Parenting ...how safe are stray cats of Singapore

[ban_sumana]

Dear All,
Thank you for your response and your opinions on the question asked. However, lately it seems we are diverting from the current topic. So, would request you to drop a reply only if you have an update/opinion/answer on the question being asked.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Dear All,
Thank you for your response and your opinions on the question asked. However, lately it seems we are diverting from the current topic. So, would request you to drop a reply only if you have an update/opinion/answer on the question being asked.

Who died and made you boss of the forum?

[JR8]

However, lately it seems we are diverting from the current topic. So, would request you to drop a reply only if you have an update/opinion/answer on the question being asked.

Heavens, I'd have thought the opinion given was about as clear as you might expect from a web-forum, together with real-life accounts no less. What else might you be expecting, to have someone pop up and tell you it's absolutely no problem?

Hmmm

[ban_sumana]

Dear JR8,
Of course, I appreciate your responses and the detail updates ..

And the discussion thread started off with my question on children playing with stray cats- I was hoping to get a poll from people on this topic and I must say, your replies and those of the others who responded helped in putting together a lot of information for me. So, thank you and all of you there for putting down your experience and views!

P.S. - My previous reply was only meant to indicate that we are probably going a little off-track when we are getting into the details of "Komodo Dragon" - didn't mean to offend you or any of the moderators here.

[the lynx]

In summary to everyone's answers in this thread:

Yes for first, no for second.

(To add, my maternal instincts would have let my child to play with stray cats under my supervision, but I would make sure hands are washed right after, no hand-to-face contact and certainly no food/drinks until play time's over. Any rough game from the cat, the child goes to the doctor's - pronto.)

You are welcome.

[JR8]

In summary to everyone's answers in this thread: Yes for first, no for second.

At first I chuckled as I imagined you'd inadvertently got that the wrong way around. Esp. considering your field of employment.

The first is perhaps more discretionary. But you've seen the anecdotes.
The second; I'm not sure how anyone could suggest feral cats here don't carry diseases.

p.s. No problem Ban_s.

[the lynx]

In summary to everyone's answers in this thread: Yes for first, no for second.

At first I chuckled as I imagined you'd inadvertently got that the wrong way around. Esp. considering your field of employment.

The first is perhaps more discretionary. But you've seen the anecdotes.
The second; I'm not sure how anyone could suggest feral cats here don't carry diseases.

p.s. No problem Ban_s.

Yes for first, yes for second. (I misread OP's question)

This is why one needs good coffee/tea for Monday blues.

[Aragorn2000]

There is also a risk contracting this parasite from cats:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Steve1960]

Under no circumstances allow your child to play with any stray animal it's just common sense for all the reasons highlighted in this topic. All animals are unpredictable those you are not familiar with likely to be even more so.

We live in HDB and have educated our 4 year old daughter to stay away from the cats. It was tough as my mother has 3 cats in the UK and our daughter is allowed to pet 2 of them when we visit.

Why not 3? The 3rd is ferrell, she lives quite happily in the house and with the other cats but best not to go near her. I made the mistake of trying to pick her up a few years ago and she tore my hands and arms to pieces in seconds!

[MomKiasu]

Stray cats as usually vaccinated by cat welfare society and routine checks are done to ensure that cats are not going to be carrying diseases. Website: http://www.catwelfare.org                              However, I would still not allow my children to touch stray cats as they may not be too used to human contact and can behave erratically. What I suggest is to adopt a cat instead and get him/her registered as an official pet as it is also illegal to keep pets in your home without registering.