In Gucun, Baoshan District, Shanghai, a previously unremarkable urban corner has quietly blossomed into an "urban cat island," a space dedicated to fostering compassion and raising public awareness.
Here, stray cats find a temporary shelter, while the site also serves as a multifunctional platform promoting responsible pet ownership, animal protection, and public outreach.
"Many residents don't realize that managing stray cats in communities involves more than simply 'seeing and feeding,'" explained Zha Zhenliang, head of the urban cat island project.
Behind the idea of the cat island lies a comprehensive framework of source-level management and responsibility advocacy, centered on the internationally recognized TNR model (Trap-Neuter-Return).
This is a scientifically recognized approach worldwide and serves as the foundation for the project's operations.
In reality, not all cats are suitable for return to their communities. Injured or sick cats, kittens, and those highly dependent on humans often struggle to survive once released.
"Residents and volunteers often ask: what should we do with these cats?" This question inspired the establishment of the urban cat island.
The project was first launched in Laogang Town, Pudong New Area, with support from compassionate enterprises and in collaboration with public welfare organizations. It provides a safe, warm transit space for stray cats that cannot return to the streets, while also serving as a bridge for citizens willing to adopt them.
This year, the project underwent a full upgrade, relocating to Gucun in Baoshan District—a denser urban area with more active community interactions. The initiative has since evolved from a temporary shelter into a multifunctional public awareness hub.
"Through interactive and educational designs, we hope more citizens will understand what it truly means to be a responsible pet owner," Zha said. According to him, any stray animals are not the result of natural reproduction but stem from irresponsible abandonment.
Consequently, the cat island serves not only as a refuge for cats but also as a platform for discussing social responsibility.
Notably, its spatial design continues the "ecological co-creation" concept established during the Pudong New Area.
The second phase in Gucun will create outdoor areas that mimic natural habitats, respecting the cats' instincts and allowing them to retain their wild nature while living in the city.
"The boundaries of a city should not be defined solely for humans; we hope this can be a space where people, animals, and nature coexist." In a global metropolis like Shanghai, how human-pet relationships are managed has become a telling microcosm of urban governance.
Public initiatives like the cat island are gradually becoming catalysts for urban civility, reminding us that every small life deserves gentle care and that every human-pet bond deserves thoughtful attention.
The cat island is now officially open. Looking ahead, the project plans to partner with more communities and schools to explore a new "community co-building and public welfare co-education" model, sowing seeds of responsibility and kindness throughout the city.
(Reporter & Cameraman: Kong Wenqiong; Editors: Rainy, Kong Wenqiong; Translator: Zheng Xiaoyi; English Editor: Darius)
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