Annex H - Miscellaneous

                                            Literature Review

                                    

Zahid's review

How to approach a stray cat

Try to approach the cat to check for a license or tags for rabies. Speak softly to the cat as you approach, and maybe even bring a strong-smelling food like tuna or dried liver. If the cat is nervous, do not push your luck. At best, you will scare it away, but you may also be injured by the cat. If you cannot approach the cat or if it doesn't have tags or a license, either try to trap the cat yourself, or call Animal Control or a local animal shelter. They are probably not able to assist directly in trapping the cat. Feral cats are poorly-suited to survive cold winters, so will ideally receive medical care food, and outdoor shelter, while stray cats are not equipped to fend for themselves at all. (http://www.wikihow.com/Handle-a-Stray-Cat)

Jun Yang's review

How to check for feline rabies

By being near cats,we have a chance of getting feline rabies.We should avoid cats with poor coordination, conjunctivitis, yowling, drooling, fever, strange behavior, depression and weight loss.(http://animal.discovery.com/pets/5-most-dangerous-cat-diseases.htm-claimed to have referred to The Merck Veterinary Manual)

While approaching a cat to study it,speak softly to it as we approach,and stay alert for bites and scratches even if it seems fairly relaxed or risk getting bitten.(http://www.wikihow.com/Handle-a-Stray-Cat) 

To check for a stray cat’s health,check if its ears has any signs of bleeding,  debris, dirt or wax. Look for signs of ear mites (reddish/brown discharge in the ear,  bleeding from the ear, coffee-grounds like appearance in the ear, scratch marks, odour).Check the edge of the cat’s ears for thickening, scaling,  lesions & redness. Look for lumps, bumps or any swellings on the ear.Eyes should be bright and clear with no redness,swelling or discharge.Should they show any sign of unhealthiness it is best not to approach them.(http://www.cat-world.com.au/performing-monthly-health-checks-on-your-cat)

Hannah's review

What does the goverment say about stray cats? 

http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20051112/051118-2.htm

Maintaining an estate devoid of cats does not equate with social responsibility. Neither is feeding strays socially irresponsible. 

As a country with first-world infrastructure, the Town Council's aim of a stray-less Tampines shows Singapore's backward mentality. The anti-cat stance harks back to medieval Europe's prosecution of cats, which were branded as heretical due to their role in "pagan" worship. 

In the same period that the church sponsored the Grand Inquisition, cats were tortured. Europe's cat population shrank to less than 10 per cent of its former numbers. 

Despite the efforts, cats rapidly multiplied and attacked the plentiful food supply: the disesase-carrying rats. There is evidence that the plague ended partly due to the rise in the number of cats.

Similarly, after the Agri-Vetirinary Authority cancelled the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme in 2003 and killed more cats, a rat extermination scheme was launched later that year. More taxpayers’ money was spent as a result.

There is benefits of interaction with animals and how children exposed to pets develop tolerance, compassion and social responsibility. Unfortunately, the actions taken by the Town Council instilled negative values in children, the intolerance of other living beings in our community and the acceptance of a humans-only neighbourhood.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong had one stated during his walkabout in Kim Keat that it is not illegal to feed stray cats, but it must be done responsibly. Unless Singaporeans are proud of this attitude, the Tampines Town Council must change.

Jun You's review

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease mainly carried by felines, and infects most warm-blooded animals including humans. Stray cats are the primary source of infection to human hosts, as sometimes street cleaners may come into contact with cat feces, mixed in soil or in its original form. This fecal contamination of hands is very hazardous as the street cleaner’s hands might come into contact with doorknobs that other people are likely to use as well, thereby contaminating others. Contamination might also occur upon contact with the stray cat’s body. Upon accidental ingestion via contact with food, the victim will experience a variety of symptoms ranging from muscle aches to brain or eye damage.

However, cats are not the main source of Toxoplasmosis. Contact with raw meat is a larger cause of infection than contact with cats or their feces. However, as most Singaporeans rarely come into contact with uncooked meat, we should exercise caution while either petting stray cats, playing with soil or contacting raw meat. If we should happen to participate in those activities, we should wash our hands with soap thoroughly afterwards to minimize risk of infection.