Tengah Community Cats: A Gentle Initiative to Protect, Heal, and Connect

What This Group Is About

The private Telegram group "Tengah Community Cats" is a quiet, resident-led initiative created to care for the stray cats living in Tengah. It's not linked to any government organisation, and it's entirely non-profit. Just neighbours coming together—sharing sightings, coordinating care, and doing what we can to protect the cats already here. The group is gentle, non-performative, and emotionally safe. Most of us show up quietly, without fanfare—just a shared intention to help.

How It Started (The Origin Story)

When I first moved into Tengah, there were already a few stray cats around the estate. Most were quiet and kept to themselves—but one of them, Crook, was loud. A few of us neighbours naturally started looking out for them.

One day, a young neighbour, Ru, gently suggested that I start a group to gather people who care about the cats. I appreciated the idea, but I hesitated. My energy was already stretched thin, and I didn't want to take on something that might grow beyond what I could hold—especially after the Tengah CCS leaking issue left me feeling stretched and burdened.

I didn't create the group right away. I was still unsure—worried that it might take too much out of me, or that it would grow into something I couldn't manage. But then I had an encounter with a neighbour who seemed oddly hostile toward the cats. Her tone was sarcastic, and she clearly didn't approve of people feeding strays.

That moment shifted something. I realised that if we didn't have a space to coordinate care and protect the cats, they'd be left vulnerable—not just to neglect, but to misunderstanding and resentment.

So I created the group.

Why the Group Name Changed

At first, the group was meant to be small—just a way to support Tengah's Plantation Acres estate and gather a few neighbours who were concerned about the cats. We started sharing sightings, coordinating feeding, and soon, planning for trapping and neutering.

As the cats were sterilised and some found loving homes within the estate, we began noticing more strays in the neighbouring Tengah areas—places where not many residents had moved in yet. Some of us became overly stretched as we ventured into unfamiliar estates, navigating barricades and maze-like paths. The cats frequently explored different Tengah estates.

Seeing this, I decided to rename the group to Tengah Community Cats to reflect our intention of helping more cats. It was never about expansion—it was simply acknowledging the reality: the cats we were helping weren't just in one corner of Tengah. They were part of the wider estate, and so were the people quietly stepping up to care for them.

What We Do—and Why

We prioritise the welfare of the cats. That's always been the core of this group.

We don't want their population to surge, because that would overwhelm the kind neighbours, including students and elderly, who are already feeding them out of their own pocket money. Many are still settling into their new flats and dealing with personal challenges. We know it's not easy.

That's why we trap and neuter the cats before they multiply. It's not just about numbers—it's about protecting the cats from future neglect, and protecting the feeders from burnout.

Whenever possible, we try to get the cats adopted. A safe, loving home is the best outcome. But we also know that new stray cats will continue to step into Tengah in the near future. It's a cycle that may never end.

Still, we do our best. Because having too many stray cats around—especially if they're not well cared for—can affect all residents. We're not just helping the cats. We're helping the community too.

The Help That Found Us

When the group first started, there were just a few of us. We needed to trap cats, transport them to the vet, and cover medical bills. Some residents began crowd-funding to help, which was deeply appreciated. But I also knew that relying on donations alone would eventually exhaust people. That's why I hoped to gather as much non-monetary help as possible, from wherever it could come.

Early on, I invited two friends from my volunteering group—both non-Tengah residents. They were always ready to help, even offering transport when needed. But in the end, they remained as quiet back-ups. I've always believed that helping the Tengah community cats is also about helping Tengah residents—and that residents should be the ones to step forward.

Thankfully, many did. Our neighbours have been kind, and somehow, we've managed to get things done without needing to activate my friends.

That said, we've also received support from non-residents, including family members of residents, who stepped in proactively. Their kindness reminds me that this group isn't just about Tengah. It's about the quiet souls across Singapore who care—not for credit, but because they can't look away.

The Cats We've Helped

Over time, we've helped several cats through this group—some were trapped and neutered, some found loving homes through adoption or fostering (while waiting for adoption), and others are still being cared for by kind neighbours.

Each cat has its own story. Some were loud and expressive, like Crook. Others were quiet, hiding under benches or bushes until trust was slowly built. The most popular one was Princess, who got cosy with everyone almost immediately. Bunbun was another top hit—food-driven and always eager to make friends.

Queenie was a different kind of challenge. She was fiercely hostile at first—hissing, swiping, and refusing to come near anyone. A few of us even sustained minor injuries from her. Eventually, the rest of the feeders began spending hours with her daily, gently feeding and building trust. After many failed attempts, we hired professional trappers who finally managed to send her to the vet. Once she was released back into the estate, we continued accompanying her—quietly, patiently. Eventually, she followed me into the void deck instead of hiding inside the bushes even during heavy rain. After months of effort, Queenie not only trusted us, but also allowed strangers to pet her. That transformation remains one of our greatest achievements.

