The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore is urging cat owners to take more safeguards to prevent their pets from falling to their deaths after two incidents occurred at the same HDB block in Bukit Panjang within a month.
The incidents, which took place at Block 646A Senja Close, involved two cats that were found dead below the block, both wearing pink collars. The SPCA was alerted to the latest incident by a resident who heard a loud thud and found the deceased cat at around 9.30pm.
The SPCA has escalated the case to the authorities for further investigation and has urged cat guardians to fully mesh the doors, gates, and windows of their homes and keep their cats strictly indoors to prevent such deaths.
“Even if your cat does not normally wander out, sudden noises can spook him/her and prompt a dash to the nearest exit,” said SPCA’s executive director Aarthi Sankar.
The SPCA was not alerted to the first incident, which occurred a month earlier, but was made aware of it through a Facebook post. The post suggested that the cat involved in the first incident also had a pink collar.
The SPCA has reminded cat owners that strictly-indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats due to lower risks of dangerous encounters, including high-rise syndrome.
“It is our duty, as pet guardians, to ensure our pets’ wellbeing,” Sankar added.
The incidents have sparked concern among cat owners and residents in the area, with some calling for more to be done to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
“How to stop this people from their irresponsible act? Went up to every level and no one admitted to it,” wrote one user on Facebook.
The SPCA has urged anyone with information about the incidents to contact the authorities or the SPCA’s 24-hour hotline at 6287 5355.