Cats in flats Delight as covert pets finally given legal status

Tommy is, without doubt, the head of his household. If he wants the air conditioning on, he simply glares at the unit on the wall. If he wants an early night, he'll miaow for the TV to be silenced. But, until now, Tommy has been living in violation of a law that bans cats from much of Singapore's housing.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe

This year, the 34-year-old ban will be overturned, allowing the city's many fugitive cats to breathe a sigh of relief.

Tommy's owner, Adam, who spoke under a pseudonym because he is breaking the regulation, says he can't understand why the ban existed in the first place. "Normally for cats, they're not a problem. Maybe a dog [could be a problem] - they're noisy, and if a dog bites you're in trouble," he said.

The ban, which carries a fine of up to 4,000 Singapore dollars (US$3,000) and the risk of a pet's eviction, is widely flouted in the city state of 6 million people, otherwise known for its law-abiding culture. While the rule is rarely enforced, owners can face problems if neighbours complain.

The ban applies to high-rise blocks run by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), set up in 1960 to solve a housing crisis that saw many living in overcrowded settlements without proper sanitation. Today, about 80% of the population live in HDB flats.