Seoul’s Redevelopment Threatens Street Cats, Rescue Efforts Rise
Julie Choi runs YongsanCats, a small rescue network in Seoul’s Yongsan district. Since 2024 she estimates that more than 200 cats have been rescued from redevelopment zones around Hannam-dong and Bogwang-dong. The rapid pace of construction means neighborhoods change faster than a cat can understand and faster than a small rescue group can manage. When a fence is erected, residents leave, and feeding spots are blocked, street cats lose their familiar routes and safety.
Traditional trap-neuter-return programs are no longer viable for many cats because there is no safe place to return them. YongsanCats therefore focuses on safe trapping, veterinary care, foster care, and adoption. The organization must also move its own shelter on short notice, as happened in spring 2026 when the next phase of relocation forced a quick move.
Not every rescued cat reaches foster care in time, but each action-trapping, medical treatment, finding temporary space-helps build a path from an unsafe street to a home. For rescued cats, safety can mean simply being able to sleep without fear.
Key takeaways
- YongsanCats has rescued over 200 cats since 2024.
- Rapid redevelopment in Yongsan forces quick shelter moves and limits trap-neuter-return options.
- Safe trapping leads to veterinary care, foster care, and adoption.
- Many rescued cats still face uncertain futures, but each rescue step improves their safety.
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Originally reported by Cats Magazine. Read the full article.
Cover photo by 大 董 via Pexels.
