The kitten is tiny, white, sad, probably eight weeks old or less. My boyfriend Max and I see it running across the road, and by the time it reaches our side, it has been hit by a vehicle. It is bleeding and its back legs aren’t working.

I wait by the kitten, while my boyfriend runs up to our apartment to get a towel and a box. Panicking, I get on my phone and start messaging people. Unfortunately, I only have a few contacts in the animal rescue world, and I have no idea how to find a vet in China. I don’t hear back from anybody. I call my Chinese friends, asking for help.

Max comes back, towel and box in hand. I make my first mistake of the rescue and the kitten bites my finger. The bite didn’t hurt but I should have been more careful and not put myself at risk. Max throws the towel over the kitten and scoops it into the box. It is in poor shape.

My phone pings; my roommate sends me an address for a nearby vet. Max calls a taxi. We arrive at the address and find nothing there. It is just a training school for people working with large domesticated animals. I am crushed. The kitten is still moving so we rush to find another address. My phone pings again, Max waves down a cab, we go off again.

The cab pulls over, we look around. It is just a pet store. Max is irritated, I am questioning why I ever came to China. Why are things so hard here? This should have been so straightforward. I get on my phone, I still haven’t heard from any rescuers, and my friends are not sure how to find a veterinarian. The kitten is still breathing. I take a deep breath. We ask someone on the street in very broken Chinese, are there any animal doctors nearby? He directs us down the road.

We walk for a long time in the heat. We try to go as fast as possible without jostling the kitten. Finally, we find a place with a dog and cat sign. We walk in and Max explains that we have an injured kitten. The man tries to be helpful but he is not equipped to do surgery. He explains this is a clinic and not a fully-fledged animal hospital.

With less care than I would have liked the man dumps the kitten onto a table. It mews and shakes while it bleeds. They tell me the spine is broken; even with surgery it probably wouldn’t walk again. It probably is diseased too. The man takes his time to write something on the computer in English. The outlook is bad. He explains the injuries, possible outcomes if I try to go to yet another place, and how he believes the best situation is euthanasia.

I sat in the waiting room feeling very alone as I cry over this poor little soul. I don’t know if I have other options. I have no support, I don’t yet speak Chinese, I don’t even know where in the city I am. We agree to euthanize the kitten. The vet sees how upset I am, and comforts me by telling me the kitten was in bad shape even before being hit by the car. The process is quick.

Max and I head home. I am angry and sad and tired. I am grateful Max is with me, but also angry with him. He is frustrated by all the running around we did, and I am furious I agreed to come to China with him in the first place. It is one of the hardest days I’ve faced in China and one of the loneliest.

The next day I go to the doctor. I realize that I have been bitten by a stray animal in a country where rabies is still a big problem. I need to get the shot within 36 hours of being bitten, and the sooner the better. Since I haven’t been vaccinated for rabies while in the US, I get the full round of the vaccination, which is five shots exactly one week apart, about RMB 90 each. For five weeks I am reminded of the little kitten I failed to save.

This incident took place last summer, and since then things have changed for me. I got more connected with animal rescuers, and now I even volunteer my time to rescuing and fostering dogs (and occasionally other critters – I had an injured crow for about a month!) But I don’t want anyone else to feel as lost as I did. China can be a difficult place to navigate and I hope the guide that follows can make it easier, so when you find that sad kitten on the road, you don’t have to go through the same thing I did.

SAFETY FIRST. Wear gloves or protect yourself with a thick towel or blanket to prevent getting bitten or spreading disease. If you are bitten, you must get to a hospital soon to start rabies vaccinations. Keep rescues away from healthy animals. There are many extremely contagious diseases that dogs and cats may carry, especially puppies and kittens. If you have animals at home that are not fully vaccinated, or if you aren’t 100 percent sure, then err on the side of caution and don’t allow the rescue animal near your pet. The younger the animal the higher the risk that they are carrying a disease like feline distemper or canine parvovirus. The latter kills many puppies before they can be vaccinated, can live in the environment for months, and is resistant to many disinfectants. Bleach does kill this virus, so always use bleach in these cases!

First, ask yourself: Does it need to be rescued?

