Owners: Pets too need a place to call home

GEOGER TOWN: For those passionate about pets, selecting the ideal home goes beyond location and luxury; it is a quest for a harmonious space that can accommodate their growing family, including their beloved pets.

It is also about providing a sense of belonging and security to their beloved pets.

Cat enthusiast Mas Errah Amran, 39, is keen on taking the initiative to acquire a pet-friendly residential unit, either a condominium or an apartment.

Saya menjaga lima ekor kucing, semua datang dari jalan raya yang elaunya telah saya temui dan menyelamatkan.

As cat owners began to grow, Mrs Errah found it difficult to keep them in her apartment in Seberang Jaya, fearing the bigger cats may become a nuisance to her neighbourhood.

She has moved them to her mother's house in Permatang Pauh afterwards.

“I'm concerned that I won't always be able to keep tabs on my cats and they might get into trouble if they're allowed to roam freely.”

If there were pet-friendly homes available, I'd be more than keen, as it would make things simpler for individuals who have the same fondness for pets as us.

For the time being, Errah visits her mother daily to confirm her cats' well-being before heading back to her own home.

Her daily routine is carefully planned to ensure her feline friends are given the attention they need, although this commitment demands more of her time and energy.

Grab driver Golver Khoo, 34, has always harboured the desire to live in a lively neighborhood where his pet cat Luna can run freely in designated pet parks and socialise with other cats.

After several months of searching, he finally discovered a high-rise project that perfectly suited his needs - a sleek and modern executive suite located at The Light Waterfront Penang in Gelugor.

Khoo is already eyeing to move into the development when it is ready in a few years' time, thanks to its pet-friendly amenities and facilities that have piqued his interest.

“Within a community that cherishes pets, members can engage in mutual understanding and friendships by participating in both fun-filled and meaningful activities that derive from a common passion for pets,” he added.

He has chosen a development project that seems perfect for him, which also includes a pet hotel and pet grooming services, he mentioned.

Khoo shared his personal experience, stating that some locals greeted him warmly, but others looked displeased upon seeing Luna.

"Saya percaya hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai hai"
(523 words, translate "Pets should not be seen as a source of annoyance, but of happiness and togetherness.")

I do hope my home can be a place where all who live there, regardless of being humans or animals, are able to coexist peacefully in compassion for one another.

Not every dog will flourish in a pet-friendly condominium, due to the inherent noise and distraction of living in such an environment.

Negeri sime Wendy Goh, 60, berkata, untuk berpindah ke sebuah hartanah yang membenarkan jenis hewani akan menimbulkan cabaran yang tidak perlu, utamanya kerana konsentrasi pemilik haiwan dan potensi peningkatan bunyi anjing bersenandung.

"It will be especially challenging for people who own dogs but do not possess the knowledge to train and take care of them," she said.

The individual opines that being a responsible pet owner should suffice to allow dogs or cats in their residential space, especially in condominiums and apartments.

She keeps small dog breeds, which are simpler to train and handle.

She mentioned that even though some of her neighbours own large dogs, there has been no problem encountered yet.