Its very interesting to note how a simple comment by Howie as developed into such a multi facet topic!

Lemme give my 5 cents worth... In my opinion, the chinese in malaysia aren't that exposed culturally to cats.. I remember while growing up, i have never been actually exposed or allowed to touch any type of animal. And i suppose most chinese, having moved out of their kampungs long ago and living in town areas, associate cats with the stray cats u always see in the streets, and this had led them to dislike them and finding them a nuisance..

As for Dogs, i suppose they can be useful in guarding their houses, as one forumer commented earlier.. hehe... This is quite true... to the older generation, i.e. my parents, they find that keeping dogs are good for safe guarding the house!!

Needless to say, it is quite obvious that i am a chinese.. But like i said, my exposure to cats came about much later in life, and if not for that occasion when my neighbour's cat in Sydney came visiting at our house, that incited my love for cats; i dun think i would be a self professed cat lover here now!

Roz... Believe it or not, i once had a huge arguement with my bf (he's muslim and i'm chinese) over this dog issue!!

sampai hati tersedak kittun disini...hahaha...mane darthkir nih...ok my opinion simple jer..for me la..ok for me..if have a dog as pet banyak susah mau samak..ha catlover kan dah kuar balik topik nih...but if the soap is the one of the solution then should not be a problem la..even my uncle pun ader dog to guard our kebun..so pasal neutered actually my opinion simple jer..mane lebih kebaikan or keburukan??? so kalau banyak kebaikan ape lagi neutered kan je la tapi kalau banyak keburukan baik maintain jer...cos for me kalau cats tue dah cukup lengkap sifat dia tak baik la nak kurangkan sifat yang ada tapi kalau tuk kebaikan why not..everyone towards thatkan...

p/s: darhkir dimana kau.....

What I can say is up to some Malays to except on dogs thing... most of them don't really understand the 'hukum'. They should do some research like I did on dogs thing.Arabs muslim do have dogs to take care of their sheep...Most Malays cannot diffrentciate between dogs and pigs in terms on 'hukum'..to them their are the same...

OK regarding neuturing cats, if I not mistaken Muslim have to pay ( ayyoyo I forgot what they call it ).... some sort of 'dam' 'denda'... aiayya I think I have to ask my father again.... Kittun ko dapat A1 in Ugama Islam kan..dipersilakan jawab...

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Thank you all for contributing your opinions. Being Chinese, we were always very careful not to mention about dog, pig and pork in front of Muslims. I am glad there are many open-minded and knowledgeable Muslims in this forum discussing these sensitive issues openly. I would like to know about Muslims regarding neutering cats if catlover, crazycat, kittun, darhkir or others willing to share.

Thank you gaudygoddess, I have found the SPCA article on neutering. The following is part of the article, I though I should share with you.

We have referred to the "Jawatankuasa Kemajuan Islam Malaysia" regarding the neutering of pets. Below is the "fatwa" issued by JAKIM (July 2002):

"All pets like cats and dogs are allowed to be neutered or spayed in order to maintain the health and welfare of both the animals and the community."

"Bahawa mengembiri binatang kesayangan seperti kucing atau anjing hukumnya adalah diharuskan dengan sebab-sebab tertentu iaitu bagi menjaga muslahat ummah."

After studying the messages of the aforementioned "mazhab"s and the medical viewpoint of the SPCA animal experts, 'JAKIM' has decided that neutering of cats for reasons of 'maslahat' is acceptable. It is in agreement with 'qaedah' (way) Fiqhiyyah which states "To choose the lesser of two evils".

In view of the good which can be derived, neutering can be carried out for the well-being of your pet cat.

memang la tapi masa belajar dulu masa ader chapter pasal neutering nih...dam kalau pasal tinggal puasa tau la cam ner...tu pun ingat2 pula.. ngan dam kalau buat silap masa buat haji or umrah...lagi pun according to pussy nyer thread kalau hukumnya harus then kene bayar dam kat aku hihihi...

I don't think the issue is whether neutering/spaying iis halal or haram. To some pet owners out there, it is unheard of to spend so much money for their cats (i.e. vet bills). Someone once remarked to me that he could never Imagine spending more than RM100 in vet bills when a human's visit to a doctor costs less than that. So this issue of whether it is haram or halal to neuter pets is just a smokescreen.....

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Im a chinese too, n im staying in apartment. I like both dogs & cats. cats r more tidy & clean compared to dogs, dogs can guard house & very responsive. huh? u said living in an condo thats y can't keep pet? okok.. for ur info, im currently staying in a apartment only, & i hav 11 puppies & 8 cats & kittens. thats not a problem. come & adopt some from me lah~~

Thanks for the offer LittleMonk but I do not want to end up complained by my neighbours n i hv to start to look someone to adopt the dog. perhaps next time. but i dun mind seeing ur animals. where u stay?

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"A man of kindness to his beast is kind... A brutal action shows a brutal mind... Remember, He gave thee speech and formed him mute... He can’t complain, but God’s all-seeing eye... Behold the cruelty and hears his cry... He was designed thy servant not thy drudge... Remember thy Creator is thy judge..."

Im staying at lagoon perdana condo, sunway. if u hav any fren interested must tell me ok? thanks..