This is important. If the animal has an injury, then yes! It needs help, skip straight to the next step. However, some of the strays around Beijing are pets that are allowed to roam, and you can be accused of stealing personal property. Do not take someone’s pet, even if you believe the animal is being abused. Many locals feed strays too, and they might be upset if the animal suddenly disappears, so make sure to speak with your neighbors to avoid any confusion. If you don’t speak Chinese, have a friend help you.

Consider Trap-Neuter-Return.

Adult strays are sometimes better off in a Trap-Neuter-Return/Release (TNR) program. This is especially true for adult feral cats. A feral animal refers to a domesticated animal that has never been accustomed to people and is very fearful. Cats that have never been around humans as kittens have a long road to becoming good pets, and many will never thrive as a pet. That is why TNR can be a great option when an animal is very fearful; it is the best way you can help cut back on stray animals in your neighborhood. Alleycat.org explains TNR this way: “In a Trap-Neuter-Return program, cats are trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (the universal sign that a community cat has been neutered and vaccinated), and then returned to their outdoor home.” This limits strays, disease, and kittens, and these cats can live long and healthy lives outdoors. Just make sure to give them regular food and clean water.

If the animal is friendly, young, or injured continue with your rescue!

Make a relationship and capture.

If the rescue isn’t urgent, take the time to build trust. Feed and water the animal, give it some treats, and see if the animal will let you pet it. Don’t push a nervous animal – this is how people get bitten. For some strays building trust happens fast; all it takes is one yummy treat before it happily follows you home. For others, it can take weeks. The best thing to do is to figure out where the animal is living, because you also do not want to risk losing track of the critter. Use your best judgment to figure out how much time you can spare on this step.

Once you have built up a relationship, you need to capture it. If you are lucky, the animal will just follow you home, or you can lure it into a box or crate with some boiled chicken (this is one of the cheapest and yummiest treats for dogs or cats. Strays don’t always respond well to dry food.) If you can’t just scoop the animal up, perhaps because it is too scared or too big, then you will need to find someone with more experience in trapping and rescuing dogs.

Get it to a vet!

The vet should be your first stop. Call a Didi or use another transportation service. Didi and taxi drivers usually will take an animal if it is in a carrier. However they might insist that you put the animal in the trunk. This is not safe, so politely refuse and find another driver. This service called GOGOVAN  will transport animals, and is especially good for large or crated dogs.

There are many vets around but finding a decent or a nearby one can be challenging. Make sure the vet has an Animals Rabies Vaccination Clinic Certification. It’s best to search Baidu maps or Amap for one of these terms “ 动物医院” pet hospital, “ 宠物诊所” pet clinics, “宠物之家” pet homes, to find your nearest veterinarian. I usually recommend PuppyTown “芭比堂动物医院” to rescuers, because they have locations all over the city, and have a discount for rescues! If the animal is injured, then obviously address that first. Once the rescue is healthier you need to start vaccinations, rabies shots, deworming, and flea and tick prevention. If the animal is healthy enough, schedule a spay or neuter surgery. It sounds like a lot but this is the easiest part! You can check out our article on going to the vet in China (p25) for more information.

If you are bringing an injured animal to the vet, you may have some tough choices to make. Get an idea of the scope of the problems and the costs. The hardest part is knowing when to continue with treatment, and when to think about euthanasia. Consider the quality of life for the animal. If the animal is going to be in pain for the rest of its life and the pain can’t be properly managed, euthanasia may be necessary. If it is a matter of losing a leg, paralysis, blindness… these are things animals can often live a happy life with, even if they may need more care. There are people happy to adopt an animal with special needs.

Covering cost and care.

Get an idea of the cost, and then start fundraising if you can’t cover the costs on your own. There are many WeChat communities where you can post asking for help and donations for rescues. I suggest making a poster with the animal’s photos, the care needed, and estimated cost. I use an app called Pic Collage. Make sure to keep receipts; people are much more willing to donate when they know exactly where their money is going.

