Owners: Pets too need a place to call home

All for pets: A pet-friendly zone at a mall in Petaling Jaya.

GEORGE TOWN: For a growing community of pet lovers, finding the right home is not just about location and luxury.

It is also about ensuring that their furry friends have a place to call home.

Cat lover Mas Errah Amran, 39, said she would seize the opportunity to own a pet-friendly condominium or apartment.

Mas Errah with her pet cat Mochi.

She is raising five cats, all of which she rescued from the streets.

With the cats growing bigger, Mas Errah said she is no longer able to keep them in her flat in Seberang Jaya for fear that they could cause inconvenience to her neighbours.

She has since moved them to her mother’s house in Permatang Pauh.

“I can’t always keep an eye on my cats, and I am worried about them roaming freely and being exposed to danger,” she said.

“But if there are suitable pet-friendly properties available, I would definitely be interested, as it would make life easier for people like us who love pets.”

For now, Mas Errah visits her mother every day to check on her cats before returning to her flat.

This daily routine ensures that her cats are well taken care of, even though it requires extra effort and time on her part.

Grab driver Golver Khoo, 34, has long cherished his dream of living in a vibrant, pet-friendly community where his cat Luna can romp freely in designated parks and meet fellow feline companions.

After months of searching, he found a high-rise development that seemed perfect – a modern executive suite in The Light Waterfront Penang in Gelugor.

Although the project will only be ready in a few years’ time, Khoo has already set his sights on moving there as its amenities and facilities are designed to accommodate pets.

“By staying within a pet-loving community, we encourage interaction and camaraderie among pet owners to strengthen community bonds through shared interests and activities,” he said.

He found a development project to be an ideal choice. There will also be a pet hotel and pet grooming, he said.

On his experience, Khoo said some residents were welcoming, offering friendly nods and even treats for Luna, while others seemed visibly irked by the sight of his four-legged friend.

“Pets should not be seen as a nuisance, but as a source of joy and connection,” he said.

“I just hope my living place can be a home where everyone, whether two- or four-legged, live in harmony and mutual respect.”

A dog lover said not every dog thrives in a pet-friendly condominium, as the noise and distractions could be overwhelming for some.

Wendy Goh, 60, said moving to a designated pet-friendly property would bring unnecessary challenges, mainly due to the concentration of pet owners and the potential rise in barking noise.

“It would be a problem, especially with dog owners who don’t know how to train and manage their pets,” she said.

Goh said being a responsible pet owner should be enough if one wished to keep dogs or cats in their home, particularly in condominiums or apartments.

She raises small dog breeds, which are easier to train and manage.

She added that although some of her neighbours have large dogs, there were no issues so far.