10 best cat towns for a purrfect visit

Did you know that cats are good stress relievers? 

The simple act of petting a cat or being around one can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of happiness, relaxation, and comfort.

If you don’t believe the words of cat lovers, then trust that research has the science to back it up.

In 2015, research conducted by the University of Zurich explained that cats aren’t simply small beings who are dependent on humans — humans receive comfort from them too. There’s also another scientific scale measuring the amount of emotional support you get from your cat, based on how likely you are to seek them out in different stressful situations.

So if you want to release stress, it’s time to pack up your bags and go on a little trip to where cats have conquered not only homes but entire towns. 

Though one question might come to mind about these feline-tastic towns: Are the cats here actually well taken care of?

Many street cats are struggling due to a shortage of food. Source: AFP

The sad truth about cat towns

Cat towns are definitely great on paper, but the reality is that many of these furry friends face many challenges. While these cats enjoy the attention of visitors all year round, there are underlying issues that affect their well-being.

Due to the lack of veterinarians in many of these cat towns (and the world, even), diseases can spread among the animals. For example, on Cat Island in Japan, where veterinary services are limited, many cats suffer from illnesses. Unfortunately, some cats, especially kittens, do not survive because of these health issues. 

Aside from that, food shortage is another big problem. Despite donations and visitors bringing food, these towns still often struggle to obtain enough food to feed the large population of cats.

Thus, as a visitor or maybe a fellow cat lover, consider donating pet food or money when you pop these cat towns by for a visit. 

8 cat towns around the world you can visit 

1. Aoshima, Japan

Aoshima in Japan is known as one of the most popular cat towns in the world, so much so that it is often referred to as Cat Island. 

Originally home to a fishing community, the people here began increasing the cat population in an attempt to control a rat infestation. As a small town with no natural predators for these cats, they began to multiply tremendously. 

Today, there are only about 6 human residents but more than 120 cats. From lounging along the harbourfront to laying in yards and even inside public garbage bins, these furry creatures can be found everywhere. 

However, efforts are being made to manage the huge cat population by creating a designated feeding area where visitors can interact safely with the cats.

If you plan on visiting Aoshima, it is only accessible by ferry, which runs twice daily from Nagaham Port.

Tashirojima Island is a refreshing spot inhabited by many carefree cats. Source: AFP

2. Tashirojima, Japan

Funnily enough, Aoshima isn’t Japan’s only cat town. Located further north of the country lies Tashirojima, another island conquered by these furry pets. 

Unlike Aoshima where cats were brought in to control the rat population, Tashirojima’s cat population was bred to help with silkworm farming. These feline companions were here with a job, and that was to help control pests threatening the silkworms and their silk production. 

However, as the industry and residents declined, the population of cats grew, leading to their overpopulation, which currently numbers several hundred. Meanwhile, the number of residents has reduced to fewer than a hundred and consists mostly of elderly folk.  

But don’t worry. The cats remain well-fed and cared for by the local fishermen and the residents. 

Cats can help your mood by increasing serotonin and decreasing cortisol, which leads to greater well-being. Source: AFP

3. Houtong, Taiwan

Houtong, Taiwan, is another famous cat town that cat lovers must visit. Established in the 1920s under Japanese colonial rule, Houtong was a rich mining town producing the largest coal output of a single area in Taiwan. 

While the town saw a population peak of around 6,000 back in the day, the closure of the mine in 1990 led to a decline in that number, leaving only roughly 100 residents today. But where its human residents left, its feline residents moved in.

In 2008, a local resident began encouraging locals to take in stray cats. This one act has since marked Houtong as Taiwan’s premier cat town, boasting over 200 feline residents in the area.

This number alone has boosted the annual visitor count up to about 870,000 in 2016. Tourists come to photograph the cats lounging around the village, which features cat-themed shops and restaurants.

It is estimated that Turkey has around four million stray cats. Source: AFP

4. Kalkan, Turkey

Kalkan in Turkey is renowned for its feline residents. Here, you will find the Kalkan Association for the Protection of Street Animals (KAPSA), a voluntary organisation founded in 2008 by locals and expatriates.

KAPSA’s mission is to manage the stray cat population in Kalkan through a trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme. This involves trapping stray cats, neutering them, providing essential healthcare, and then releasing them back into the streets. 

The organisation relies on donations to feed and care for over a thousand cats during this period. The cats are well cared for and can be seen lying around Kalkan. If you are visiting and hoping to get a picture of the cats, many of them can be found at the mosque and Kalkan’s beach.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is home to approximately 60 polydactyl cats. Source: AFP

5. Florida Keys, US

Florida Keys is famous for many reasons, one of which is American author Ernest Hemingway’s legacy. Here, you’ll find the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, a historical site that is home to a unique colony of polydactyl (six-toed) cats.

It all started in the 1930s when a sailor gave Hemingway a white six-toed cat named Snowball. Snowball’s descendants, around 60 cats, still reside there today. These cats are believed to carry the polydactyl gene, meaning they can produce six-toed offspring, although not all of them exhibit this trait.

The cats, which vary in colour and size, are named after famous people — a tradition that continues today with names like Audrey Hepburn and Pablo Picasso.

The museum staff cares for the cats, which are a popular attraction for visitors. The cats usually lounge in the gardens, flower beds, and pool area.

6. Istanbul, Turkey

Did you know that Istanbul is also known as the “City of Cats” and is sometimes called “Catstanbul”?

Currently, it is estimated that there are around 125,000 to 750,000 stray cats in the city, and they are a big part of the city’s culture and daily life. 

Aside from lounging on sidewalks, napping in shop windows, and wandering freely through neighbourhoods, street cats can be seen at the city’s iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and mosques, where cats are even officially allowed to enter. 

Despite many cats being feral, they are well-fed and cared for, as the city is known for its longstanding coexistence between humans and cats.

Many tourists travel from around the world to visit these cat towns. Source: AFP

7. Rome, Italy

Rome is another one of the most famous cat towns in the world. With so many historical structures around the city, stray cats have their pick of shelter and safety, especially around the ancient ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina. This area, known as the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C., has become a sanctuary for the city’s stray cats.

Better yet, in the 1990s, the Torre Argentina Roman Cat Sanctuary was established to ensure better care and management of the cat population. The sanctuary is dedicated to feeding, neutering, and caring for the cats. Since 2000, around 30,000 sterilisations have been carried out to control the stray population.

Today, around 150 cats live in and around the ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina. The sanctuary has a nearby facility where visitors can meet the cats and even adopt one. 

8. Lima, Peru 

While not entirely a cat town, Peru’s Parque Kennedy in Lima’s Miraflores District is where you’ll find frequent sightings of furry felines. 

This local park has existed since the early 1900s and is located near landmarks such as the Virgen Milagrosa Church and the Municipalidad de Miraflores. Today, Parque Kennedy has become synonymous with its large cat population of over 100 stray cats who enjoy the company of tourists.

Here, the Grupo Voluntario de Defensa Felina (Feline Protection Volunteer Group) provides care for the cats, such as spaying and neutering, medical attention, and food. The organisation ensures that the cats remain healthy and the park stays clean.