After the vet has given your rescue the all-clear, and it’s ready to be a pet. If you can’t personally adopt or foster the animal, you’ll need to find someone who can. The same WeChat rescue groups that you can fundraise in are also a great place to start looking for a foster (short term) and then an adopter (long term). While you are looking for someone to care for your rescue, you can board them. There are many cheap boarding options. Make sure your choice will quarantine unvaccinated animals, and allows for walks and potty breaks throughout the day. Take time to make sure your rescue is going to a safe place and a safe home once you find an adopter.

Consider asking these questions of a potential adopter: how long are you staying in China (if they’re foreign)? If you move or leave the country are you willing to take your pet with you? Some countries are harder than others to bring pets into, so check relevant laws. How much free time do you have? How are you planning on training the dog or cat?

That’s it. Once you get started, you won’t be able to stop. Be careful before you end up with multiple dogs, cats, birds, and turtles in your tiny Beijing apartment.

Here are a few great organizations that are willing to help you. Many of the rescue organizations are volunteer-run and are very full; please contact them to see if they have any space.

Lost Puppies: Foster, adoption, fundraising; requires a two week quarantine period before adding animals to their network. (Lostpuppies.cn)

Together for Animals in China (TAC): Private dog shelter. (138 0119 2990, xiaoli@togethertac.org)

Kiki Boarding: Cheap, reliable boarding. (WeChat:
kevinhome2008)

PJ Canine Chateau: Cageless boarding for dogs. (WeChat: 135 8185 1516, bookings@chateauk9.wang)

This article appeared in the beijingkids October 2019 Family Foodies issue

Pets live in a world of their own. Yes, they can meow or bark to their heart’s content, and we can sometimes surmise their meaning, but we ultimately have no idea what is actually going on inside their cute, furry heads. What do they think of their position and status in these environments that are forced upon them? Do they prefer wet or dry food? Who were they rooting for in the last season of Rupaul’s Drag Race? These were all questions that we were dying to ask, but, most importantly, we wanted to get their stories and find out how these animals found their adopted families.

We decided to get on all fours and do our best to put these perspectives into words (not just barks or meows), and examine the nitty-gritty details of these familial bonds. It was a lengthy and complicated process interviewing these companions, and we won’t bore you with the entire process, but Siri was a massive help with translating. For brevity’s sake, let’s just skip straight to the groundbreaking, if not miraculous, results.

Bluey Gillespie

I’m only four years old, but I am wise beyond my years. I’ve grown up surrounded by a beautiful, loving family that practices the peaceful self-defense art of Aikido. I remember that day four years ago when they picked me up. I was nervous, but leaped at the opportunity, immediately landing in six-year-old Isla’s bag and ready to go to my forever home. I have since been showered with attention and treats by the Gillespies.

The skills I have gleaned from constant Aikido training with Isla allows me to slip out of any prickly situation with ease. I reciprocate this tutelage with hours of cuddles and by being a trusted confidant and friend. Most people say that I act like a dog, but this little lady just brings these uncharacteristically canine attributes out in me. But, like a cat, I always land on my feet! This couldn’t be more evident than in my choice of the Gillespie family.

Luna London-Mason

Sup y’all! I’m Luna, and I’m the sassiest pup in Lianbao Garden. As an exotic mix of many sought after street breeds, I’ve been gifted with a particular je-ne-sais-quoi exterior that’s led to a moderately successful modeling career. Life has been good to me so far being a part of the London-Mason tribe. I was picked up at a shelter four and a half years ago by this lovely family, and have since become the go-to creature in the family for a quality cuddle. I’ve taken a liking to my human service team. When I’m not claiming couch space, or provocatively sprawled across an antique tribal kilim rug, I try to maintain a healthy diet that goes beyond the essential proteins and includes a healthy dose of cucumbers and carrots. When I go outside, you better watch out! Yeah, I’m talking to you, Ginger and Sarah! Just kidding. We just need to parley about a few things, but it’s probably best that we keep the leashes on just in case the peace process gets heated.

