Founding and team members of Animals Asia have been working in Asia for nearly 25 years. Over this time we have seen change for the better for animals – especially in China - as more people embrace the concept of animal protection and call for measures to end abuse and suffering. Our work is accelerating empathy for wild and domestic animals across the country.
Investigations Animals Asia investigators continue to monitor animal markets across Asia, researching the changing dynamics of the horrendous trade in dogs and cats for food. Regular trips enable us to catalogue abuse and target areas where action is desperately needed, whilst increasing our understanding and progressing solutions to the sensitive issue of dog and cat eating.
Legislation Pet ownership in Mainland China is booming and while this boom brings its share of both positive and somewhat negative impacts for companion animals, our work is helping a new animal-loving population to stand up and speak out for what they believe in. We have been calling for the implementation and enforcement of comprehensive legislation to protect all animals from cruelty for many years and we are working with Chinese law professors currently drafting such legislation. We will continue to call for measures to ban the immensely cruel raising, transporting and slaughtering of dogs and cats for food. Please click here for more details.
Chinese welfare groups
To help further this message of empathy for all animals in China we are working with dedicated individuals and animal welfare organizations across the country. In early 2009 we provided emergency veterinary care and support to Qiming Dog Rescue Centre in Chengdu following the rescue of 149 dogs destined for a live animal market. Click here for more information.
In October 2009 our veterinary team provided veterinary support to the Xi'an Companion Animal Rescue Centre run by dedicated animal protectionist, Jiang Hong. Our vet team performed essential surgeries and neutering of cats and dogs held at the centre.
Our Companion Animal Teams based in Guangzhou and Chengdu organize regular educational events with volunteers to raise awareness of the immense cruelty involved within the dog and cat meat trade and provide advice and resources for welfare organisations across the country to carry out similar events.
Companion Animal Symposiums
Grass-roots education is a vital first step towards mass improvement of animal welfare across Asia. In 2006 we proudly hosted the first ever China Companion Animal Symposium. This ground-breaking event saw 32 Chinese animal welfare groups from across China join together to share the many problems they face and call with one voice for new solutions to help dogs and cats in China.
The success of the China Companion Animal Symposium continues to grow and in 2009 we held the 3rd Symposium which saw 130 delegates, representing 63 animal-welfare groups and veterinary clinics from across the country once again coming together to speak as one voice for animals in China.
At the end of the symposium all representatives agreed to call on the Chinese government to ban the consumption of cats and dogs countrywide. After years of patient, persistent work it is remarkable that this message is now coming directly from within China. Read more about the symposium here..
Following the latest appalling dog 'cull' in Hanzhong City in June 2009, Animals Asia supported a rabies forum organized by local and international medical and welfare organisations, including the China Medical Association, the China Medical Rescue Association, Beijing's Capital Animal Welfare Association and ACTAsia for Animals.
This forum demonstrates the strength of feeling coming from within China to end these cruel culls. To aid this progress Animals Asia has provided recommendations to the Chinese government on humane dog population management through education, neutering, registration, licensing and vaccination.
Please see our letter to the authorities outlining these recommendations.
Doctor Dog and Professor Paws
A tidal wave of support for animal welfare is developing within China and now sees mainstream support for the introduction of programmes such as "animal therapy". Our successful Dr. Dog programme sees over 300 professional dog "doctors" in 6 countries of Asia visiting hospitals, homes for the young and elderly, disabled centres, schools, orphanages and detention centres, spreading our mission of animal welfare and love and respect for animals. We are proud to say that this programme is now reaching out to thousands of people across China.
In 2008 Animals Asia's Dr. Dogs took on a brand new role in China as 'Professor Paws' to teach Chinese primary children about the importance of companion animals; compassion for all living creatures; safety around dogs and responsible pet care. Click here for more details.
Dr Eddie: Friend or Food?
Our 16-minute educational video entitled "Dr Eddie: Friend or Food?" tells the story of “Eddie” one of our mixed-breed Dr. Dogs who was originally rescued by Jill from a Chinese live animal market where he was waiting to be slaughtered and eaten. Eddie poignantly narrates the film (through the voice of Chinese superstar and dog lover Richie Jen) and gives a message of hope that even a mixed-breed market dog can make a wonderful Dr. Dog, while compelling people to reconsider their views on dog eating and to embrace all companion animals as friends…not food.
VCD's of the film are being distributed free of charge in a special pack, together with a basic pet care leaflet, Dr. Dog leaflet and an introductory letter from Jill explaining why we believe that dogs and cats deserve better. Over 350,000 packs have already been distributed right across China! You can watch a trailer on our website.
Helping market cats and street cats
Just like dogs, cats provide emotional support and therapy in to people's lives. Sadly in countries of Asia, including China, they are also bred and slaughtered for food. In China, many people's pet cats are also stolen and transported to the markets or sold directly to restaurants. Click here for further information on this despicable trade.
Thankfully, there are many caring and very active groups across the country that are determined to bring this practice to an end and actively rescue the cats from the warehouses and trucks. Animals Asia has helped to fund such rescues where the cats are confiscated into caring foster homes until they are well enough to be adopted into the community. Read more.
Animals Asia also lobbies the Chinese government directly when we are made aware of government organized cat-slaughter campaigns. This was the case in March 2008 when we heard of a government campaign in Beijing. Click here for details.
Animals Asia promotes responsible cat ownership and is working with local animal welfare groups, vets and caring citizens to fund Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) programmes helping street cats integrate safely into the community. Residents in these areas confirm how much they enjoy sharing their lives with the cats who are now vaccinated, microchipped and healthy and provide comfort especially for the elderly and those whose children have left home.
In 2009 Animals Asia worked in partnership with Guangzhou animal welfare group 'XiXi Cats' and a local veterinary clinic run by Dr John Wu to provide a humane solution to stray cat populations in residential areas of Guangzhou. Animals Asia remains committed to helping to reduce the stray cat population in China through humane methods.
Animals Asia recognizes that Cats are undoubtedly valuable companion animals bringing much benefit, health and happiness to their owners.
We still have a long way to go before we see a complete end to the barbaric slaughter of dogs and cats but progress is being made and we believe that working in this way and providing vital support for welfare groups in China we are seeing improvements in animal welfare for animals across China.
Sign our Cat and Dog Welfare petition to encourage the Chinese government to legislate against the killing of dogs and cats for food
Write a letter: Animals Asia never underestimates the power of the written word, and while a single letter or email may not seem like much, the collective expression of many people's opinions can help bring about real change. We urge you to do all that you can to encourage the Chinese Government to ban the consumption of dogs and cats nationwide. Please write a polite letter to the Chinese Ambassador and send it to the main embassy address in your country. Embassy addresses can be found here.
Working together and with your support we can bring about change for the better for all animals across China.
