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New Paper
2 days ago
- General
- New Paper
Disabled cats shine at Singapore feline show
Mika, a red-and-cream tabby, requires bladder expression three times a day because the three-month-old male kitten is half-paralysed. Awal, seven, is a brown tabby with only three legs after an amputation. Yoona, a brown domestic shorthair, suffers from a spinal injury and is fully paralysed. The four-month-old kitten moves by tossing herself about. The three disabled cats are among the 10 participants of the inaugural Exceptional Category of the 6th The International Cat Association (TICA) Cat Show, held recently at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The TICA Cat Show is part of the Singapore Pet Festival 2025, hosted by Clubpets, a local pet community portal. The Exceptional Category, organised by Feline Club Singapore, was started to honour cats who have overcome immense odds as well as to foster a greater sense of compassion and inclusion within the feline community. It takes a big heart to embrace these special needs animals, and for Mika, Awal and Yoona, they are in the good hands of Ms Julie Chong. The operations coordinator, who is in her 40s, has been looking after cats with special needs and those requiring palliative care for many years. Ms Chong admits that looking after disabled cats needs extra time and can be tiring, as they have to be under close supervision due to their health issues. She explains that special needs cats can develop sores, urinary tract infection, constipation and also colon issues. While Ms Chong is their main caregiver, her helper chips in when she is at work. Mika, in particular, needs help to manually empty his bladder as he is unable to do so on his own. The cats' expenditure is about $2,000 a month, which is spent on their wet food and supplements, as well as other daily necessities, including pee pads and wet wipes. Ms Julie Chong's daughter Aqilah with Yoona (left) and Mika. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JULIE CHONG Ms Chong receives regular donations from friends. She is also raising funds for acupuncture treatments for Yoona and Mika. Time and money aside, she says caring for the cats is rewarding. "They hold a special place in my heart. They wait for me at the gate whenever I get home. They give me headbutts and follow me around. Yoona will start to scream, demanding to be carried," says Ms Chong, who is married with children. Her family members also help out with the cats. At the cat show, Zen, a four-year-old male black Maine Coon, was named the Overall Winner in the Exceptional Category because of his quiet strength and loving personality. All 10 contestants received a rosette, a hamper of food and supplements, and a bottle of veterinary disinfectant. Zen is blind in one eye and his good eye needs constant cleaning. According to his owner Doris Liam, he is perfectly fine, like a "normal cat". The 54-year-old adopted Zen when he was about a year old. A sports instructor for students with disabilities, Ms Liam has another cat, a Persian named Rie, four, whom she adopted along with Zen. Ms Doris Liam (right) and Zen with Ms Michelle Tay from Feline Club Singapore at The International Cat Association Cat Show. PHOTO: FELINE CLUB SINGAPORE Describing Zen as calm, sweet and friendly, Ms Liam says the cat having just one eye has never affected him in any way. Like Rie, Zen brings much joy to the single mum who has two adult daughters. "Zen sleeps with me and wakes me up when the alarm goes off," says Ms Liam, who is his main caregiver. "He will climb onto my chest and sit there, or he will meow near my face until I get up." Zen is a partially blind Maine Coon. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DORIS LIAM For Ms Sheryl Woo, her fully blind cat Monkey, who also took part in the show, is the bully in the family of three female cats. "Like most babies in the family, she always wants to have her way and throws tantrums if she doesn't get it." The three cats were adopted in Doha in 2020, when Ms Woo was working in the Qatari capital. "Monkey was already blind from severe eye infections when I first saw her. She was about three months old. I adopted her a month later," says Ms Woo, 39. Monkey, a domestic medium-hair calico, will turn five in September. She was adopted after Princess, a Persian-British shorthair mix, six, and Cookie, a domestic shorthair calico, also six. Monkey underwent an enucleation surgery - removal of the entire eye globe and surrounding tissues - when she was five months old. