animal – Beijing Kids

Meet the Two Tianjin Sisters Sacrificing It All to Shelter Unwanted Animals – and How You Can Help

Admin — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 05:00:46 +0000

In Tanggu, a coastal district of Tianjin, over 100 dogs, and 20 cats live on a farm with two sisters, Da Gaojie and Xiao Gaojie, who have given up everything they have in order to care for them. Feeding and medicating that many animals is more than a full-time job, and the sisters rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers to keep their shelter going. Amanda, a Brazilian expat who lives in Tianjin, is one such volunteer and travels to meet with the sisters on a regular basis to help with chores and animal caretaking, bringing supplies from the city along the way.

When videographer Michael Shapiro heard about these women’s noble efforts thanks to Amanda, he immediately knew he had to tell their story. Shapiro’s documentary, released today, features interviews with the sisters and documents the tough realities of their day-to-day lives as the sisters care for the animals which they consider no less than family:

Amanda met the Gao sisters three years ago when she adopted her own dog from friends of the sisters. She tells the Beijinger that the shelter is always in need of volunteers to adopt or foster animals, but most of all, they need help to secure the future of the shelter. Currently, the sisters are at risk of losing their lease on the farm where they rent a small space to live and care for the animals.

It wouldn’t be the first time that they were forced to pick up and move to a new location either. The pair were previously ejected from another farm because of the animals, and from another because of a sporting event that forced them off the land. Despair peaked when they were exiled to a plot of land ten hours outside of Tianjin by car, not knowing that the area was tainted by the remains of other animals that had been butchered there. The dogs began to fall ill, and a couple of dozen died. The sisters had no choice but to move to what Amanda describes as a “wasteland,” where the sisters were forced to take up lodging in a container meant for sheep.

These pups and their carers have not had the easiest life

It was a low point that seemed impossible to recover from, but thanks to Amanda and others, they are filled with renewed hope. With enough help, the Gao sisters may be able to purchase their own lot, and finally have the stability that they and their animals deserve.

To learn more about how your donations and volunteering can help, visit the shelter’s website at jianaishelter.com, or you can donate directly by scanning the QR code below.

READ: Where to Adopt Rescue Animals in Beijing

Images courtesy of Jian Ai Animal Shelter

Doggy of the Week: Meet MiLu

Nimo_Wanjau — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 08:00:00 +0000

There are hundreds of animals hoping to find loving homes in Beijing. If you are considering adopting a pet, Doggy/Moggy of the Week will feature animals from volunteer shelters, animal rescue groups, foster care providers, and pet owners needing to rehome animals. This week’s puppy, MiLu, is from ICVS’ Adoptable Pets.

Introduction: Hi everyone, my name is MiLu!

Background: I am a two-month old puppy who was found wandering and lost on the road. I was rescued and taken in by a very kind family who have been giving me great care. I am ready to find a forever adoption family.

Personality: I am a very brave and energetic puppy and am not afraid of large dogs. I can jump from high places and like to try new things. I do not chew on furniture or paper, but I do enjoy chew toys. I love chicken and chasing toys and objects around the house. I know my name, “MiLu,” which was given to me because I was lost on the road when I was found. I respond immediately and run towards you when I hear the words “come” or “lai 来.”

Ideal home: I would be very happy with an individual, a couple or a family with older children (8 yrs. or older). I would be fine if with another dog. I will be a family member for life so taking me overseas when relocating is essential.

Sex, age and breed: MiLu is a two-month old, small mixed breed female dog.

Medical notes: MiLu is healthy and has already started on vaccinations.

Post-adoption care: The International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has enrolled me into their Rescued/Stray/Rehomed Pet Adoption Benefits Program. ICVS will provide my new family with significant discounts (up to 50%) on my vaccinations, accompanying examinations and spay surgery during my first year of life with my new family.

Official Vaccination Certificate: With my rabies vaccination, ICVS will issue my new family the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (e.g., vaccination red book) at no charge. I need the official vaccination red book to prove I have been legally and properly rabies vaccinated to move to another city or to leave China with my family.

Official Spay/Neuter Certificate for Dogs: After my spay surgery, ICVS will issue my new family the official Spay/Neuter Certificate that will provide my owner with a 50% discount (e.g., up to RMB 500 savings) on the dog license registration fee at the Public Security Bureau.

Puppy and Adult Dog Obedience Training Programs at ICVS: ICVS has introduced new puppy and adult dog obedience training programs. The dog training classes will help me and my family live a more harmonious life together. All profits from the puppy and adult dog training programs will be donated to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs.

ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
Please support and donate to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs. Your donations support ICVS in helping the many pets like Bubi and the many stray/rescued/abandoned and shelter animals in our community. The pets receive medical care, treatments, good nutrition and socialization with love and compassion that allows them to become healthy adoptable pets.

Please also contact ICVS for more information about beautiful adoptable pets:
Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940
Email: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com

Photo: ICVS

Woof! Woof! Little Adoption Shop Needs Your Help

Sun, 05 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

When Chris Barden started Little Adoption Shop, he knew it wouldn’t be an easy job, but he has created a safe haven for stray dogs, saving many of them from the meat trade. However, it requires a bit of funding to take care of these animals and give them high quality medical care. Right now, Chris really needs support from the community to keep Little Adoption Shop up and running.

The shop, in the suburbs of Beijing, is currently taking care of 125 dogs. Dogs at Little Adoption Shop receive top healthcare with the help of professional veterinarians. When a new dog arrives to the shop, he or she is kept in quarantine for a few days and is taken to the hospital for a check-up. All the pets are healthy, spayed or neutered, and immunized.

To learn more, check their website, Weibo and a Facebook page to keep people updated on the condition of our little friends and the arrival of new dogs – all of whom are looking to be adopted into permanent homes.

The best way to help these animals and Chris’s team is to adopt a dog (or a couple!) and/or make a donation. Of course, they are also open to new volunteers who love animals and are willing to help.

“In China, there is a huge stray animal population, which is driven in part by the speed at which neighborhoods are torn down to make way for new developments, [This leaves] behind a growing and very vulnerable population of stray animals.” Chris Barden explains.

If you are thinking to open your house to a new pet, consider adoption instead of purchase; stray dogs are just as cute and are just as much, if not more, in need of tender, loving care.

Contact Chris directly at you’re interested in adopting, volunteering, or making a donation.

Photo: Sui

Rabies-Free Friends

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28 is World Rabies Day – a friendly reminder to vaccinate you and your pet against this deadly virus. Rabies, a fatal viral disease, is 100 percent preventable.

Read more about the disease and how to prevent it here at International SOS Clinic’s website.

Contact International SOS about a rabies vaccine for you and your kids.

Contact ICVS or your local vet about vaccinating your pet.

Also, here are some interesting facts from ICVS:

Did you know?

– More than 55,000 people around the world die of rabies every year
– The majority of these rabies deaths occurs in Asia and Africa
– More than 50% of these rabies deaths are among children under the age of 15-years
– The rabies virus is transmitted from animals to humans through saliva. You do not have to be "bitten" to become infected. You can also be infected through scratches and licks on broken skin, on lips, nose and eyes, by an infected dog, cat or other animal
– Rabies is the leading fatal infectious disease in China today with more than 3,000 rabies deaths annually
– In China, more than 95% of rabies transmissions are from dogs
– Less than 10% of dogs are vaccinated against rabies in China, despite a national law requiring annual rabies vaccinations for all dogs
– Rabies is 100% preventable with rabies vaccinations for pets and pre- and post-exposure rabies vaccinations for people!