Hong Kong Wants A Cat Park

Yes, you read that right. Cat lovers in Hong Kong are asking their government to build a park specifically for the use of their beloved cats. The feline lovers state that it is high time that Hong Kong builds its first cat park to accommodate Hong Kong's 330,000 feline residents.

United Feline Odyssey

Many organizations are becoming publicly involved in this debate, with some stating that cats could never actually appreciate their own park, whilst others are defiantly stating that cats, like dogs, need an outlet for safe play and exercise with other felines.

One such organization is Hong Kong's United Feline Odyssey. The pressure group organized a rally at the Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill, Hong Kong. In attendance to show their support were more than 30 pet lovers and their excited felines.

Cheung Kei, the president of the United Feline Odyssey explained that the biggest threat to his group's success was from people who did not believe that cats needed outdoor activity. However, Cheung Kei, and his group, wants Hong Kong's citizens to know that cats have an equal right to a park of their own and that many people in Hong Kong approve of such a park.

"We have received many complaints from Hong Kong cat owners saying there are no public places for their pets. They can only stay at home, which is affecting their health and physical development," Cheung explained.

Plans for the Cat Park

Chung Kong-mo, district councilor for the Yau Tsim Mong neighborhood, is one of the key players in the 'Cat Park Debate'. Interestingly, Chung successfully fought for the region’s very first dog park in May of 2008.

"Before we go any further, we need to gauge the atmosphere about this idea and get support and opinions from the public. Then we will officially discuss it with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department," said Chung.

So far, the preliminary plan for the cat park is to adapt a part of a dog park, which is already in use, at Ferry Street in Yau Ma Tei, into a recreational area for cats. According to Chung this area would include a variety of equipment and activities suitable for cats to use.

In fact, Chung is so confident that the cat park will be a huge success amongst Hong Kong's citizens that he believes that shopping malls as well as private residential areas will quickly become involved in the creation and support of a cat park.

"Having a cat park may be a selling point to attract shoppers and new households," stated Chung.

The Cat Park Site

In Hong Kong's Plaza Hollywood, an area of roughly 1,000 square feet was tested out as a possible site for the cat park. This site included a tunnel, fence and ladder for the resident cats to climb and play on.

Whilst the tested site in Plaza Hollywood was quite large, Cheung Kei of United Feline Odyssey, believes that an area of a few hundred square feet would be more than adequate for a permanent site for the cat park as the design and necessary materials and fixtures were simple to build.

"Setting up one 'cat park' would not cost much money, so we're here to urge the government to show some concern for the creatures," she explained.

The American Perspective on the Cat Park

A professional animal trainer from the USA, Barbara Reimer, was also in attendance at the rally. Although Reimer was there primarily to teach Hong Kong's pet lovers how to successfully train their pets to do difficult moves, she was happy to show her support of the cat park.

Reimer, who is a human companion to 11 felines, said: "There is a need to have recreation areas to give chances for cats to socialize and also for children to play with them."

Photo Credit: schlomif2