PETALING JAYA: Keeping pets in high-rise residences requires owners to balance their animals’ well-being with limited space, hygiene and consideration for neighbours.
For 26-year-old Mohd Shafiq Aiman, who keeps three cats in his condominium, responsible ownership means maintaining cleanliness and ensuring his pets have sufficient space and stimulation.
He said keeping them indoors allowed him to monitor their health and behaviour while protecting them from outdoor risks such as traffic, diseases and getting lost.
“One advantage of living in a condominium is that the enclosed environment makes it easier to keep my cats indoors and monitor them.
“However, space can be a limitation, especially when you have multiple pets.
“Having pets should not come at the expense of a clean and comfortable home, either for yourself or your neighbours,” he said, adding that he had never received complaints from neighbours or the joint management body.
For 34-year-old Suraya Azmi, however, limited space eventually forced her to find new homes for some of her cats as their numbers grew beyond what she could manage.
She said keeping all the cats in one room initially became impractical, prompting her to let them roam around the unit.
However, this led to complaints from some neighbours over cleanliness, odour and animal waste.
“Honestly, it was not easy to accept that I could no longer care for all of them as I used to. I love them and have grown attached to them, but I also have to be realistic about my own limitations.”
She has since managed to find several new owners for some of the cats.
“Although it is difficult to let go of cats that have been with me for so long, I believe it is the right decision for their well-being. I also have to consider my family and the neighbours,” she said.
For 32-year-old Intan Syuhada Akhir, who became a cat owner after rescuing a stray near a shop lot, keeping the pet safe was a priority.
She said she installed a higher safety barrier around the balcony and provided toys to keep Pekan, the cat, occupied, particularly at night.
Recalling a frightening incident shortly after bringing Pekan home, Intan said it once attempted to escape through a window towards the balcony of her 32nd-floor unit.
“I was absolutely terrified! I actually had to climb out of the window to bring him back inside.”
The experience prompted her to invite other cat owners over to exchange tips on keeping pets in condominiums.
