Fengshan Longshan Temple's Pet Exorcism Service Ends Due to Owner Negligence

Fengshan Longshan Temple, a national historic site in Kaohsiung with over 300 years of history, enshrines Guanyin Bodhisattva and is the southernmost and second oldest of Taiwan's five Longshan Temples. The temple gained widespread fame online and among pet owners for its compassionate "pet exorcism" service, which once catered to cats, dogs, rabbits, turtles, and even geese. However, the temple officially posted a notice on September 30, 2026, announcing a complete ban on pets and the cessation of the pet exorcism service, much to the dismay of many pet parents. Temple chairman Liu Jin-chung explained to the media that the decision to cancel the service was due to the long-term non-compliance of some owners with regulations. Although the temple had previously announced that medium to large dogs entering the temple must wear muzzles, many owners still let their dogs roam freely, resulting in injuries to the temple's female volunteers (shijie) who performed the exorcisms, and even frightening nearby children. Liu Jin-chung emphasized, "When people brought their dogs for exorcism, they didn't put muzzles on them. The dogs ended up scratching our volunteers, and the owners wouldn't even apologize or suggest seeing a doctor. That's why the service was canceled." The decision has drawn mixed reactions from devotees. Some believe temple rules must be followed, while others admit that large dogs can indeed be concerning, stating, "If they jump, we can't protect the children." The heartwarming scene of owners queuing with their pets for exorcism is now a thing of the past at Longshan Temple. The temple stressed that while the original intent of exorcism was to bring peace of mind, they had to reluctantly end this unique service of many years when safety and order could no longer be maintained. Pet owners seeking blessings for their beloved animals will now have to look elsewhere.