{
  "id": 14903395,
  "title": "We only do cats, from a void deck encounter to a cat grooming school",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/we-only-do-cats-from-a-void-deck-encounter-to-a-cat-grooming-school",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T07:30:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Independent Singapore",
    "slug": "the-independent-singapore",
    "url": "https://theindependent.sg/we-only-do-cats-from-a-void-deck-encounter-to-a-cat-grooming-school"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PetPat, a cat grooming salon located on the second floor of a classic walk-up shophouse in Upper Thomson, Singapore, specializes exclusively in feline care. Founder Jen Toh's journey into this niche began with a chance encounter at a HDB void deck, where she experienced a quiet connection with a community cat. That moment sparked a deep desire to give back to the feline community, leading her to create a dedicated business focused on cats.\n\nGrooming a cat requires an entirely different skillset compared to handling dogs due to their highly sensitive nature and tendency to stress easily. Jen emphasizes that groomers must read subtle body language to keep cats calm during the process, which includes bathing, brushing, and blow-drying. This approach ensures a gentle and stress-free experience for the feline companions.\n\nIn Singapore, formal education for feline groomers has been virtually non-existent, as dog grooming schools have thrived while cat-specific training pathways have not. Jen had to teach herself through trial, error, and intuition to bridge the gap in the local pet industry. This challenge not only highlighted a personal hurdle but also revealed a glaring gap that inspired Jen's next big step.\n\nRecognizing the need for cat-specific training, Jen founded PetPat to offer anxious owners peace of mind by treating feline care as a specialized discipline rather than an afterthought to dog grooming. By providing this specialized care, PetPat aims to meet the growing demand for feline grooming services in Singapore.",
  "summary": "I stepped into a room teeming with feline energy at PetPat, Jen’s cat grooming salon in Upper Thomson. Tucked away on the second floor of a classic walk-up shophouse, the space was bustling with owners spending their afternoon pampering their furry companions. For PetPat ’s founder, Jen Toh, this journey into specialised feline care began with a chance encounter at a HDB void deck. She had never…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}