Hello there! I’m Syawa, a 22-year-old cat lover who managed to welcome two cats into a no-cat-policy household within six months. You might be curious how I pulled that off— don’t worry, I’ll get to that.
I’ve always wanted a cat. You know how it is, you see cute cat videos online and think, “Aw, I want a cat!” Sometimes, the urge gets so strong that you start browsing adoption listings. But just when you find your perfect cat, you remember your mom has an anti-pet policy. Total bummer.
Despite the anti-cat policy, my sister and I decided to just go for it this year and get not one cat, but two. Because sometimes, asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission, right? Of course, we didn’t get them both at the same time – we’re not that bold.
Mom was definitely not a cat person. Her strong dislike for cats stemmed from childhood: she once witnessed a rather graphic scene of a mother cat giving birth. But cats have a unique way of sneaking into our hearts, and for my family, that has certainly been the case with Billy (Maine Coon) and Snowy (Bengal). And luckily, the cats we have would not revive my mother’s childhood trauma. Well, male cats aren’t the ones giving birth.
Snowy, the first cat, was brought home by my sister, Ly. While browsing adoption listings, she found a couple looking to rehome their cats before moving back to Johor.
To be honest, Snowy wasn’t even our first choice; it was his sibling who initially caught our eye and prompted the visit. But after meeting all the cats, Ly fell in love with Snowy, and that’s how he became a part of our family.
Snowy is just a year old, making him the more active and mischievous of the two. He often causes chaos and doggedly follows my mum around the house. He also frequently gets the zoomies – bursts of sudden energy that cause him to sprint around.
Whether I’m sound asleep or getting ready for work, his sudden dashes often startle me. He also loves disturbing Billy, jumping on him while he’s sleeping, biting him, or chasing him around the house–younger sibling behaviour, annoying the older one any chance he gets.
Despite the mischief he makes, Snowy’s charm more than makes up for the chaos he brings and my sister fervently insists he’s a “good boy”.
Billy is the cat I fell in love with at first sight, and I’ve known him since he was a kitten (2021). I constantly pestered his owner at the time my friend, to send more pictures and videos. On the rare occasions we met, Billy would hide away and get very skittish when I came close. Despite mostly seeing him through the screen, I fell completely in love with Billy.
In April, my friend was looking to rehome Billy and asked if I wanted to adopt him. We already had Snowy, and my mom was still getting comfortable with a cat at home. But how could I say no to such a miraculous offer? Absolutely not! I jumped at the chance to bring Billy home.
While having Billy and Snowy around brings so much joy, it’s also important to acknowledge more serious parts of cat ownership–responsibilities and costs. One of the main challenges I’ve faced is the increase in expenses. Wet food, toys, litter, and regular vet visits can add up quickly.
Thus, before adopting a cat it’s crucial to ensure that you are more than able to take care of both yourself and your pet. Proper budgeting and planning can help manage these additional costs without feeling overwhelmed!
As a relatively new pet owner, when I first heard about the new cat licensing scheme starting September 1st this year, I was concerned about how it would affect me.
Here’s a quick recap of the news: Under the new legislation, all pet owners are required to microchip, sterilize and obtain licenses for their cats. Additionally, there’s a new rule limiting the number of cats allowed per household to 2. Although, if you already have more than 2 cats before it is implemented, you’re safe. You just need to make sure that you have applied for a license to confirm the legal existence of your cats.
After reading through the legislation, I realized I needed to check with my friend to ensure Billy was microchipped and sterilized. He was sterilized but not microchipped, so I took him to get microchipped for just $45. Snowy, on the other hand, had both procedures done when my sister brought him home, so there were no worries there!
Apart from pet expenses, time management is also another aspect of pet ownership. I work seven days a week, and it requires a conscious effort from me to balance my life with the needs of Billy and Snowy. I make sure to spend quality time with them, giving them the attention they need.
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After long, exhausting days at work, coming home to their company keeps me sane, calm, and happy. Billy in particular, is super clingy and always makes me feel loved and appreciated. Whenever I’m home, he follows me around everywhere and tries to stay as close to me as possible. He even sits right outside the door whenever I’m inside, so I’ve almost stepped on him a few times when leaving the room.
During online meetings, he loves walking in front of the laptop and blocking the entire view, which, thankfully my colleagues absolutely adore.
Though owning cats has been a transformative experience, it is important to realise that you are not just getting a cute, furry friend to cuddle and play with. Pet ownership is offering another living being a home out of the kindness of your heart.
Pets are a commitment, not a plaything you can choose to bring into your homes on a whim. Owning pets is a sacrifice: decisions such as planning holidays, moving house and choosing a partner who loves animals as equally as you, are now more complicated. Cats have a special way of making a house into a home, and Billy and Snowy have done just that for us—their presence has deepened our capacity for love and care.
As cat ownership in HDBs is legitimised this September, remember to reflect deeply on your commitment to offering a pet a home.
Although our furry friends may not be with us forever, the memories we carry are shaped by how we treat them. Whether they’re our pets or strays we encounter, it’s our responsibility to fill their time here with as much love, care and kindness as possible.