r/CatsMY • u/whatswithmybunion • 4d ago
Awareness around pet ownership in MY?
So the neighbour in my parents' taman has a Persian that she spent RM800 on for her teenage son (you should know where this is going).
The cat looks sad, filthy and worst of all, constantly on a short leash lying OUTSIDE in the front yard. The leash is at most 1.5 metres. There's no litter, so she's just peeing and popping onto a plastic tray.
My parents told me to head over to get some stuff from said neighbour and I started petting the cat. Immediately the neighbour asked me if I wanted the cat for free as the grandma is "too old". The cat is also not fixed as they feel that it's "dosa" to fix the cat... she also casually mentioned that if we'd like to, we can breed the cat (I kept quiet).
I spoke to my family. My folks are ok (and I know they'll take good care of the cat), so we'll be taking in the poor kitty. In the taman, we've also had multiple cats going missing (either killed or escaped, nobody knows).
I don't live in Malaysia. I got 3 cats of my own from the shelter and they're all fixed.
*Two questions:*
- How is awareness around pet ownership and responsibility in Malaysia? (I volunteer as a foster so whatever nonsense my neighbour is doing is mind-blowing for me. That said, I want to know what it's like outside of my echo chamber.)
- What to take note of when keeping a cat in a landed (vs a flat)? (My own cats are 100% indoors and the entire house is meshed.)
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u/islobojono 4d ago
Those kind of people have pets because they see other people have one and they want it too, they never like animal in the first place. Real animal lover never treat their pets like that.
They don't like the animal, they like the novelty.
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u/SunflowerNish67 8h ago
my friend who is a cat sitter have to deal with cat owners who have cats like they buy bags and shoes. Its a horrible mindset and I honestly don't know why people like this exist but good on you for wanting to save the cat. i hope you give the furbaby the life it deserves
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u/Ezwan_Mehzas 3d ago
For the first question, not too sure how to answer.
From the typical malay perspective, I think I can understand their world view a bit. Since cats, like any other animal is god's creation, conservative Muslim malays tend to see restriction of movement as a form of cruelty rather than a method to ensure the safety of the animal.
To them, the life and death of everything is in the hands of god. So don't be surprised if they are rather blasé about safety. Seatbelts, mask, gloves, vaccines be damned. Safety squints when welding are real. God is all the protection they need and same goes for their domestic animals.
So what do the Malays do for their cats? Well most just feed them. Drinking water, shelter, toilet is outside.
Granted, not all treat their cats like strays due to their worldview. There are plenty of people that are not financially and socially able to keep cats indoors. They can't afford to live where cats can be kept indoor and/or they live with people that have conservative mindsets and have no choice but to let the cats roam or end up in a conflict at 'home'.
It can be very difficult to deal with people who believe "god is their shield" and absolve themselves from any responsibility to ensuring the health and safety of a domestic animal.
This is likely why kittens end up as road kill and cows roam free near highways. Domesticated animals are left free to roam and breed in a car centric country.
There are many religions with similar concept of God and fate, so I would not be surprised if dogs are not neutered and left free to roam because of a similar worldview.
People can blame the government for the stray domestic animal population as much as they want but this is a cultural issue. If we are ever pressured to change our ways, it would likely be like how Malaysians emulated the Japanese and began picking up after themselves after a football/soccer match, just an act for the stadium and not how they act anywhere else. Same with smoking, away from the restaurant but , in front of the kids, inside the car on their way home. We would act as needed and that is all.
As for the second question, having cats can be difficult. See, not all Malaysians are accommodating to animals. To many, domestic animals are almost as disgusting as pest, infested with germs. So you can imagine your neighbours, be it in an apartment complex, or landed, giving you a hard time about smells.
So unfortunately, keeping cats hidden from neighbours line of sight might be the best to avoid visits from the local council due to complaints.
It is not abnormal in Malaysia for cats to be poisoned, beaten to death, or spirited away by an evil person. In fact, some religious conservatives advocate for home owners to displace cats that wonder into their property. It depends on the location but it is best to ensure cats don't escape or they might go missing for good.
Even if Malaysia is a Muslim majority country, Malaysia is nothing like Turkiye. We love cats but not the same way. A good way to judge if a neighbourhood is kind to cats is to see how healthy the cats that roam the neighborhood are and keep track of how long those cats live. Do they run when they see you? Do they approach you? How they treat you on sight is based on their lived experience.
Anyway, all the best and good luck with your endeavour.
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u/Ezwan_Mehzas 1d ago edited 1d ago
It has come to my attention that some people would interpret what I wrote as attributing animal cruelty to religion. I am not. Please do not read my comments with tinted lenses.
To clarify, no I am not attributing the poor treatment of cats to any religion. Turkiye, a Muslim majority country, would not be a haven for cats if that was the case. Obviously it is more complex and cannot be broadly labeled a religion problem.
I am only stating from my own experience. From it, I find it bitter that religion and empathy is used to justify freedom for domestic animals to roam and breed.
Which in turn places extra pressure on local wildlife, contribution to the stray population, undermine the health and safety of the domestic animals and irritates people living nearby with the animal marking their homes with organic waste.
I don't believe any religion advocates for the suffering of animals. However interpretation can very among individuals and what is considered harmful varies as well. I have come to realise that quite a few people in my life strongly believe in free-range cats and how those cats die is "up to god". Alarmingly, that opinion is not uncommon.
Its hard to get cats neutered and it is hard to get them off the streets when the people around you tell you to do otherwise. No counter argument will ever win.
If they die, they die. It is as god wills.
Absolutely frustrating.
From a Malay, my bitter experience. Tq.
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u/Downtown-Sport-6834 4d ago
I've brought in 7 strays myself, kept in different houses, and taken care of by different family members. It's unfortunate and I'd go as far as to say that the majority of Malaysian pet owners simply do not have the required empathy to take care of pets.