Operation of ‘Stray Cat Feeding Stations’ for Stray Cats in Nowon-gu

Established 5 Feeding Stations for Stray Cats to Hygienically Integrate and Manage Dispersed Feeding Areas... Population Control and Stress Relief During Cat Breeding Season Through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Program

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) will pilot operate feeding stations for stray cats starting this month to manage them efficiently.

The main purposes of operating the stray cat feeding stations are twofold: to provide stable and hygienic food to stray cats and to safely capture cats gathering at the feeding stations for population control through neutering surgeries.

Five locations were selected for feeding stations where CCTV is installed, with low potential for complaints, and manageable by volunteers and cat-related organizations.

These locations are next to Neutiul Neighborhood Park near Sanggye Jugong Complex 2, Junghyeon Children's Park, between Jangmi Apartment Children's Park, Hanmuri Park, and opposite Gongneung Flower Hill Church.

The feeding stations measure 50 cm wide, 60 cm deep, and 48 cm high, with a long sloped roof to prevent the food bowls from getting wet even when it rains.

Also, considering the stray cats’ habit of being alert while eating, the feeding bowls were designed so that the opposite side above the bowl is visible.

Volunteers and the related organization ‘Nogilsa (People Who Love Life on the Streets of Nowon)’ are responsible for providing food and maintaining cleanliness around the feeding stations, while the district supports the installation of feeding stations and the TRN project (Trap, Neuter, Release). Neutering stray cats not only reduces stress during their heat cycles but is also the only method to control the population of stray cats without natural predators. Last year, the district conducted 391 neutering surgeries.

The reason the district is implementing this project is due to increasing complaints caused by stray cats’ territorial fights producing loud noises, damage to garbage bags, and unpleasantness from excrement while they roam the streets searching for discarded food.

Additionally, conflicts between cat caretakers (cat moms) and other residents are rising. Last year, the district office received an average of 3 to 4 cat-related complaints per month.

The district is also carrying out various projects to create an urban ecosystem where humans and animals coexist harmoniously, including creating rest areas for companion dogs outside the stray cat feeding stations, installing pet waste bag dispensers in parks, and running companion dog academies.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “The stray cat feeding stations are a project to minimize residents’ inconvenience caused by stray cats while protecting the cats,” and added, “We plan to continue implementing various policies and programs to foster a culture where humans and animals coexist harmoniously.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.