UK national dies after lifetime caring for 200 stray cats in Taiwan

英國人在台灣照顧200隻流浪貓後過世

'Grandpa Jerry' Mackay remembered in Kaohsiung for compassionate care for cats


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — U.K. national Jerry Mackay, known to many as “Grandpa Jerry,” passed away at 5 p.m. on Monday (July 8).

He was known for his love of cats, caring for as many as 200 strays in Kaohsiung’s Linyuan District. As he approached 80, he found it more difficult to provide such care, putting many of his cats up for adoption, per CNA.

He shared his passion for cats with netizens, operating a Facebook page where he posted regular updates and photos of the cats he looked after. The Jerry McKay Cats page grew to 13,000 followers before his passing.

One fan was Koumintang Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiou Yu-shiuan (邱于軒), who posted on her Facebook page, "There has been some recent bad news for pets in our community, as Grandpa Jerry in Linyuan returned to heaven yesterday afternoon, I hope Grandpa has a good journey."

The Kaohsiung Association of Caring for Stray Animals also posted a message about McKay’s passing and funeral arrangements, which would be arranged by a charity and include a tree burial as his last wish.

McKay came to Taiwan by chance in 1984 and fell in love with the country. He became a Taiwanese citizen and taught at the Open University of Kaohsiung, settling in the nearby Linyuan District.

Stray cats often appeared near his residence, and as a lover of cats, he began feeding them. Soon, his actions attracted even more stray animals, which came to depend on his regular feeding.

Mckay took an active interest in every cat he fed or cared for, identifying which ones felt lonely, and which ones needed more attention. In a way, stray cats were like his children, as he was meticulous with his care and spent nearly his entire savings feeding the large group of cats.