By Tay Yu Ning (23S06E), Noh Sangeun (23S06Q)
THE END OF AN ERA: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that Raffles Press announces our beloved cat, Teddy, will be forced to vacate the school premises.
The Ministry of Education (MOE)’s Guidelines for Schools state that “any unauthorised animals on school premises should be evicted for the health and safety of the school population”.
Teddy is not in fact owned by the school, so by this technicality, he is actually prohibited to be here. For the past few years, the school has closed one eye on this matter and has allowed Teddy to stay in school to accompany students as they mug for their A-Levels. Unfortunately, @rafflesteddy’s rising number of followers on Instagram means RI can no longer pretend to ignore his existence.
“It’s just all so sudden,” confessed Catalina Mao (22A01F), somewhat tearily. “I never thought I would ever have to say goodbye to Teddy.”
Indeed, Teddy the tabby had been the object of much adoration, with a typical post on @rafflesteddy garnering over 300 likes by students both past and present. Over the past few years, spotting a group of students fawning over the cat had been fairly common in school.
His regular haunts included the Crib, an area much shrouded in obscurity and known to many newcomers simply as the cat benches, and the railings surrounding the amphitheatre area.
“Every time I spot his adorable paunchy stomach, I just inexplicably feel that all is right in the world,” said Paw Koo Chin (23S03T).
Despite Teddy’s status as an integral part of our school culture for the past 100 years, it has been made clear to the writers at Raffles Press that the school population will have to come to terms with MOE’s verdict.
“I just know everyone will miss him, but I wish only the best for him. I hope he’ll be happy in his new forever home, wherever that may be,” said Ms Tan Fee Lin, an Art teacher who owns two cats at home.
Although Teddy will no longer be a beloved fixture on our campus, the school will be taking steps to ensure his welfare. For one, the administrative office will be accepting applications for adoption from the school population. Applications will be open to all willing and able students and staff.
MOE has given the school up to 31st April to find a new home for Teddy. After that deadline passes, he will be taken to SPCA and be put up for adoption.
Anyone looking to adopt Teddy can apply using this form: https://tinyurl.com/RafflesTeddyAdoptions2022. However, before applying, please ensure that you can adequately meet his needs. A full ownership video guide on how to take care of Teddy can be found here.
Teddy may be forced out of our school campus, but this furry animal has definitely earned a permanent place in our hearts. Goodbye, Teddy! We’ll miss you.