionately called the "guardian angel of Potong Pasir" or the "MRT cutie cat" by residents, Hunter was known for his warm and friendly nature, always welcoming anyone who wanted to pet him.

He was often spotted basking in the sunlight, seen sprawled around near the MRT station.

Residents spoke fondly of his charming personality, saying he made the neighbourhood feel brighter and warmer.

They always looked forward to seeing him as they walked to the MRT, a special addition to their daily routine.

Hunter, a "manja" boy

Irene, who has worked in Potong Pasir for five years, shared with Mothership that Hunter was very "manja"— spoiled and pampered by the community.

A few dedicated caretakers looked after him, cleaning him and even taking him to the vet.

One particular feeder took extra special care of Hunter, bringing him for regular check-ups every month.

She would lovingly clean him and kiss his forehead each time she fed him.

On rainy days, Hunter would charm residents by rubbing his wet fur against their pants, a gesture Irene found irresistibly adorable.

When a few people gather to pet and "sayang" the cute boy, conversations flowed naturally as they chatted about him.

Hunter became a special "glue" that helped bring the Potong Pasir community closer together.

Hunter struggled with bone cancer

On Dec. 10, Irene told Mothership that she spotted Hunter lying motionless and unresponsive on top of a drain a few blocks away from the MRT while she was on the way to work.

Concerned, she snapped a picture and posted it on the "Living in Potong Pasir" Facebook group.

A few minutes later, residents confirmed that it was indeed Hunter.

Apparently, he had been missing since the day before.

Following the post, Hunter's feeder collected his body and promptly arranged for him to be cremated.

Residents shared that Hunter had been battling bone marrow cancer for some time, a condition discovered during one of his check-ups.

A resident also pointed out how the poor boy had to visit the vet multiple times this year.

Hunter, dearly missed

After news of his passing spread, Irene’s post quickly filled with comments from Potong Pasir residents sharing their memories of Hunter and expressing how much they would miss him.

One resident shared how Hunter helped her cope with the loss of her 16-year-old cat.

Each night, she would pat Hunter at the foot of the block, and his purrs offered a small comfort during a difficult time.

Hunter's memorial

On Dec. 11, Irene, along with another resident, set up a memorial at Block 101 near Potong Pasir MRT, where Hunter was often spotted.

What started with a single poster and a flower vase has since gained momentum.

A few residents have added photos of Hunter, alongside heartfelt handwritten messages and hand-drawn doodles dedicated to the beloved ginger cat.

Among the photos is one of Hunter dating back to 2020, around the time that he was first spotted in Potong Pasir. It was accompanied by a note saying, "Dear little Hunter, thank you for being a sweet neighbourhood cat".

One resident also wrote, "We'll miss seeing you wander around and soaking up the sunbeams".

Though a stray, Hunter had found a home in the hearts of Potong Pasir residents, and his loss will be deeply felt.

Top photos courtesy of Irene