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHERYL WOO "Monkey was at risk of being euthanised because of her condition - one eye was cloudy and the other was almost closed," Ms Woo adds. The kitten underwent an enucleation surgery - removal of the entire eye globe and surrounding tissues - when she was five months old. Being blind does not stop Monkey from climbing all over the house, says Ms Woo, adding that her cat sisters cannot keep up with her playing style. Ms Woo, who is single, and her three fur kids moved back to Singapore in October 2022. She spent three months getting them ready for the move, as they needed to be quarantined for a month. It was difficult for Monkey because she did not like being confined in a crate. Relocation cost was about $3,500 a cat. Describing Monkey as one who loves to go out, Ms Woo adds that being blind has never stopped her from being inquisitive, cheeky and mischievous. "She was the first to jump onto the kitchen counter when we moved in and also the first to climb our 'catified' walls once they were installed," she says. Being blind has not stopped Monkey from climbing all over the house. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHERYL WOO What Monkey does in a new space is to walk around it many times, slowly expanding her circle and making a mental map. "Once she's mapped it out, she knows exactly where she's going," Ms Woo explains, adding that Monkey rarely bumps into things. Ms Woo is an advocate for special needs animals and has an Instagram account (@princess_cookie_monkey) documenting her cats' lives. Ms Sheryl Woo (right) and Monkey with Ms Michelle Tay from Feline Club Singapore at The International Cat Association Cat Show. PHOTO: FELINE CLUB SINGAPORE "There's a misconception that special needs cats require a lot more concessions. When I Googled how to care for a blind cat before adopting Monkey, I found so many myths that Monkey has since proven wrong," Ms Woo says. For example, she was told not to move furniture around and to attach bells to people so that Monkey knows when someone is approaching. "A blind cat is just a cat," she says. "Their personality matters more than sight. They are neither fragile nor difficult to care for. They are resilient animals." To include a special needs category in a feline competition is a positive move, she says, as it gives "special cats a chance to be adopted because they are often overlooked".
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
These cats may have disabilities, but they are resilient and capable of being affectionate
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Ms Julie Chong (fourth from right) and her cats Yoona, Awal and Mika at The International Cat Association Cat Show. SINGAPORE – Mika, a red-and-cream tabby, requires bladder expression three times a day because the three-month-old male kitten is half-paralysed. Awal, seven, is a brown tabby with only three legs after an amputation. Yoona, a brown domestic shorthair, suffers from a spinal injury and is fully paralysed. The four-month-old kitten moves by tossing herself about. The three disabled cats are among the 10 participants of the inaugural Exceptional Category of the 6th The International Cat Association (TICA) Cat Show, held recently at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The TICA Cat Show is part of the Singapore Pet Festival 2025, hosted by Clubpets, a local pet community portal. The Exceptional Category, organised by Feline Club Singapore, was started to honour cats who have overcome immense odds as well as to foster a greater sense of compassion and inclusion within the feline community. It takes a big heart to embrace these special needs animals, and for Mika, Awal and Yoona, they are in the good hands of Ms Julie Chong. The operations coordinator, who is in her 40s, has been looking after cats with special needs and those requiring palliative care for many years. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Mika, in particular, needs help to manually empty his bladder as he is unable to do so on his own. The cats' expenditure is about $2,000 a month, which is spent on their wet food and supplements, as well as other daily necessities, including pee pads and wet wipes. Ms Julie Chong's daughter Aqilah with Yoona (left) and Mika. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JULIE CHONG Ms Chong receives regular donations from friends. She is also raising funds for acupuncture treatments for Yoona and Mika. Time and money aside, she says caring for the cats is rewarding. 