Toby and Princess Stewart-Yates

We began life in a complicated household, where our primary caregivers were often living abroad. Toby and I were left in the care of an ayi who was not committed to giving us the time and attention that we craved. It was difficult, but we were patient that our situation would soon improve. Luckily we were introduced to Janice, Nick, and Dylan, and decided it would be a fortuitous union. Since joining their family, they have given us a home filled with love and compassion, and we have tried to return their affection with loads of pleasureful grunts and slobbery pug kisses. We feel that we are pretty successful in this respect. Between cuddle sessions, we enjoy pulling out and cozying up with whatever cashmere items we are able to get our tiny paws on. Let us indulge in a slice of smoked salmon, and we will be best friends for life!

Ginger Sadie and Sarah Bridget Lindner

I’m Ginger, and this is my sister Sarah. We are a dynamic duo of twin teddy poodles and rule the yard of the Lianbao Garden compound with our ultimate cuteness and fierce (when we need to be) temperament. We may be tiny, but we are very mighty. We love our two compatriots, and partners in crime, Elliot and Monty. Together we run around the neighborhood in search of things to smell. Elliot and Monty don’t usually partake in the smelling, but often let us do our business without too much interference. When we are good protectors of our humans, we are rewarded with bones dipped in peanut butter. For some odd reason, giving us a dollop of this thick substance is humorous to our masters. That’s OK though, because Sarah leaves secret “number ones” in mom and dad’s bedroom, which is hilarious to us.

Baiselong

Hello, plebs. When I’m not maintaining my overlord status in my human/feline domain, I’m plotting my imminent return to power over the provincial cat kingdom. After my supreme power was taken from my family in a kitty coup, at two weeks old, I found myself living on the streets. But, luckily, when all hope was lost and I was hiding behind a pile of bricks about to resign myself to nature’s will, I was saved and adopted by Adam and Savy. It was through their tender care that I was able to recover my strength and start planning my rise to power. Although lately, I’ve been very content with my current post as the supreme leader of this quaint household. I am perpetually showered with treats and objects of affection. I think humans refer to these items as “toys.” Whatever they are, they are mine, and I don’t like to share. I respect Savy and Adam for their work adopting others of my species and helping kitties who are in need, as long as my authority is never questioned and my rule over this tiny realm not challenged.

This article appeared in the beijingkids October 2019 Family Foodies issue

Adorning a copper plaque in Chengdu’s panda reserve is one of Gandhi’s most memorable quotes: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” China still has a long way to go when it comes to animal cruelty but it is growing as a nation and education is progressing. Lead by example to help educate those around you on the importance of giving animals the respect, warmth, and love that they deserve. Below are just a few of the numerous animal care organizations operating in Beijing, as well as details as to how you can assist.

Girls4Paws
Girls4Paws is a community of private rescuers who foster animals in their homes while seeking suitable permanent residences. Started by Daphne Hutagalung, who is currently fostering five dogs and two cats, the organization was built to inspire individuals to take a proactive stance towards animal care, rather than posting a picture on WeChat and hoping someone else will do the rest. Hutagalung stresses that education is the key to responsible ownership, as it is often the case that when a puppy’s serious needs outgrow its cuteness, often landing them back in the same shelter that they were rescued from.

Help with: Monetary donations and adoption.
Contact: girlsforpaws@hotmail.com, WeChat: 138 1007 2919

A pooch gets a once-over before adoption at the Little Adoption Shop

The Little Adoption Shop
Founded in 2011, The Little Adoption Shop is a no-kill, non-profit rescue shelter with three locations that currently house over 700 dogs. The organization takes dogs in from the street as well as rescuing them from meat trucks. That often means that many of them are injured, sick, disabled, or pregnant, which requires systematic medical attention. No matter how terminally ill or disabled, Little Adoption Shop swears to never give up on their dogs.

Help with: Adoption, education programs, and informing the public about responsible breeding practices.
Contact: facebook.com/LittleAdoptionShop

A Voice for Animals
A Voice for Animals not only rescues abandoned animals but also works to prevent abandonment in the first place by educating current and prospective owners about the responsibilities that come with having a pet. Their talks and workshops are now extending to wildlife conservation and began when a group of volunteers traveled into rural China in October 2016 in order to salvage 25 dogs from a slaughter truck. The majority of those dogs have since been adopted while some still await a permanent home.

