Injured stray cat gets treatment via donation by Gwangju community

Julnyangi, a stray cat near Seoyoung University in Gwangju / Courtesy of Kim Jang-yoon

By Kim Se-jeong

Julnyangi is a male stray cat living near Seoyoung University in Gwangju, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul.

Unlike many stray cats in Korea which often die of starvation or accident at a young age, Julnyangi has been well taken care of by the students of the school and nearby residents.

But on April 25, the cat was hit by a minibus on the road in front of the university. The driver left the scene, leaving Julnyangi with injuries including his right eye hanging out of the socket.

Julnyangi rests at a hospital after surgery following a traffic accident. Courtesy of Kim Jang-yoon

Witnesses rushed him to a veterinary clinic where he received emergency treatment. He was in danger of losing his sight and needed surgery but no one volunteered to pay for the surgery. In the end he was sent to an animal shelter without the surgery.

Then Kim Jang-yoon, 67, a security guard at the university, came to the rescue. Learning about Julnyangi's story, he ran to the shelter and took him to a larger veterinary hospital.

The cat got surgery on April 26 and it cost Kim almost 12 million won ($8,961).

Unable to bear the burden alone, Kim started a fundraising campaign on social media among neighbors and university students. In three days, he raised 10 million won ($7,467). Learning about Kim's efforts, the veterinary hospital also gave a 50 percent discount on the fees.

“The surgery went well and he is well on his way to recovery,” Kim told The Korea Times. “I appreciate that the university students and neighbors donated money for the surgery. Thanks to their love, Julnyangi is now able to see again.”