WE REFER to the article, 'National Day treat: Singapura cats at zoo' (ST, July 23). The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) is disappointed to see that the Singapura cat, while undoubtedly lovely, is being promoted to celebrate National Day. There has been significant controversy about its origins, with doubts as to whether the cat came from Singapore in the first place.

While there have always been cats by the Singapore River, it is highly unlikely that any of them were ever Singapuras. The Singapura is, ironically, not indigenous to Singapore and, as a pure-bred cat, has never been common here. We believe the four Singapuras on display were imported into Singapore.

Why not promote the thousands of beautiful local cats, which are unique and which are being killed by the thousand each year? Many a tourist we have met has mistakenly thought that our local cats were Singapuras and remarked on their beauty. They are always surprised that we promote a cat which is not common to our country.

We are a maturing country, growing in confidence in our own identity. Let us celebrate what we truly are. CWS looks forward to the day when all Singaporeans look at our local cats and realise that they, too, are truly Singaporean and deserve to be celebrated.

DAWN KUA (MS)
Director of Operations
Cat Welfare Society