'They hold a special place in my heart. They wait for me at the gate whenever I get home. They give me headbutts and follow me around. Yoona will start to scream, demanding to be carried,' says Ms Chong, who is married with children. Her family members also help out with the cats. At the cat show, Zen, a four-year-old male black Maine Coon, was named the Overall Winner in the Exceptional Category because of his quiet strength and loving personality. All 10 contestants received a rosette, a hamper of food and supplements, and a bottle of veterinary disinfectant. Zen is blind in one eye and his good eye needs constant cleaning. According to his owner Doris Liam, he is perfectly fine, like a 'normal cat'. The 54-year-old adopted Zen when he was about a year old. A sports instructor for students with disabilities, Ms Liam has another cat, a Persian named Rie, four, whom she adopted along with Zen. Ms Doris Liam (right) and Zen with Ms Michelle Tay from Feline Club Singapore at The International Cat Association Cat Show. PHOTO: FELINE CLUB SINGAPORE Describing Zen as calm, sweet and friendly, Ms Liam says the cat having just one eye has never affected him in any way. Like Rie, Zen brings much joy to the single mum who has two adult daughters. 'Zen sleeps with me and wakes me up when the alarm goes off,' says Ms Liam, who is his main caregiver. 'He will climb onto my chest and sit there, or he will meow near my face until I get up.' Zen is a partially blind Maine Coon. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DORIS LIAM For Ms Sheryl Woo, her fully blind cat Monkey, who also took part in the show, is the bully in the family of three female cats. 'Like most babies in the family, she always wants to have her way and throws tantrums if she doesn't get it.' The three cats were adopted in Doha in 2020, when Ms Woo was working in the Qatari capital. 'Monkey was already blind from severe eye infections when I first saw her. She was about three months old. I adopted her a month later,' says Ms Woo, 39. Monkey, a domestic medium-hair calico, will turn five in September. She was adopted after Princess, a Persian-British shorthair mix, six, and Cookie, a domestic shorthair calico, also six. Monkey underwent an enucleation surgery – removal of the entire eye globe and surrounding tissues – when she was five months old. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHERYL WOO 'Monkey was at risk of being euthanised because of her condition – one eye was cloudy and the other was almost closed,' Ms Woo adds. The kitten underwent an enucleation surgery – removal of the entire eye globe and surrounding tissues – when she was five months old. Being blind does not stop Monkey from climbing all over the house, says Ms Woo, adding that her cat sisters cannot keep up with her playing style. Ms Woo, who is single, and her three fur kids moved back to Singapore in October 2022. She spent three months getting them ready for the move, as they needed to be quarantined for a month. It was difficult for Monkey because she did not like being confined in a crate. Relocation cost was about $3,500 a cat. Describing Monkey as one who loves to go out, Ms Woo adds that being blind has never stopped her from being inquisitive, cheeky and mischievous. 'She was the first to jump onto the kitchen counter when we moved in and also the first to climb our 'catified' walls once they were installed,' she says . Being blind has not stopped Monkey from climbing all over the house. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHERYL WOO What Monkey does in a new space is to walk around it many times, slowly expanding her circle and making a mental map. 'Once she's mapped it out, she knows exactly where she's going,' Ms Woo explains, adding that Monkey rarely bumps into things. Ms Woo is an advocate for special needs animals and has an Instagram account (@princess_cookie_monkey) documenting her cats' lives. Ms Sheryl Woo (right) and Monkey with Ms Michelle Tay from Feline Club Singapore at The International Cat Association Cat Show. PHOTO: FELINE CLUB SINGAPORE 'There's a misconception that special needs cats require a lot more concessions. When I Googled how to care for a blind cat before adopting Monkey, I found so many myths that Monkey has since proven wrong,' Ms Woo says. For example, she was told not to move furniture around and to attach bells to people so that Monkey knows when someone is approaching. 'A blind cat is just a cat,' she says. 'Their personality matters more than sight. They are neither fragile nor difficult to care for. They are resilient animals.' To include a special needs category in a feline competition is a positive move, she says, as it gives 'special cats a chance to be adopted because they are often overlooked'.