Help with: Donations, fostering, and adoption.
Contact: avoiceforanimals.wixsite.com/website, WeChat: AVoiceforAnimals1026

A furry hopeful at Furry Tales

Furry Tales
Running on the power and goodwill of volunteers, Furry Tales helps neglected cats, rabbits, and dogs to find new owners. Besides the traditional rescue and adoption process, the organization is also working on starting a “trap, neuter, and return” program in Beijing, thus helping to control the population of stray animals in the city. The founder of Furry Tales, Sarah Lovatt, ensures that animals first receive medical treatment so that they are safe to adopt. The organization covers all the costs for the foster families, from food and toys to medical bills.

Help with: Donations, volunteering, fostering, and adoption.
Contact: furrytalesrescue@hotmail.com

Be warned: Even if you go in just to look, you may leave with a new friend

Cat-Kind
Cat-Kind was founded by the organizers in the memory of a single stray kitten that they witnessed pass away after a period of homelessness. Unlike some of the other rescue organizations, Cat-Kind has a dedicated shelter space that they rent rather than fostering animals in their own apartments. They provide stays for stray and abandoned cats until they are healthy enough to move into their forever homes.

Help with: Donations (monetary or via the Cat-Kind wish list)
Contacts: WeChat: Cat-Kind_Connect

Towards a Compassionate Nation (TACN)
Towards a Compassionate Nation is a volunteer-based charity that combines data collection and local collaboration to maximize adoption efficiency. Their motto “Adopt, Don’t Shop!” has helped dozens of lovely strays find their forever homes as the organization connects potential adopters with various Beijing-based animal welfare groups. Alongside their grassroots work, TACN is dedicated to promoting a greener, more humane lifestyle and have hosted various campaigns to prevent animal cruelty, encourage eco-friendly diets and more.

Help with: Donations, volunteering, fostering, adoption
Contacts: Website: tacn.org; WeChat: logan_senshi; Email: info@tacn.org

Pang dun, or Chubby Ball, is ready for adoption!

Rose Yard Little Animal Rescue Group 
Founded in 2017, the Rose Yard Little Animal Rescue Group is a charity dedicated to the rational rescue and rehabilitation of strays. Inspired by the founder’s own experience of purchasing pets to putting them up for adoption, the group provides a temporary sanctuary for stray dogs without compromising their health, safety, and happiness. The organization has so far held several adoption events around the city and dedicates itself to helping its rescues find permanent homes.

Help with: Donations, volunteering, adoption
Contacts: Email: stephatbib@qq.com; WeChat: stephatbib

A kitten tests out its compatibility with a potential litter scooper

Beijing Adoption Day
A Beijing-based charity that created a national movement, Beijing Adoption Day rescues and rehomes all types of stray animals. In their offline, pop up-esque events, onlookers can browse furry candidates ready for adoption and interact with potential lifelong companions. The group has so far rehomed over 2,000 strays in Beijing alone, all while campaigning against animal cruelty and fostering healthy relationships between young children and animals.

Help with: Donation, adoption, volunteering
Contacts: Weibo: 北京领养日; WeChat: 北京领养日

READ: Tips for Leaving China With Your Furry Friends

Photos: Huang Chenkuang, courtesy of the organizations

It’s not only us who are enduring the unbearable heat nowadays. Many animals out there are also suffering from the relentless warmth and humidity and mind you, these little fellows can also experience heat stroke without us even knowing!

So if you’re wanting to take your pet outside (or maybe stay indoors), remember these tips to keep them happy and healthy this hot season.

1. Hydrate your pets. But remember: use a bowl that doesn’t get too warm even if put outdoors. Glass bowls have a tendency to break, while metal ones will get very hot and might injure your pet’s tongue.

2. As much as possible, don’t let your pets walk on asphalt, especially during the hottest times of the day (10am-4pm). Asphalt traps heat and pavements get baked under the sun, so however thick their paws may appear, the intense heat will hurt their feet.

3. We need to bring our pets out to play and exercise, but do these activities in the morning or late afternoons so that they’ll not exhaust their energy. In the case of an extremely hot day, you can opt for indoor games with toys.

