Sick and Injured: Netizens Expose the "Terrifying Truth" That "Houtong Is Not a Cat Paradise"

▲ A tabby cat resting, unable to sleep due to tourists. (Photo / Authorized by Mutou for use by ETtoday News Cloud, the same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

In the eyes of many tourists, Houtong, the so-called "cat paradise," was once a must-visit destination for photography enthusiasts and cat lovers in Taiwan.

But as its popularity increased, more and more people began to re-examine the damage caused to Houtong—and harm done to the local cat population—by the influx of tourists and commercial culture.

▲ An orange cat suffering from severe stomatitis. Mutou believes it should see a vet as soon as possible, rather than being disturbed by tourists.

NetizenMutouOn July 22,titled "Houtong Is Not a Cat Paradise, Don’t Be Fooled,"published an article closely related to the lives of the cats in Houtong, sparking a heated response from netizens. Several photos of sick cats in particular moved many to express their sympathy.

▲ A two-month-old kitten was also woken up by tourists using small sticks to take photos, and couldn’t rest.

While in Houtong, Mutou saw many tourists waking up sleeping cats just to take a few photos. He also noticed shops profiting by selling large quantities of cat toys unsuitable for feral cats. The influx of tourists not only disturbs the cats’ ecosystem but also leaves behind various problems such as litter, food scraps, and cigarette butts. Health issues among the cats—including eye diseases, fungal infections, and stomatitis—have become major concerns for the cat population in Houtong.

▲ Environmental chaos caused by tourists.

In the article, Mutou not only explicitly pointed out the harm caused to the cats by tourists’ behavior such as petting them and improper feeding, but also mentioned controversial actions by bloggerCat Ladywhich sparked strong backlash and protests from her fans.

▲ The pitiful sight of sick cats almost brought Mutou to tears on the spot.

Author Mutou told ETtoday News Cloud that he works as a volunteer in Taichung. Two years ago, he visited Houtong, but after hearing that the issues with the cats and the local ecosystem had worsened, he specifically went north to investigate. The content of the article was based on discussions with local residents. He also expressed surprise at the overwhelming sharing and comments the article subsequently received.

▲ Businesses want more cats in Houtong, so most of the cats there are not neutered.

Not a professional blogger himself, Mutou said that in response to some netizens’ verbal protests, the article was absolutely not written to target Cat Lady, because her controversies won’t change because of this article. The real focus of the article is"The cats in Houtong are really not as good as people imagine,"and he also hopes that through this article, more people will pay attention to the cats in Houtong and speak up for them.

▲ A cat suffering from an eye disease urgently needs medical resources.

"Houtong Is Not a Cat Paradise, Don’t Be Fooled"(Published as originally written)
Do you really think Houtong is a cat paradise?
After seeing these photos, think for yourself.
Under the manipulation of some people, Houtong has already become a commercial district.
Local businesses are raking in the cash thanks to the cats.
But you hardly see anyone stepping up to take care of these cats.
The ones who do step up are just a few local residents who don’t bring reporters along to film.
Or a handful of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly.
Of course, these volunteers also don’t call in the press or media.
They just go about their work quietly.
What I want to highlight is the other side of the reality in Houtong.
The media only reports the beautiful side.
But does anyone know how many problems lie behind this seemingly beautiful facade?
Truly cat-loving friends, please do not go to Houtong.
And even if you really have to go,
please don’t play with them using fishing rods, don’t feed them weird food,
and don’t pet or pick them up.
If the cat carries germs, your touch could indirectly spread them to other cats.
Or even to your own cat at home.
I’ve heard locals say that the cats here don’t live long.
The cat you see today might not be there the next time you visit.
And many people bring cats here to release them into the wild.
The chances of these cats being hit and killed by trains
are lower than those of being hit by drivers arriving in private cars.
When a cat dies, they just dispose of the body near the Keelung River, letting it rot and stink.
In short, there are a lot of issues here.
While these problems can’t be resolved overnight,
I truly think it’s best to avoid going to Houtong for now.

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