KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Jerry McKay (馬凱杰), a British national known locally as "Grandpa Ma," passed away on Monday (July 8) at nearly 80 years old. McKay, who once cared for up to 200 cats in Linyuan District (林園區), Kaohsiung City, was well-versed in each cat's personality.
McKay came to Taiwan by chance around 1984, fell in love with the island, and became a Taiwanese citizen. He also taught at the Open University of Kaohsiung (高雄市立空中大學).
McKay was a cat lover and has adopted as many as 200 cats. In his later years, McKay found himself unable to continue caring for the cats due to his advanced age. He gradually arranged for their adoption and moved into a nursing home.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiu Yu-hsuan (邱于軒) expressed sorrow over McKay's passing in a Facebook post. A charity organization will handle McKay's funeral arrangements and will follow his wish for a tree burial.