4. Be on the lookout for symptoms of animal heat stroke. According to the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS), some easily identifiable symptoms of heat stroke are vomiting, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, seizures and inability to walk. When left untreated, animal heat stroke can cause complications to their organs, particularly the heart and lungs, and can also cause tissue damage and degeneration.

5. However cute animal clothing can be, it’s better to not dress them this season because clothes can retain external and body heat, especially when our little friends have thick fur. Aside from that, take note that animals with short snouts (like pit bulls) cannot dissipate heat effectively, so adding clothing will make them pant more.

We’re lucky here in Beijing because we don’t see many stray animals. But in the unlikely event that you see a stray, make sure to report it to ICVS so that they can tell the authorities to rescue these animals. Strays are usually feral, and however we want to help them stay cool during a warm spell, it’ll be dangerous as they might be carriers of diseases like rabies.

International Center for Veterinary Services
No. 13-16 Rong Ke Gan Lan Cheng Shang Jie, Fu Tong Xi Da Jie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, 北京新天地国际动物医院, 北京市朝阳区望京阜通西大街融科橄榄城商街13-16号 (WeChat: ICVSCHINA, 8456-1939/1940, reception@ICVSASIA.com)

Photo: cocoparisienne,sevenpixx, DanielBrachlow, kubicekonderka, Kaz via Pixabay; Thach Tran via Pexels

Adorning a copper plaque in Chengdu’s panda reserve is one of Gandhi’s most memorable quotes: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” China still has a long way to go when it comes to animal cruelty but it is growing as a nation and education is progressing. Lead by example to help educate those around you on the importance of giving animals the respect, warmth, and love that they deserve. Below are just a few of the numerous animal care organizations operating in Beijing, as well as details as to how you can assist.

Girls4Paws 
Girls4Paws is a community of private rescuers who foster animals in their homes while seeking suitable permanent residences. Started by Daphne Hutagalung, who is currently fostering five dogs and two cats, the organization was built to inspire individuals to take a proactive stance towards animal care, rather than posting a picture on WeChat and hoping someone else will do the rest. Hutagalung stresses that education is the key to responsible ownership, as it is often the case that when a puppy’s serious needs outgrow its cuteness, often landing them back in the same shelter that they were rescued from.

Help with: Monetary donations and adoption.
Contact: girlsforpaws@hotmail.com, WeChat: 138 1007 2919

A pooch gets a once-over before adoption at the Little Adoption Shop

The Little Adoption Shop 
Founded in 2011, The Little Adoption Shop is a no-kill, non-profit rescue shelter with three locations that currently house over 700 dogs. The organization takes dogs in from the street as well as rescuing them from meat trucks. That often means that many of them are injured, sick, disabled, or pregnant, which requires systematic medical attention. No matter how terminally ill or disabled, Little Adoption Shop swears to never give up on their dogs.

Help with: Adoption, education programs, and informing the public about responsible breeding practices.
Contact: www.facebook.com/LittleAdoptionShop

A Voice for Animals 
A Voice for Animals not only rescues abandoned animals but also works to prevent abandonment in the first place by educating current and prospective owners about the responsibilities that come with having a pet. Their talks and workshops are now extending to wildlife conservation and began when a group of volunteers traveled into rural China in October 2016 in order to salvage 25 dogs from a slaughter truck. The majority of those dogs have since been adopted while some still await a permanent home.

Help with: Donations, fostering, and adoption.
Contact: www.avoiceforanimals.wixsite.com/website, WeChat: AVoiceforAnimals1026

A furry hopeful at Furry Tales

Furry Tales 
Running on the power and goodwill of volunteers, Furry Tales helps neglected cats, rabbits, and dogs to find new owners. Besides the traditional rescue and adoption process, the organization is also working on starting a “trap, neuter, and return” program in Beijing, thus helping to control the population of stray animals in the city. The founder of Furry Tales, Sarah Lovatt, ensures that animals first receive medical treatment so that they are safe to adopt. The organization covers all the costs for the foster families, from food and toys to medical bills.

