The Last of Nine Lives

Although efforts by students and alumni to save an injured stray cat from Hall 13 were unsuccessful, they did not go to waste. Lavisha S. Punjabi finds out more.

By Lavisha S. Punjabi

It is common to raise funds for a life-saving surgery. But this patient is not your usual beneficiary. He is stray cat Georgie, usually seen around NTU’s Hall of Residence 13.

At least 50 students and alumni from NTU raised S$1,909 to bear the cost of Georgie’s treatment and surgery after he sustained two life-threatening injuries, one on the abdomen and the other on the rear. The latter injury was infested with maggots.

Tan Jun Khiang, 23, a third-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said that the cat was a familiar friend that helped to take his mind off school.

CONSTANT PRESENCE: Georgie was a frequent sight around Hall 13.
PHOTO: TAN JUN KIANG

“Since my stay in Hall 13, Georgie has become a part of my hall life. Every two to three days, I usually spend time with the Hall 13 cats that hang around the corridors from 9pm to 2am,” he said.

He added: “Spending time with them during the exam period helps me de-stress.”

Georgie, who had not been seen for three days, was found by hall attendants beside a second-storey staircase in Hall 13, Block 63. He had been inflicted with two deep wounds.

A picture of his injuries was also posted anonymously on the NTU Confessions Facebook page. However, page administrators took it down soon after due to its graphic nature.

On the same day it was found, Tan and his friends brought Georgie to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and he was later treated at The Animal Clinic in Clementi.

Dr Nicholas Chng, the veterinarian treating the cat, said that the feline had to undergo surgery costing at least $1,000 to remove dead flesh before closing the wounds, to prevent recurring infections.

He highlighted that although the exact cause is unknown, the cat could have gotten pierced by sharp objects while squeezing through small spaces. The vet also mentioned possibilities such as intentional slashing and hit-and-run.

Despite the funds raised, Georgie died on 18 Jan after an infection from his wounds spread to other parts of his body, killing surrounding tissues. Existing donations were returned.

A group of donors from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) redirected their donations to SPCA.

Ryan Chen, 19, a first-year student from LKCMedicine, said: “Channelling the money to SPCA serves as a stark reminder that there are many more strays out there in need of love and care.”

Students are advised to inform Campus Security or the Cat Management Network (CMN) if they spot an injured animal on campus.

The CMN comprises NTU student volunteers and staff who come together to manage the homeless cat population on campus by taking them in for sterilisation and health care.

CMN president, Kang Jee Soo, 21, a first-year student from the School of Art, Design and Media, shared that they were carrying out measures to raise awareness on the reporting of injured animals.

“We are in the process of designing posters with our contact information. We intend to put them up outside hall offices and our designated cat feeding spots,” said Kang.