The living space for cats in a household in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, has become extremely cramped. Responsible pet ownership is crucial, yet one resident has been found to keep an excessive number of cats and dogs, leading to significant disturbances for nearby neighbors due to foul odors. The landlord has issued an eviction notice, prompting the Animal Protection Office to investigate. They discovered that the owner had 81 cats and 3 dogs.
The animals had not been neutered or vaccinated against rabies, resulting in a fine of NT$403,000 (approximately USD $13,500) imposed by the Animal Protection Office. Additionally, efforts are being made to assist in finding homes for the kittens. The resident lives on the first floor of a community building in Xizhi, where upon entering the balcony area used for keeping animals, a strong ammonia smell was immediately noticeable. The overwhelming number of cats included 25 kittens and 56 adult cats.
Conditions were dire; there was insufficient cat litter, food, and water, leading to injuries among the cats due to overcrowding. During discussions with the owner, it was revealed that her daughter had rescued 15 stray cats years ago but had since moved away and had little contact with her mother. The daughter only sent money for their care. Typically, male cats were kept in cages while females roamed freely outside, occasionally leading to uncontrolled breeding.
The Animal Protection Office assessed the situation and fined the owner NT$3,000 for failing to provide adequate space for the animals, NT$250,000 for not neutering them, and NT$150,000 for the lack of rabies vaccinations—totaling NT$403,000. The owner's daughter expressed disbelief upon learning that the number of cats had proliferated into dozens after two years apart from her mother.
The Animal Protection Office emphasizes that pet owners should ensure their pets are neutered to reduce the risk of reproductive health issues and aggressive behaviors associated with mating seasons. Moreover, potential pet owners must evaluate their living conditions to ensure they can provide sufficient space and maintain cleanliness to avoid legal repercussions.
“Failing to spay or neuter pets and allowing female cats to breed multiple litters is a violation of animal protection laws.”