Help with: Donations, volunteering, fostering, and adoption.
Contact: furrytalesrescue@hotmail.com

Be warned: Even if you go in just to look, you may leave with a new friend

Cat-Kind 
Cat-Kind was founded by the organizers in the memory of a single stray kitten that they witnessed pass away after a period of homelessness. Unlike some of the other rescue organizations, Cat-Kind has a dedicated shelter space that they rent rather than fostering animals in their own apartments. They provide stays for stray and abandoned cats until they are healthy enough to move into their forever homes.

Help with: Donations (monetary or via the Cat-Kind wish list)
Contacts: WeChat: Cat-Kind_Connect

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2018 issue of the Beijinger.
Read the issue via Issuu online here, or access it as a PDF here.

Photos courtesy of the organizations

My daughter is obsessed with animals; every she asks if she can get a dog, cat, brother or sister. The joke is not lost on me. I am not a animal fan, but I come from an animal-loving family so my daughter’s interest does not come as a surprise. She has a “doggy oma” and a “cat oma” (oma means grandmother in Dutch.) I grew up with many animals: cats, dogs, chickens, goose, hamsters and fish. My mother is a true animal lover, but I did not inherit this gene. I don’t want any cats or dogs to look after till they die.

But my mother’s guilt does not want to deprive my daughter of the joys of pet ownership. When I found out about this pet service called “Spare Leash”, I got a idea. I can make my daughter’s dreams come true without owning a pet for life. I have experience taking care of pets, and my daughter has so much love to share with pets.

Spare Leash matches pet sitters to people who want somebody to take care of their pets instead of putting the animals in boarding. This seems like a win-win situation for both parties. Spare Leash gets you connected to people who want to help with pets. The services include: check-in for pets who are alone at home, visits to the vets, dog walking, house sitting and boarding.

This service is already a huge success in Shanghai and is expending to Beijing. Do you need help taking care of your family pet? Or do you want to be a pet sitter? Check out their website spareleash.com, or scan the QR code below to enter their official WeChat Account.

Photos: Spare Leash

Introduction:  Hi everyone! My name is Maru.

Background:  I had a very happy life and home with my owner who originally took me in from another family. Unfortunately, my owner suddenly took ill and had leave China for medical treatment. I am being well cared for at present but am hoping to find a new forever adoption family. I am a gentle housecat and would love to become a member of your family.

Personality:  I am very friendly, affectionate, quiet, and relaxed. I am a happy indoor cat and love to curl up with you to sleep and snuggle. I am happiest when I am being petted and love being scratched on the sides of my face. I also get along well with other cats.

 Ideal home:  I would be happy with an individual, a couple, or a family with older children (e.g., 8 years and older).

Breed, Sex & Age: I am a 12-year old neutered male tabby cat. I have lovely short brown fur and a white belly.

Medical notes: I am a healthy, vaccinated, and neutered. I have recently had a full health examination with blood tests and stool test at ICVS. I am negative for Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodeficiency virus. I have been treated for fleas and ticks,  been dewormed, and am also microchipped. When I was a stray cat many years ago, I had a very bad gum and dental infection. The dental infection was so serious that I was not able to eat, so all my teeth had to be extracted to resolve the infection. I am now fine and I can eat both dry and wet food. Because I do not have teeth, I am happiest living as a strictly indoor cat.

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 and accompanying examinations during my first year with my new adoption family.

Annual Vaccination Packages: ICVS has wonderful wellness and annual vaccination packages to keep me healthy and free of worms, fleas and ticks. All the vaccinations and deworming I need every year are included and the packages are discounted by 40-50%! Please contact ICVS for more information.

Official Vaccination Certificate: With my next 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 and to move to other cities or to leave China with my family.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide the families with unlimited relocation counseling and accurate information to take Oliver with them when it is time to move to another city or to another country.

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can help the new families arrange for door-to-door car transport for their appointments at the hospital.

ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
Please support and donate to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs here.

Donations may be made directly on the ICVS web site through Paypal:
www.ICVSASIA.com

Please also donate via ICVS WeChat:

Your donations support ICVS in helping pets like Oliver and the many stray/rescued/abandoned/rehomed and shelter animals in our community. The pets receive world-class medical care, treatments, good nutrition and socialization with love and compassion that allows them to become healthy adoptable pets!

Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information about Kedi and the many adoptable pets waiting for homes:

Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940

Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com

Website: www.ICVSASIA.com

photos: courtesy of ICVS, Sallie Fu

Name: Hi Everyone, my name is Eva!

Background: I am a healthy, beautiful kitten ready for my forever home and hoping my new family can adopt me very soon.

Personality: Eva is a sweet kitten who will smother you with love. She loves to be around people and likes to cuddle. Eva likes to sleep on your thighs. She requires some attention and does not like to alone. Once you become her friend, Eva will be rolling around to make sure you do not miss a spot when you pet her.

Ideal home: Eva would be happy with an individual, a couple or a family with older children (e.g., 6 years and older). Eva will be a permanent member of her adoption family and must travel with her family if they ever leave China or relocate to another city.

Breed, Sex & Age: Eva is a 6 months old female kitten. She is a beautiful short-haired tabby cat.

Medical notes: Eva is healthy. She has already started her vaccinations at a local hospital. She will be ready for spay surgery soon.

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 adoption family.

Annual Vaccination Packages: ICVS has wonderful wellness and annual vaccination packages to keep me healthy and free of parasites, fleas and ticks. All of the vaccinations I need every year are included and the packages are discounted by 40-50%! Please contact ICVS for more information.

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.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: Because a pet is for life, ICVS will provide my family with unlimited relocation counseling and accurate information to take me with them when it is time to move to another city or to another country. ICVS can provide microchipping, legal rabies vaccinations and rabies antibody titer testing that is required to export pets to the EU and other countries!

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can help my new family arrange for a car and driver service to take us door-to-door for my appointments at the hospital! Contact ICVS: www.ICVSASIA.com

Name: Hi Everyone, my name is Ghost!

Background: Ghost is a beautiful rescued cat currently living with a wonderful foster mom. He was previously a house cat and is fully socialized, litter box trained, and is an indoor cat. Ghost is now looking for a new loving forever family and hoping to be adopted soon!

Personality: Ghost is very playful, love to eat, run around and likes being brushed, having his nails clipped and even being washed. Ghost is good with other cats! Ghost is a sweet and social house cat and hopes to be your forever companion soon!

Ideal home: He would be fine with individual owners, couples, or families with older children (e.g., 6 years and older). Ghost likes scratching on cat trees, boxes and designated furniture at home where he is permitted to scratch. Keeping his toenails trimmed will also help keep him happy and prevent him from scratching other furniture. He is very curious and extremely intelligent and is able to open French door handles (lever handles). So make sure the doors are locked if you don’t want her to open the door!

Breed, Sex & Age: Ghost is a young, 3-year old pure white, short-haired male cat

Medical notes: He is very healthy, have already been neutered and dewormed. Ghost is fully vaccinated and microchipped and have the ICVS vaccination red book, needed to prove legal vaccinations and to take him overseas or to other cities in China.

Post-adoption care: The International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has enrolled him 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 health examinations and neuter surgeries during his first year with my new adoption family.

Annual Vaccination Packages: ICVS has wonderful wellness and annual vaccination packages to keep him healthy and free of worms, fleas and ticks. All of the vaccinations and deworming he needs every year are included and the packages are discounted by 40-50%! Please contact ICVS for more information.

Official Vaccination Certificate: ICVS will issue his new families the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificates (e.g., vaccination red books) at no charge! He need the official vaccination red books to prove I have been legally and properly rabies vaccinated and to move to other cities or to leave China with our families.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide my families with unlimited relocation counseling and accurate information to take him with them when it is time to move to another city or to another country.

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can help his new family arrange for door-to-door car transport for our appointments at the hospital!

Contact ICVS: www.ICVSASIA.com
ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
Please support and donate to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
http://www.icvsasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=62&Itemid=91&lang=en
Please donate through WeChat by scanning the ICVS QR code:

Your donations support ICVS in helping pets like Eva the many stray/ rescued/ abandoned/ rehomed and shelter animals in our community. The pets receive world-class medical care, treatments, good nutrition and socialization with love and compassion that allows them to become healthy adoptable pets!

Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information about Eva and the many adoptable pets waiting for homes:

Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940
Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com
Website: www.ICVSASIA.com

Add ICVS Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA