[Insta Walk] Goyangidang - A Shelter for Stray Cats Dreaming of a Second Cat Life <猫生>

From 13 to 25 in a Year and a Half
They Approach Without Rejecting Human Touch
Connecting Responsible Owners Through Adoption
Most Proud When Seeing Them Living Well

Inside 'Goyangidang'. Cats resting in various spots catch the eye. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] When walking down the street, you often make eye contact with stray cats. Some rummage through trash bins, wary of their surroundings due to hunger, while others curl up tightly against the biting cold or rub their heads against people, longing for affection. People support and care for them out of compassion for life. However, not all attention is affectionate. Stray cats often suffer because they tear open garbage bags, are simply disliked, or are easy targets for abuse. Those who protect stray cats out of pity focus on neutering and releasing them to reduce their numbers or seek to find them homes. But taking them in indiscriminately is not easy. Irresponsible acts of raising and abandoning cats persist, and the responsibility that comes with caring for a life is heavy. In such circumstances, the thought of a warm place to shelter stray cats from the cold crossed my mind, and I discovered a place called ‘Goyangidang’ (Cat Hall).

Located about five minutes from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Seoul Subway Line 6, this place serves as a sanctuary for abandoned cats. It is said to be frequently visited by animal-loving Instagrammers.

When you open the door here, gentle music plays, and three to four cats come out to greet guests. Leaving behind the cats gazing at you with curious eyes, you enter the shop and encounter cats with distinct personalities as varied as their fur colors?white, brown, black, and more. Their behaviors differ as well. Some lounge lazily on cat towers, others sprawl on the floor, and some eat their food. The description of this place as a ‘playground for cats’ fits perfectly.

'Rola' is sitting on the table, looking somewhere. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

Though it may look like a simple ‘cat cafe,’ this place functions as a kind of shelter caring for abandoned cats. It was opened last June by CEO Choi Eunjeong (35) to support the ‘second life’ of abandoned and rescued cats. When it first opened, it served as a resting place for 13 stray cats, but it has since grown into a home for 25 cats. CEO Choi said, “While working, I wanted to raise a cat, so I visited an abandoned cat cafe. That’s when I met a cat named ‘Dallnimi’ and ended up adopting her.” She added, “As I raised ‘Dallnimi,’ my feelings toward abandoned cats naturally grew. Before I knew it, I was deeply involved in this work.” ‘Dallnimi,’ who has spent time with CEO Choi, has become the shop’s mascot, attracting visitors.

True to its purpose as a cat-friendly establishment, the name ‘Goyangidang’ holds special meaning. CEO Choi explained, “‘Goyangidang’ carries several meanings. It can be an exclamation like ‘Wow, such a cute cat hall,’ and the character ‘~dang (堂),’ meaning ‘house,’ combines to mean ‘a place where cats live.’” She continued, “It might also mean ‘cat party (黨),’ like a political party. Just as parties have members, we have ‘dangmyo’ (party cats).” CEO Choi often uses the term ‘dangmyo’ to refer to the cats here.

The 25 ‘dangmyo’ who do not shy away from human touch and approach warmly all have unique stories. There’s ‘Taeseong,’ abandoned in front of a veterinary hospital; ‘Bukdu,’ who suffered from skin disease and lost his fur; and ‘Yeowoo,’ rescued by a cat mom. Not a single cat here is ordinary. ‘Cafe’ and ‘Latte’ are also special cases. She explained, “‘Cafe’ and ‘Latte’ lived in an apartment complex with help from a security guard and a resident, but due to opposition from other residents, they eventually lost their home and came here. Both came to our shop, but ‘Latte’ was adopted by a regular customer, and only ‘Cafe’ remains here.”

'Ujeoli' is resting on the table. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

Besides caring for and treating abandoned cats, CEO Choi also facilitates adoption consultations to find responsible owners for the cats. ‘Louis,’ adopted last year, and ‘Eunha,’ who had leg and eye difficulties from a traffic accident, were both adopted this year. Both ‘Louis’ and ‘Eunha’ have found good owners and are living happily.

CEO Choi considers these moments the happiest. She said, “The most rewarding time is when I send cats off for adoption. Seeing them live well after adoption or regaining health after being sick is incredibly fulfilling.”

However, checking and treating the health of dozens of cats daily is no easy task. CEO Choi shared, “What work isn’t hard? When there are sick cats, I apply medicine or take them to the hospital, but it’s heartbreaking when I can’t save a life with my efforts alone.” Last month, ‘Gyepi,’ who roamed this place, passed away from peritonitis, leaving her feeling helpless for a while.

CEO Choi said she wants ‘Goyangidang’ to serve as a ‘bridge’ connecting abandoned cats with good owners. She expressed hope, saying, “There’s nothing better than cats without a home living well here and then being adopted by kind owners. I hope this virtuous cycle continues.” Regarding the ongoing abandonment and needless suffering of many cats, she emphasized, “Many abandon cats because of financial difficulties. Responsibility for animals must be upheld until the end, and if one lacks this responsibility, they should not raise animals in the first place.”