S'porean woman makes CNY festive houses for Yishun community cats

Chinese New Year is round the corner and it's time for new things and spring cleaning.

For one woman in Singapore, her preparations extend to the cats in the community.

Janet Chin is sharing the joy with community cats by crafting Chinese New Year-themed cat houses to keep the felines warm and snug in this CNY season of strong winds and heavy rain due to the monsoon season.

Sharing her latest works in a Facebook post on Jan. 13, Chin's designs have won the hearts of people and approval of cat residents in Chong Pang, Yishun.

One black cat was seen utilising the house while eating out of it.

2025's inspiration

Speaking to Mothership, Chin shared that it was her third year making Chinese New Year-themed cat houses for the community cats.

This year, she has made two to mark the occasion and replace the well-worn existing hand-made shelters.

Chin said she wanted to share the "festive spirit" via the cat houses done up in red and with a floral theme.

To do so, Chin used recycled carton boxes, which she obtained from the supermarket, before adding handmade decorations and accessories.

The meticulously crafted houses also took into consideration the concerns that feeders may have.

The upper deck, for example, is for the feeder to put some spare cat food or to store disposable feeding bowls, shared Chin.

The only thing that costs money was the wallpaper, shared Chin, stating that a roll — enough to cover two cat houses — would incur a slight cost of S$5 to S$8.

A seasoned crafter, Chin can do up a cat house within a day when inspiration strikes, she said.

She added that old CNY accessories would work just fine for the boxy shelters.

However, she stressed that it is also incredibly important to be civic-minded:

"My most important advice is: remember to keep the surroundings of the cat corners clean after you have placed the cat house. [Take] regular checks to ensure the towel placed within the house are replaced once they are soiled."

Chin plans to create an additional Chinese New Year-themed house for community cats Mickey and Putih residing at her own block:

"The rest of the Christmas themed houses are still solid and good [for now]. I shall replace them after Chinese New Year."

@janetcashcashchin CNY is round the corner, I need to boost up some festive spirits for the cats !#cathouse #Singaporecathouse #cccarchitects ♬ nhạc nền - BongoCat - Bongo Cat

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Top image from Janet Chin