Seocho-gu Promotes Neutering Project for Coexistence with Stray Cats

Seocho-gu to Conduct Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Project for Stray Cats with Volunteers Starting from the 27th

Last Month, Seocho-gu Selected 55 Volunteers for the Neutering Project, Who Participated in Trapping and Release after In-House Training

As Part of Animal Protection and Cold Weather Measures, Seocho-gu Produced and Distributed 200 Winter Shelters and 50 Insulated Water Bowls

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will launch the "2023 Stray Cat Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Project" starting from the 27th to realize a Seocho-style animal welfare where humans and animals coexist.

The district’s stray cat neutering project aims to control the stray cat population to reduce citizen inconveniences caused by noise during mating seasons and damage to food waste, while seeking coexistence with stray cats as part of the ecosystem. The procedure involves humanely trapping stray cats living naturally in residential areas, performing neutering surgery, and then releasing them back to the same location.

At this time, cats weighing less than 2 kg, pregnant cats, and nursing cats are excluded from neutering for animal welfare considerations. Neutered cats have approximately 1 cm of the tip of their left ear removed for identification and are released back to the place where they were trapped to live as part of the urban ecosystem.

Stray Cat Feeding Station

To protect stray cats and alleviate residents’ inconveniences, the district recruited a total of 55 volunteers for the stray cat neutering project last month through an open call. Volunteer participation is active in the trapping and release processes. They are also responsible for post-release monitoring activities and maintaining cleanliness at official feeding stations.

On the 18th, the district conducted in-house training for all volunteers on TNR guidelines and precautions to prepare them for their activities. Neutering surgeries are supported through designated agreements with two animal hospitals: Han Animal Hospital (Yangjae-dong) and Naebang Animal Hospital (Bangbae-dong).

Meanwhile, the district operates 36 official stray cat feeding stations linked to the neutering project. Additionally, Seocho-gu was the first local government nationwide to start a winter shelter project for stray cats in 2018, producing 200 winter shelters to date. Last year, it also became the first Seoul district to produce and distribute 50 insulated water bowls so that stray cats vulnerable to cold waves can drink warm water.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su of Seocho-gu stated, “We will continue to do our best to establish a mature animal welfare culture through continuous and systematic animal protection projects.”