Tiong Bahru residents rally round to pay their favourite feline's vet bills

Bob, as the grey feline is known in Eng Hoon Street, came to the area two years ago and started charming everyone. It began following design-school lecturer Terence Yeung, 40, and his wife home, and spending some nights with them.

Residents say the cat recognises people, and runs up excitedly to those it knows.

Human resources director Jean Fung, who is in her 40s, said: 'He's comfortable around people and friendly - not at all like your typical aloof stray cat. It's hard to explain, but he's very charismatic.'

Bob has seen three vets and undergone four operations, running up $20,000 in veterinary bills. Already, Dr Jean-Paul Ly, who performed the last two operations, has waived $8,000 of his surgical fees on hearing the cat is a stray.

Bob guarding the stash that he keeps in his pillow. Just kidding!

With the rest of the medical bill still outstanding, Books Actually, the neighbourhood bookstore in Yong Siak Street, has set up a donation box. Residents and shop owners in the area are passing the hat around to pay these bills. The kitty - no pun intended - now has $1,800.

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