We don't claim to have helped every cat in Tengah. But for the ones we've reached, we've done our best to give them safety, dignity, and care.

Frustrating Challenge We've Faced

One of the biggest challenges we've encountered was when a woman from Henderson (now a Tengah resident) began relocating cats into Tengah on her own. She didn't coordinate with anyone, and her actions created unnecessary stress—for the cats, for the feeders, and for the residents. She even separated cats that were closely bonded. Most of the cats that were moved to her estate eventually left.

Several residents from both Henderson and Tengah who had interacted with her expressed concern about her mental well-being. She believes feeders are harmful and accuses them of trying to poison the cats.

But cats aren't objects to be moved around. They're territorial, sensitive, and deeply affected by sudden changes. Relocating them without proper planning can lead to fights, injuries, and emotional distress. It also places an extra burden on the feeders who are already stretched thin trying to care for the existing strays.

We understand that some people may act out of concern. But decisions like this need to be made with care, communication, and respect for the community. That's why we ask: please don't move cats into Tengah without coordination. It's not just about logistics—it's about protecting the cats and the people who care for them.

Other Challenges

As the group began to attract more members, I started anticipating new challenges.

Some residents who joined were already known in the estate—often spoken about by neighbours who had difficult experiences with them. A few are outspoken and highly opinionated, and some have a history of stirring conflict in other community spaces. I also worry about the safety and comfort of our female residents.

The ex-Henderson lady later sent someone into the group to spread falsehoods, including claims that government and non-profit organisations had given her permission to relocate cats—cats that were registered under another feeder's name. These accusations created confusion and tension, especially among newer members who weren't familiar with the full story. One regular feeder even told me privately that she would step back if more cats were relocated by this individual.

As the group's founder, I've always hoped to keep this space free from politics and drama. However, with more members and private messages coming in—often from individuals who prefer not to speak publicly—it has been emotionally draining. I'm doing my best to hold the space gently, but the pressure is real, and my energy is limited.

What I Learned the Hard Way

In early February 2025, I was alerted to a kitten trapped on a rooftop.

I climbed up to help, but the kitten was terrified of humans. I wasn't a cat owner and had little experience with cats—only what I'd learned from caring for dogs. So I tried to be patient. I fed the kitten slowly, hoping it would come closer. After a few days, it did—eventually. But it still needed more time to feel safe.

Then a friend found out and urged me to grab the kitten to get it off the rooftop quickly. I gave in to the pressure and did what I thought was right. But I did it the wrong way.

After walking some distance with the kitten, it panicked. It scratched, then bit me—hard. Three deep punctures. The bleeding didn't stop for hours.

In that moment of injury, my mind was racing. I had promised my wife I'd return home soon that night. Instead, I found myself in deep trouble—bleeding, in pain, and knowing full well that this would impact my already challenging work life.

That night, I ended up at a nearby clinic after midnight, getting injections and treatment. The pain lasted for weeks. It affected my work as a photographer, and my wife—already worried about my finances and time management—banned me from getting physically involved with cat rescues.

For over six months, I had to excuse myself from any missions. It wasn't just the injury. It was the emotional toll. The guilt. The reminder that good intentions aren't always enough.

This is also the reason I get very upset whenever anyone gets injured.

Why This Matters to My Photography Clients

If you've noticed slower replies or limited availability for shoots, this is why.

Outside of studio hours, I've been helping coordinate care for stray cats in Tengah—trapping, neutering, supporting feeders, and responding to emergencies. It's not a side project. It's a quiet commitment to protect lives that often go unseen.

This work has deepened my photography practice. It's taught me even more about patience, presence, and emotional truth. It's also led me to offer cat photography sessions—a way to honour the quiet beauty of feline companionship.

Whether it's a rescued stray or a beloved house cat, I aim to capture their spirit with the same care we offer in the streets of Tengah.

You can explore those sessions here:
👉 Cat Photography by Skai Chan

A Quiet Hope

This group wasn't created to be big. It wasn't meant to be loud. It began as a quiet way to protect the stray cats already living in Tengah—and to support the kind neighbours who were already helping them.

I never expected it to grow. I never expected to be managing so many concerns, messages, and emotional dynamics. But here we are.

If you're part of this group, thank you for being here. Whether you feed, observe, share sightings, or simply care quietly from afar—you're part of the reason this space still exists.

I may not always reply quickly. I may not be able to hold every conversation. But I'm doing my best to keep this group emotionally safe, free from drama, and focused on what matters: the cats, the community, and the quiet acts of care that hold it all together.