Hospitality Net
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk has been promoted President at Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) in Bangkok
Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, is pleased to announce that Ms Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, Vice President - Operations (Central & Southern Thailand) and Government & Business Relations, has been appointed President of the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) for the 2025-2026 term. TICA, a non-profit organisation established in 1984, plays a vital role in promoting Thailand as a preferred destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE). With more than three decades of service to TICA, including her most recent role as Vice President of TICA, and a distinguished track record in Thailand's MICE sector, Ms Tantiprasertsuk brings deep industry insight, a firm commitment to sustainability, and a collaborative spirit to the role. Her appointment highlights Dusit International's ongoing contribution to advancing Thailand's tourism and hospitality landscape through strong leadership and values-driven engagement. Drawing on Dusit's four core pillars of Dusit Graciousness—Service (personalised and gracious), Locality (uniquely linking guests with the local community), Well-Being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa), and Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental)—Ms Tantiprasertsuk intends to integrate these values into TICA's national MICE strategy. Ms Tantiprasertsuk takes the helm from Mr Sumate Sudasna Ayutthaya, who served as TICA President for 16 years. Inspired by his visionary leadership, she is committed to preserving TICA's strong reputation while continuing to promote transparency, professionalism, and the empowerment of future leaders. Her appointment adds to a growing list of Dusit executives making meaningful contributions to the industry at both regional and global levels: Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dusit International, serves as an Honorary Advisor to the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and as President of the Thai Hotels Standard Foundation, which operates under THA. A former President of the ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association and previously an Advisory Board Member and Executive in Residence at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he continues to champion responsible tourism and education across Southeast Asia. Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO of Dusit International, is a Member of the School International Advisory Board at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Asia, a leading regional platform for hospitality investment, where she contributes strategic insights to help shape the future of hospitality across Asia-Pacific. Dusit's industry contributions also extend through Dusit Hospitality Education, which has been nurturing hospitality professionals for over 30 years. Beginning with the launch of Dusit Thani College in 1993, the company's education portfolio now includes Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School and The Food School—Bangkok-based institutions that equip students with internationally relevant skills. Students from Dusit Thani College regularly participate in prestigious international events such as WorldSkills Lyon 2024, the Rising Star Hotelex China International Young Chefs Competition 2025, and the Startup Thailand League, while also hosting global academic forums. Recently, the college welcomed the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) for a seminar on "Sustainable Transformations in Asia Pacific"—further reinforcing Dusit's role as a thought leader in responsible tourism.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) leads the African delegation on a study visit to Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, to learn about waste management, agricultural technology, rice innovation, and fisheries
On 13 May 2025, Lieutenant Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), led a delegation from the African countries who attended the Thailand Development Forum for Africa on a study visit to Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, in Nakhon Pathom Province. The study visit aimed to provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices in waste management practices, agricultural technology, especially agricultural machinery, rice production innovation, and Tilapia culture, which are vital for local development, economic growth, and improving the quality of life for people. During the visit, the African delegates expressed their recognition of Thailand's achievements, particularly in effective waste management towards a "Zero Waste" goal, as well as the development and transfer of agricultural and fishery technologies. These initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serve as exemplary models that can be adapted to support development efforts in their respective countries. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Free 'insulation MOT' offered to charities across Tees Valley
A free 'insulation MOT' is being offered to charities and non-profit organisations across the Tees Valley. The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is providing free energy audits to help identify ways to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. The audits will be conducted by level 3 apprentices from TICA's National Training Centre in Darlington, under the supervision of instructors. They will use TIPCHECK (Technical Insulation Performance Check), a specialist thermal energy assessment tool. This technology evaluates pipework, typically found in plant and boiler rooms, by measuring surface temperatures and calculating potential energy and cost savings through improved insulation. After the 'insulation MOT', a comprehensive report will detail areas of significant heat loss and outline the benefits of installing or upgrading thermal insulation. If the TIPCHECK identifies insulation work that can be easily installed to reduce energy loss, the TICA apprentices will complete the work, charging only for the cost of the insulation materials used. The initiative provides apprentices with valuable hands-on experience, allowing them to apply their skills in a real-world environment. TICA is an active member of the Darlington Employers Environmental Partnership (DEEP), a collaboration of businesses committed to promoting sustainable practices and supporting the transition to net zero. Helen Anderson, TICA's deputy CEO and head of training, said: "This initiative is a win-win. "Our apprentices gain essential direct experience, applying their training to projects that deliver real community benefits. "At the same time, organisations facing rising energy costs receive expert advice on how to cut waste, lower emissions, and potentially save thousands of pounds." "Whether it's a community centre, village hall, charity, or council building, we want to demonstrate how better insulation can deliver real savings whilst improving the environment." For further information about TICA's 'Insulation MOT' email: comms@
