Taipei Travel

Stray Animals’ Rights Count!

Huang Chingjung Protects Furry Kids

Article｜Lu Yifeng

Photos｜Huang Jianbin

Furry Kids, as some people call their pets nowadays, have become as important as family members in modern life. They are often pampered by their owners, although some have become a kind of social problem, abandoned and living on the streets. But many people from NPOs such as the APA (Animal Protection Association of the Republic of China, 中華民國保護動物協會) are trying to improve the situation for homeless animals. These compassionate souls are devoted to finding a nurturing environment for stray animals, and are developing new more-refined ways of taking care of them.

▲For years, Huang has been reading up on animal care and updating his knowledge as it applies to the improvement of living conditions for stray animals. (Photo: Huang Jianbin)
 

Turning Around the Future for Strays

APA Secretary General, Dr. Huang Chingjung (黃慶榮), spent most of his childhood around dogs, pigs and cows, and feels deeply for animals. When he came to Taipei and opened his veterinary clinic, he noticed the stray dog issue in the city and quickly became an activist, promoting amendments to the animal protection laws. He joined the APA in 1999 and says with deep feeling: “It’s natural for me to speak up for animals, since I can’t bear to see them treated the wrong way. That’s why I propose all sorts of policies in the association, hoping that more furry kids will benefit from them.”

Huang also says, “Currently, our association is promoting the projects ‘Sponsor and Foster’ ‘Lucky Bark’ and ‘Furry Food Bank.’” Known to animal protection activists as the “idea hamster,” Dr. Huang continues to devise ways of improving living conditions for animals. In the “Sponsor and Foster” program, people can make a monthly donation, which goes towards a particular animal’s care at the shelter; but sponsors can also take their four-legged friends home for a few days and spend some happy time with them. The “Lucky Bark” project is designed to reduce the pressure on shelters filled with pups. It works with kennels all over Taiwan to let dogs have a bigger place to run around in. “Furry Food Bank” uses its donations to buy better quality food for kennels, which, in turn, allows kennels to spend their money on hiring staff. With sufficient manpower in place, all the furry kids have a better chance of being taken care of properly.

Huang believes that even though the stray dog and cat problem has improved, he stills calls on animal lovers to get involved by making small donations, volunteering at shelters and kennels, and working with the association. Schools and groups are always welcome to visit Bali Shelter (八里收容所) and get closer to their furry friends!

“If everyone contributes a little, these furry kids will be treated a lot better,” Huang says. Moving forward, the association is determined to keep spirits positive, warm and bright, while it continues its good work helping stray animals have better lives. Let’s make the core virtue: “Respect for Life” a part of our daily lives!