TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Pingtung to mark the opening of a cat food factory, a step forward for Taiwan’s domestic pet food industry, per Liberty Times.

The new facility, designed in the shape of a cat, is located in the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park and was built by pet food company Cat in Love. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said Taiwan has traditionally relied on imported pet food, making it difficult to manage sourcing and ensure consistent quality.

Chen said the new facility, which will use domestic ingredients, will give the ministry greater oversight of production. This, in turn, will improve quality and safeguard the welfare of pets in Taiwan.

Chen said ministry data showed Taiwan’s cat and dog population reached 3.2 million, up from approximately 2.79 million in 2024. New pet registrations totaled around 250,000 last year.

Cats account for 1.74 million of the total, highlighting their growing popularity and signaling an expanding consumer market. With most pet food currently imported and varying in quality, the situation has created confusion among pet owners and increased demand for domestically produced alternatives.

The ministry said that as the pet-centered consumer segment grows, the local pet food industry can leverage high-quality domestic ingredients to significantly improve product standards. The ministry added that it fully supports such initiatives to benefit both pets and their owners.

Cat in Love Chair Wang Chih-yuan (王志遠) said the factory is expected to fully open to tourists next year, integrating manufacturing, tourism, and brand development into a single experience.