"Feeding Them With My Hard-Earned Money"... A Cat Mom's Letter of Appeal

"If Caught, I Will Claim Damages for Property Destruction"
Serious Issues with Stray Cat Noise and Vehicle Damage

An Appeal Written by a Cat Mom. BobaeDream

A letter of appeal from a "cat mom" asking people not to damage cat shelters and food stations she had set up for stray cats has sparked controversy. The term "cat mom" is a combination of "cat" and "mom," referring to individuals who provide food and shelter to stray cats.

On January 3, a post titled "The Anger of a Cat Mom" was uploaded to an online community. According to the post, a woman had attached a letter of appeal to a cat shelter she had installed, asking people to "stop committing wrongdoing."

The letter read, "With money that is like my own blood and flesh-my precious money-I have made food and homes for these poor little ones, so please do not throw them away or destroy them." It continued, "If I catch anyone, I will claim damages and compensation for property destruction, so please stop these wrongful acts."

However, it is also a reality that many people complain about problems caused by stray cats. Because most stray cats are wary of people and tend to hide in confined spaces, they often crawl under car hoods to sleep. This can result in car damage, or in some cases, cats being killed if someone unknowingly starts the car. There are numerous reports of people not only facing significant repair costs, but also being traumatized by unexpectedly discovering a cat's body.

Noise is another serious issue. Since most stray cats are not neutered, their distinctive cries during mating or territorial disputes can be disruptive. There have even been cases where people developed severe insomnia and required medical treatment because of the cats' cries.

Online commenters largely criticized the author of the appeal. One commenter wrote, "I understand the concern for the cats themselves, but consideration for the location and method is necessary. If you feel so sorry for the cats, you should take them home and care for them yourself."