[文化] 新加坡猫咪博物馆 萌萌的(3)

　　"I think we have changed the perspective of some people. Previously they may have thought that it would be a better idea to buy exotic cats, because they are more exclusive and expensive as opposed to local cats, and also people realize how easy it is to take care of a cat."

　　Shukor says giving the cats exposure to human visitors on a regular basis helps them to relax and display their true character.

　　Potential cat adopters also get a better idea of the cat's temperament.

　　Peck Lee Zheng recently adopted a kitten from the museum.

　　"It's very different from the cat cafe that we have around here, because it is a non-profit organization, it's more about educating the people, teaching them how local kitties are, and how not to just buy, we can adopt too, save a life and adopt instead of buying."

　　Seet hopes the museum and its cats will help change some of the public's general fears about the animals.

　　She knew that fear first hand, as she was once also afraid of cats, worried about their sharp claws or being bitten.

　　She grew up surrounded by dogs and hardly had any access to cats.

　　As a child, her mother would always pull her away from stray cats on the streets, warning her about their claws.

　　But all that changed in her 30's, when a friend took her to pet shops and she touched different cats and kittens.

　　And her life changed forever when the same friend gave her a grey and white British Shorthair cat.

　　She named him after a Hollywood actor.

　　"I was still a little bit terrified of their claws, but eventually I saw what eventually became my first cat and I named him Brad Pitt. And I completely fell in love with him. He was adorable, he was gentle, he was sweet and extremely loving as well. And the second he starts to purr in your arms, you really start to bond with the animal. And since then I am a complete convert. I still love dogs, but cats is really my thing."

　　Seet has since added eight other cats, with all of them adopted or rescued locally.

　　Harry, the three-year old ginger tabby, was Seet's first rescued stray cat.

　　Seet found Harry living on the museum's very own Purvis Street.

　　Cross-eyed Harry is also the official ambassador of the Lion City Kitty cat museum.

　　Seet says that Harry's mixed breed origin makes him a good example that reflects some of the history of cats in Singapore.

　　Seet's own cats stay at The Mansion floor in the museum, which also showcases artworks from local and international artists.

　　Aside from finding homes for the orphaned cats, the other goal of the museum is to inspire more local artists to come forward to create artworks featuring cats.

　　She finds the response from museum visitors very encouraging.

　　Seet also hopes to expand into cat therapy programmes in the near future.

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