Houtong Cat Village Office Introduction
Houtong was once a prosperous coal mining town that gradually fell into decline after the industry waned. Today, it has transformed into a cat village and developed tourism, becoming an internationally renowned cat-watching destination. In April 2021, Houtong established a preparatory office for the Cat Council to enhance the care of the village cats. This includes creating "identity cards" for street cats, conducting cat population surveys, and setting up medical stations to provide various services for the local stray cats. By the end of April 2024, the Houtong Cat Council will officially unveil its sign. The comprehensive information center for cats will register the cats living in Houtong, issue identity cards, implant chips, and conduct regular population surveys of the cats. It will also collaborate with non-profit organizations to establish medical stations that provide healthcare services for the cats and work with various volunteer associations to form patrol teams to enhance the village's cat protection efforts, ensuring the safety of the cats and eliminating abandonment behaviors. The exterior wall of the Cat Council features a large electronic information board that displays popular activity locations for Houtong's cats, village news, and links to adoption information from eight animal shelters in New Taipei City. The Houtong Cat Council, renovated from an old Taiwan Railways dormitory, is designed primarily in the color of "Ruifang Gold" to echo the local mining heritage. The roof has cute cats peeking out, the outdoor turf features paw print designs, and the interior is furnished with cat play equipment, showcasing a new aesthetic of cat village life. The Animal Protection and Epidemic Prevention Office of the New Taipei City Government has also planted a large area of catnip, favored by cats, next to the Cat Council to create a diverse and harmonious ecological environment for both plants and animals.
