Different Purrspectives

Three friends with different mindsets visit a kitten sanctuary for the first time

Story by: Tang Yi Qing | Photos by: Tang Yi Qing, Lee Sue Jean

Kitten Sanctuary lies in Bugis. Surrounding it are coffee shops and as the only non-food business there, it is hard to miss. 

SO WHAT IS KITTEN SANCTUARY?

Kitten Sanctuary Singapore (KiSS) started out to rescue cats. The sanctuary not only houses adopted cats but also provides lessons to new cat owners to teach them how to take care of a new pet.

Three friends visited Kitten Sanctuary with an open mind. 

FROM A DOG LOVER:

18-year-old me was initially scared of visiting KiSS because handling cats was foreign to me. However, my heart melted at the first sight of the furry animals. 

During the tour, I shared that I was not used to handling cats. The volunteers at the sanctuary taught me the difference between playing with cats and dogs. In the end, I learnt a lot and got comfortable playing with cats!

FROM A CAT LOVER:

Sue Jean, 19, is a cat lover who visits pet cafes regularly. Unlike the usual cafes she visits, KiSS was a unique experience. Her highlight of the tour was visiting the kitten nursery where she got to cradle tiny kittens with guidance from the volunteers. 

As this was Sue Jean’s first time visiting a shelter, it opened her mind up about the ‘adopt, don’t shop’ movement. She said, “I admire how they facilitate adoption. There are many stray cats that need all the help they can get.” She encourages everyone who’s looking for a pet to adopt.

FROM SOMEONE WHO’S SCARED OF CATS:

Hazirah, 19, is terrified of cats. At the beginning of the tour, she did not want to interact with the cats. However, the volunteers at the sanctuary were understanding and helped her step out of her comfort zone. 

In the short span of 90 minutes, she conquered her fear and petted a cat for the first time ever. “It was really scary at first because we were introduced to the more agile cats, but once we reached the older cats, it was easier for me to touch and pet them,” she shared.

As for her fear, she says that it is not entirely gone, but with this positive experience, she finds herself more comfortable around cats.

CONCLUSION:

This visit was a new experience for everyone. We each came with our own different perspectives and left with a change of heart. It's safe to say that we will all be going back soon.

Watch our Kitten Sanctuary vlog here!