The Tongyeong Public Cat Protection and Adoption Center was opened in September 2023, after remodeling the former Yongho Branch of Hansan Elementary School, which had been abandoned for 11 years. (Image courtesy of the City of Tongyeong )
TONGYEONG, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Tongyeong’s public cat protection and adoption center, known as the “Cat School,” has come under scrutiny for alleged neglect of its feline residents, sparking controversy and raising questions about its management.
Opened in September 2023 in a repurposed island school in the picturesque village of Yongcho, the Cat School aims to care for and facilitate the adoption of stray cats rescued from the Hallyeohaesang National Park.
The facility includes a treatment room, protection area, and a cafe, designed to offer a safe haven for cats in need. However, animal welfare activists claim that the center is failing to provide proper care.
Critics argue that the facility houses up to 40-50 cats in one space without proper separation, leading to territorial disputes and fights. They also highlight the inadequate number of food and water bowls and litter boxes, causing undernourished cats to suffer or even die. Several activists have reported that weaker or younger cats, unable to access food, have become malnourished and died.
Furthermore, the center has faced criticism for hiring elderly residents who lack experience in cat care. Activists contend that this lack of expertise has resulted in substandard care for the animals.
The interior of the Tongyeong Public Cat Protection and Adoption Center, featuring the protection room.
The controversy deepened following the unexplained death of a two-month-old kitten in late July. Volunteers who frequent the center voiced concerns that the kitten, named Changdong, died due to neglect.
They claim that the kitten, being small and frail, required special care, including isolation from adult cats and the provision of age-appropriate food. Despite multiple requests from volunteers and donations of kitten-specific food, they assert that the staff did not take necessary precautions, and the kitten ultimately starved.
In response to the growing backlash, Tongyeong City issued a statement on the Tongyeong Animal Welfare Platform, addressing the allegations. The city acknowledged the claims but explained that the Cat School spends approximately 100 million won annually on meals and facility improvements.
They noted that the facility’s role as a temporary shelter for injured or ill cats means that some animals may have health issues upon arrival.
Additionally, the city has pledged to improve operations, including increasing veterinary visits from once to twice a month, in collaboration with the Korean Cat Veterinary Association. They also emphasized that the recent “Cat Island Festival” held in early August was a cultural effort to promote sustainable communities where humans and cats can coexist peacefully.
While the city has committed to addressing the concerns, the controversy underscores ongoing debates about animal welfare and the effectiveness of public facilities in caring for vulnerable animals.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
