The Cat Lady Abroad: Siem Reap Pagoda Cats
There aren’t any official animal shelters in Siem Reap, but when I googled around I found Siem Reap Pagoda Cats, a one woman show run by expat Josette Vanneur. Josette goes each morning to a local pagoda to take care of the many cats living there. I contacted her and she got back to me quickly and helpfully, arranging her trusted tuktuk driver Mr. Ratha to pick me up one morning. Mr. Ratha even called my host family to make sure he knew where to go!
We picked up Josette on the way to the pagoda and she was a ball of energy, the tiniest woman laden down with cat food and medicine. She told me all about how she formed her relationship with the monks at the pagoda and the heartbreak that has come over the years with losing many of the animals in her care. Like many of the other places I have visited in southeast Asia, the typical western model of rescuing cats and adopting them out isn’t seamless, as the loving care of cats and dogs as house pets is just not as big a part of the culture as it is in the West.
Mr. Ratha’s tuktuk rolled up to the pagoda and dozens of cats trotted right over to Josette. First she fed them and then checked each one carefully.
Some cats needed a little medication and Josette has learned over the years how to administer basic treatments to help with the many eye, ear, and other ailments common in stray cats.
Then we went over to see a monk who has a special interest in animals. He keeps several kittens in a safe enclosure on his porch and cares for them. Josette checked in on each kitten and discussed updates with the monk; he told her which kittens weren’t eating or faring well, and she gave him advice.
The monk was so kind and excited to show me videos on his phone of his cats and dogs. I gingerly sat next to him, being careful not to make any body contact as the monks aren’t allowed to touch women.
Sitting next to a Buddhist monk in his saffron robes, handing him a can of Friskies, and cuddling kittens was definitely one of the highlights of my visit to Cambodia. If you are in Siem Reap, I can highly recommend a visit to Josette and her pagoda cats!
