In Baeksa Village, located in Junggye-dong, Nowon District, Seoul, which is undergoing demolition as part of a redevelopment project, 'street cats' have become a controversy. Some activists argue that authorities need to prepare survival measures for the street cats now that the residents who used to feed them are gone. In contrast, some residents claim that 'tax money should be spent on citizens first, before street cats' due to the harm caused by the cats.
◇ Three 'cat moms' enter Baeksa Village to feed them... 'The local government needs to protect them' VS 'The cats are causing trouble for residents'
Baeksa Village, known as 'the last Dal-dong neighborhood of Seoul', is located at 104 San, Junggye-dong, Nowon District. It was established in the 1960s. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to redevelop this area, covering 186,965 square meters (approximately 56,000 pyeong), into an apartment complex with 3,178 households. Demolition began last March.
On the 20th, only workers demolishing the aging dwellings were visible in Baeksa Village, where all residents had left. Access for the general public was restricted. However, 'cat moms' (individuals who regularly care for street cats) were allowed entry. An individual surnamed A, who runs a cafe nearby, noted, 'About three people form a team and enter the village once a week to feed the street cats.'
Shin Dong-won, a Seoul City Council member from the People Power Party, held a discussion on the 'Protection and Management Measures for Street Cats in Baeksa Village' on the 12th at the Seoul City Council. According to fellow party member Jeong Young-ki, it is estimated that there are around 150 street cats residing in Baeksa Village.
The Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), Nowon District, and local residents have formed an emergency response committee to protect and manage street cats. Nowon District has established three temporary feeding stations for street cats, while the emergency committee, cat moms, and private organizations have set up 20 additional stations.
At the discussion, Song Seung-hyun, chairwoman of the 'Nowon District Cat Moms Association Firefly', stated, 'Baeksa Village is not prepared for cat protection, so the burden falls on the street cats and volunteers.' She added, 'The local government needs to implement a system to protect and manage street cats in redevelopment areas.'
Residents near Baeksa Village voiced their opposition. Individual A said, 'There are about three to five street cats napping behind the cafe, and sometimes they scatter the utensils.' Resident Shin, aged 57, remarked, 'The redevelopment could be delayed because of the street cats. People should not be harmed.'
◇ Street cat feeding stations in residential neighborhoods... 'I wish the cats could rest comfortably' VS 'It's noisy, and I can't sleep'
Not only Nowon District but also Seoul City and 23 autonomous districts (excluding Dobong District and Yeongdeungpo District) operate 'street cat feeding stations'. Boxes made from plywood are created so that cats can eat food inside them. The local government has signed agreements with private organizations, allowing 'cat moms' and 'cat daddies' to feed the street cats and manage the feeding stations.
According to data submitted to Park Soo-min, a member of the People Power Party in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, the highest number of street cat feeding stations is in Dongjak District, with 70 stations among the 23 autonomous districts in Seoul. Gangnam District (63 stations) and Gangdong District (59 stations) follow. The autonomous districts often set them up in residential areas.
With the establishment of street cat feeding stations in residential areas, conflicts have arisen between residents and cat moms. Yom, aged 16, who was encountered near a feeding station in Seongnae 1-dong, Gangdong District, said, 'I hope the cats can rest comfortably here.' In contrast, a resident surnamed Kim, aged 47, commented, 'During a cat's mating season, the noise is so loud that I can't sleep at night.' Following residents' complaints, Gangdong District relocated the feeding station to a less visible area.
Budgets are being allocated for street cat feeding stations, including expenses for cat food. Gangdong District allocated the largest amount, 37.7 million won, among the 23 autonomous districts in Seoul for this project. Mr. Park, aged 70, encountered near the street cat feeding station in World Cup Park, Seongsan-dong, Mapo District, asked, 'Why should we spend taxes, which are already insufficient for people, on cats?'
◇ Seoul City says, 'Street cat feeding stations help control population through neutering'
Seoul City holds the position that street cat feeding stations help manage the cat population. This is because the local government is conducting a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, trapping the street cats that use the feeding stations, neutering them, and then releasing them back. The expense for neutering is approximately 180,000 won for males and 220,000 won for females.
According to a survey conducted by Seoul City last year, the neutering rate for cats using the feeding stations was recorded at 74.6%. Academia reports that if the proportion of neutered street cats among all street cats exceeds 70%, the population will naturally decrease. Seoul City is also asking organizations operating street cat feeding stations to follow this guideline. The estimated number of street cats in Seoul decreased from 203,615 in 2015 to 116,019 in 2019, and then to 100,982 in 2023.