In Taiwan there is a village
which was famous once for monkeys, then coal, and now cats and lots of them. Houtong,
which means "monkey cave, is located in Ruifang District New Taipei. Houtong
Cat Village was originally called ‘Kau-tong’ due to the existence
of a cave inhabited by monkeys in the early days. The area was once a small
mining town, famous for a well preserved culture surrounding its railway. The
village good old days, the area produced more than 220,000 tons of coal per
year. The largest coal output of a single area in Taiwan. In 1920, a
purification factory was built, ultimately attracted myriad immigrants to the
area. The town was gradually prosperous to 900 households to 6000 people.
Unfortunately the area was
tending to decline in 1990’s due to decline in mining industry. The young
generation begins to migrate to search for other opportunities. Eventually only
few hundred inhabitants remained due to mining industry had died out. In 2008,
a local cat lover Peggy Chien organized volunteers to start offering abandoned
cats a better life. He was passionate cat lover to make things happen by
posting cats images online. His passion turns in an overwhelming response from
other cat lovers around the world.
The public fell in love with the
adorable cats and the village once again flourishing. As the word spreading
out, Houtong Cat Village became center for cat lovers. Since, number of cats
living there increased got attention all parts of the world. Thus, reviving a
declining village is transforming into a tourist destination. Interestingly
some cats are sterilized and will have one of their ears trimmed as
confirmation. Hence, this helps to keep check on the local population of cats,
and also support in identify new cats which enter into the village. Black,
ginger, calico, tortoise shell, white and grey, fat and fatter, friendly and
shy, there’re different cats of every wondrous kind in Houtong.
Though most of the cats hang out
in the collection of cottages that cling to the hillside, they can be found
roaming all over Houtong Village. Now, the Houtong Cat Village is prospering,
featuring cafes, shops, relaxing places and restaurants catering to the many
visitors who descend on this feline frontier every weekend. Cat lovers can see
cats lounging in flower pots, loafing on shelves, padding up steps, jumping off
roofs and spread out, sleeping, over stalls of kitty-themed souvenirs.
Houtong Cat Village is located
near the origin of the Keelung River. The pristine, green waters of the river
are accessible via steps. Drivers entering the town are greeted with a sign
that reads 'A lot of stray cats’ here. Drive slowly. Moreover, A black covered
“cat bridge” has been constructed above the busy railway, to allow safe passage
for the cats. Houtong’s cats are remarkably good-natured, though they are
usually being chased, petted and photographed by visitors. Source: CP
Obvious signage instructs visitors how to
interact with the cats. The cats should be left alone unless they start
contact, and they shouldn't be distraught or chased, the signs instruct. People
who choose to feed the cats should clean up afterward, and flash photography is
discouraged. The volunteers and doctors do regular neutering and injections to
make sure the population is healthy and stable. And some people abandon their
own pets there or even steal cats from the village.
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