Wow! Love that knows no bounds
Buying pedigree breeds is one thing, but maintaining them requires long-term commitment, money and time. For 2 cat owners, the monthly expenses are no big deals. Owning a pedigree pet is rewarding in itself – almost like the joy of raising a child.
Dr Moonyza Akmal, who owns Persian cats, knows how much it costs to own a pedigree. She has four imported Persians and they cost her RM40,000. The maintenance of her long-haired cats does not come cheap either. Dr Moonyza uses seven types of shampoos to bathe her cats. The first is to de-grease oil from the cats’ fur, followed by anti-septic for the skin before she uses tearless baby shampoo and cleanser to ensure the cats are really clean.
Added to these is a pure white lightening that is used on her cream-coloured Persians. Lastly, Dr Moonyza uses a conditioner for easy grooming and brushing. A special type of hair-dryer blows their coats because air emitted from normal ones are too hot. Though she spends about RM100 on each of her cats a month on premium health supplements, Dr Moonyza is not complaining. “Time spent fussing over my cats is rewarding,” she said. “I may take about two hours bathing and drying each Persian, or spend more time wiping away their tears (Persians tend to tear always), but they hold special places in my heart.”
Adilah Roose, who keeps Abyssinians, could not agree more. The ancient, rare pedigree cat (said to number less than 20 in Malaysia) may have short hair, but its expenses can be quite a sum nevertheless. Besides dry food, which Adilah buys in several large packs for the cats’ different coats, she also whips up her own wet food recipte. Besides these, there are also the B-complex supplements to make the cats radiant with wonderful coats.
Adilah doesn’t mind forking out hundreds of ringgit a month for the pets she adores.
“I don’t look at keeping cats as an investment; it is a love affair,” said Adilah. “When you love your cat, you don’t mind the amount.”
Adilah’s enormous expenses are the toys she buys for her cats.
“Abyssinians are active and smart cats. They need new toys each time to keep them occupied.”
