Saving and saved by stray cats

江蘇鹽城市射陽縣陳洋中學 馬秀艷

題材 人與動物 體裁 新聞報道文章詞數348 難度 ★★★ 建議用時7′

有一個村莊，在經濟發展的大潮中掉隊了，后來村民救助了很多流浪貓。讓人想不到的是，這個村莊也被這些貓救活了。

海詞積累

1.feline adj.貓科的

2.mecca n.勝地；令人向往的地方

3.pedestrian adj.行人的

4.spotlight n.聚光燈

5.magnet n.有吸引力的人（或地方）；磁鐵

6.vaccinate v.給……接種疫苗

7.erect v.豎立；搭起

The moment you arrive at Houtong Village in northern Taiwan, you'll have no trouble knowing who the real stars are.There's a catshaped bridge,pet food bowls on the side of the walkways, street signs with cat pictures, catthemed cafes and,of course,furry feline friends roaming（漫步）freely everywhere.

In the early 1900s,Houtong,in New Taipei City,was the biggest and most technologically advanced coal-mining site in Taiwan.It was a prosperous town with about 6,000 residents and workers, before the mine fell into disuse in 1990.

As most young residents moved away for better opportunities,Houtong became a sleepy village with about 100 residents.But in 2010,Houtong's fame took off after a cat lover and photographer started blogging about the village's growing stray（無主的）cat population.

Houtong was transformed into a cat-lover mecca while also providing a source of income for local villagers.Many of the stray cats,now given affectionate nicknames,are taken care of by local villagers as well as a troop of volunteers.

In addition to the village's many cute kittythemed shops and cafes,the local government has also seized the opportunity to highlight its long history.

An award-winning pedestrian cat bridge was built.A cat information and education center opened in 2014,featuring elevated cat walkways on the facade （正面）of the building.A museum park dedicated to the town's former mining life opened in 2010,later hosting a cat lantern festival in 2012.

But Houtong,now under the spotlight,isn't completely perfect.According to local reports,the town has become a magnet for those looking for a place to abandon their unwanted pets.During the most recent survey,it was estimated that the village is now home to about 286 cats—50 head more than two years ago.

With the constant patting and feeding from visitors, some also stirred concerns about the health of the furry residents. The department works with local residents and volunteers to vaccinate the cats and provide regular medical treatment.Signs have been erected around town advising visitors how to behave while also pleading with pet owners to be responsible.

——From CNN

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