The abandonment trend is serious -Love Dad- helped 250 stray cats find homes

In an inspiring initiative, Taiwanese immigrant Wu Cheng-Jun, who resides in New Jersey and works in e-commerce, has dedicated himself to rescuing stray cats in the Greater New York area. What started as a simple act of feeding stray cats in areas known for their high populations of homeless felines has blossomed into the establishment of a nonprofit organization focused on cat rescue. Over the past few years, Wu has helped around 250 stray cats find loving homes.

About eight years ago, during a visit to a McDonald’s drive-thru in Newark, NJ, Wu stumbled upon a small cat peeking out from near a dumpster. When he brought cat food to feed it, he was appalled to discover a total of ten stray cats in the area. This moment sparked his commitment to feeding stray cats regularly, earning him the affectionate title of “cat dad.” “The number of stray cats in relation to the area’s income is inversely proportional; places like Newark and Harrison have a lot of them,” Wu noted.

Through his cat-feeding efforts, Wu met other cat enthusiasts in the neighborhood. They banded together, pooling resources to rescue cats in need, ensuring they received spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and ultimately, loving homes. Wu discovered that leveraging his personal social network and social media made the adoption process more efficient. Currently, he helps about three to four stray cats find homes each week.

Wu adheres to the “TNR” principle in his rescue work, which stands for Trap, Neuter, and Return. This approach ensures that cats capable of surviving in the wild do not breed excessively, while also helping social and domesticated cats find human care, protecting them from abuse, and keeping them from threatening local wildlife.

A significant portion of the adopters for Wu’s rescued cats are young Chinese students and recent graduates. He explained that while these individuals are eager to adopt pets, obstacles like visa issues, income, and experience often prevent them from meeting the criteria set by larger animal rescue organizations. “While the lower adoption standards can increase the likelihood of cats being returned, I accept this risk. I believe finding them temporary homes is more urgent than leaving them on the streets,” Wu admitted. “I’ve seen some adopters fly cats back to Taiwan or China, and even if a few fail, most successful placements make it worthwhile.”

Wu has observed a troubling surge in pet abandonments in the Greater New York area. During the pandemic, many people sought out cats and dogs as companions while under lockdown, leading to a spike in adoptions. However, since 2022, many individuals who had previously shown compassion have decided to relinquish their pets, citing reasons like moving, pet restrictions from landlords, children losing interest in pets, and allergies. “We started with a focus on rescuing cats but now spend a significant amount of time managing abandonments,” he explained.

Recently, Wu teamed up with fellow cat lovers Long, Erin, Mia, and Lynn to establish a nonprofit organization called the “Cat Allies Project.” This initiative aims to reduce the economic burden on him while fostering a brighter future for the cat rescue community. Initially, Wu funded all the expenses related to rescuing stray cats—including vaccinations, medical checks, and basic supplies—often investing around $250 per cat. Through this organization, he hopes to secure donations that will not only support ongoing rescue efforts but also alleviate financial stress for other cat lovers. “Those at the grassroots level of animal rescue are often the financially weakest,” Wu stated, emphasizing that many cat advocates prioritize buying cat food over their own needs. He is optimistic that his organization can provide substantial financial support to these community members, allowing them to care for cats without sacrificing their quality of life.

Wu encourages prospective pet owners to consider adopting rather than purchasing pets. “Stray cats tend to appreciate their new homes more; they can be more well-behaved and understanding. With the recent rise in abandonments, those looking to buy might find the breed they want at a shelter.” For readers and listeners interested in adopting stray cats, he invites them to search for the Xiaohongshu account “9473330187” to connect with “Cat Allies Project.”