SINGAPORE – Cat cafe Cuddles, the cat cafe currently under
investigation over several cat deaths and complaints about its
training, confirmed today (Dec 16) that seven cats had passed away
under their care since December last year.
In a lengthy Facebook post to address public concerns over these
deaths, the cafe said none of its cats have passed away since its
opening three months ago. Of the seven cat deaths before its
opening, three were from sterilisation and veterinary complications
while four were due to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), said
the cafe.
TODAY earlier reported that the cafe, which opened at *SCAPE in
mid-September, is being investigated by the Agri-Food &
Veterinary Authority (AVA) over several cat deaths and complaints
about its training for staff, among other things. The allegations
were made by some ex-employees of the cafe. Cafe owner Jonathan Tan
had earlier confirmed the cat deaths — which occurred after
sterilisation or due to feline infectious peritonitis — but
declined to say how many had died.
Today, the cafe posted detailed accounts of the seven deaths.
A nine-month old male cat by the name of Cookies, for example,
developed a anaphylactic reaction – a serious and rapid allergic
reaction that may cause death – to sedation administered before the
sterilisation. This was despite the cat being certified completely
healthy for sterilisation by a vet, and having no pre-existing
medical conditions, said the cafe.
With regards to the FIP infection, the cafe said the infection is a
mutation of Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV). FECV itself is “very
common” especially in places where large groups of cats are kept
together, such as animal shelters, the cafe said.
Exposure to FECV often produces no clinical signs and carriers of
this virus may pass the infection to another cat. In cats with weak
immune systems, such as very young and very old cats, the chances
of mutation to FIP – which is fatal and incurable – increases, they
said.
Adding that they hope members of public will now be able to
evaluate the deaths as fairly as possible, the cafe said: “We love
our cats a lot, and we want the best for them. None of us here at
Cuddles would want any of our cats to pass away. We have consulted
with experienced vets on the topics of sterilisation and Feline
Infectious Peritonitises.”
They added: “Nonetheless, we apologise to the public for any upset
caused. We understand that there are more publications and rumours
being spread. We will do our best to answer each and everyone of
these allegations in due time.”
Investigations are currently
underway by the AVA.
Facebook comments made in reaction to the cafe’s statement were
largely negative and cafe staff were seen engaging the
commenters.
A Facebook user by the name of Zuraidah Banafee was not persuaded
by the cafe’s explanation. “We have a number of other cat cafes
here, many have been around longer and some new. The fact that
Cuddles has been the ONLY one in the news for all the wrong reasons
to no end, speaks for itself,” she said.
Another user, Weixing Changprom, criticised the environment the
cats were immersed in.
“The cats are just like your little chess pieces to manipulate your
business, in all honesty from my experience of 15 years of keeping
cats, cats don’t need to be around an environment where tons of
strangers come touching them, screaming and laughing at volume
detrimental to a cat’s hearing,” he said.
Some users expressed appreciation for the cafe’s detailed
explanation. Ms Danella Lim, who described herself as a regular
visitor at the cafe, said the cafe had always briefed visitors on
how to handle the cats.
“I’m sure no one wants to see another living being die without
cause or at least without attempting some form of medical
intervention,” she wrote. “Cuddles Cat Cafe has attempted to
provide a very detailed explanation as to the reasons why these
unfortunate events have occurred yet it is not sufficient for
many.”
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