Gangbuk-gu Operates Public Feeding Stations for Stray Cats

Installation of Feeding Stations in Residential Areas with Stray Cat Sightings, Operated and Managed with Residents... Realizing Animal Welfare and Creating an Environment for Human-Animal Coexistence

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is installing public feeding stations for stray cats and has begun full-scale operation.

The public feeding stations were primarily installed in areas where stray cats frequently appear, such as residential neighborhoods near parks, and in regions where population control is necessary.

The stations are designed to make it easy for cats to eat the food, and environmentally friendly wood with waterproof treatment was used as the material. An information sign indicating that the district office and residents jointly manage the station is engraved on the front.

According to Gangbuk-gu, complaints about stray cats have been steadily occurring. Residents expressed discomfort not only due to noise from cats meowing but also because of hygiene issues such as excrement. There were also frequent cases of food waste being scattered or garbage bags being damaged.

In particular, conflicts arose between “cat moms” (stray cat caregivers) and local residents.

The creation of stray cat feeding stations signifies that the public sector takes the lead as a mediator to resolve conflicts between residents and “cat moms.”

The district plans to improve the residential environment in neighborhoods through public feeding stations and gradually reduce disputes among residents over stray cats. Along with installing the feeding stations, they will also work on population control to prevent an increase in the number of stray cats. In cooperation with animal hospitals, they will continuously carry out a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program for stray cats weighing over 2 kg to maintain an appropriate population.

A district official said, “It is known that stray cats have a very strong reproductive capacity. By easily capturing cats that come to the feeding stations for food, neutering them, and releasing them, it is expected to help reduce the population and the meowing sounds that mainly occur during the breeding season.”

Additionally, the district designates stray cat caregivers as managers (volunteers) to jointly operate the facilities. Caregivers are responsible for maintaining cleanliness of the feeding stations and providing water and food, while the district supports the neutering program.

The district will regularly monitor the feeding stations together with the caregivers and prepare supplementary measures accordingly.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, “The public feeding stations are meaningful in that they provide safe and stable food to stray cats, realizing animal welfare. We will firmly establish an environmentally friendly ecosystem foundation where humans and animals can coexist harmoniously.”

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