My family was lucky to return to Beijing in March, but after nearly two months of isolation and social distancing, I was scratching at the walls. Then it hit me: what better way to spend this time stuck indoors than with a little bundle of fur that requires all my time and attention? An internet search brought up Lost Puppies of Beijing (LP) and their noble mission to rehome as many stray dogs as the city could churn out (an infinite number it seems, though dwindled by some 150 thanks to this organization).

I quickly signed up to be a foster parent.

I would be a temporary caregiver for strays fresh off the street. An LP volunteer interviewed me through WeChat and explained that LP would cover all medical care and essential pet supplies, all I had to do was to feed and care for the fur-baby. It was also strongly encouraged to begin basic obedience training, potty training, and crate training for the puppy.

Perhaps the most significant duty of a foster parent is to show the dog what it is to be loved.                                                                        

Within a week of applying, I had been approved by LP to foster. I was ready to give my time, heart, and soul, to a furry companion who would fill my long days. There were so, so many puppies that needed a home, and I was just waiting for the right one.

The “Fabulous Five” was a litter of five puppies who had been found, just days old, in a tied up garbage bag in the trash. They were at the veterinarian until they were eight weeks old — the age when you can traditionally separate the pup from its mother. A poster featuring the five made its way into the LP WeChat group and I instantly fell in love with them. I even contemplated fostering the entire litter to keep the family together. Alas, three of the five died while going through the deworming process at the vet and only two were left — a boy and a girl.

They were named Simon and Kamina when they were rescued.

In the DiDi ride home, I sat calmly with the box in my lap, trying not to laugh as one of the puppies licked my fingers through the small opening in the lid.

I returned to my apartment and peered into the box – Simon was wearing what a beloved Pixar film coined as “the cone of shame” due to a skin condition and was still fast asleep. So the puppy who had been licking my finger was Kamina. She looked up at me, eyes shining with adoration, and began to wag her tail, smacking her brother in the face several times, though he did not stir. I lifted her from the box with just one hand, feeling her tiny heart race. It dawned on me that this was the first time she had skin to fur contact because the vets always kept rubber gloves on while handling them. She licked my toes, my clothes, and just about anywhere she could get her little pink tongue on. She was sheer happiness dressed in a fur coat. Kamina and I bonded while her brother slept.

Everything she did was magic.

She licked my son’s nose – magic; she drank out of the bowl we carefully chose for her – magic; she pooped – even that felt magical. She was tiny, helpless, and new; she could do no wrong. Simon eventually woke up and it became clear that he was the runt of the litter, especially next to his playful, curious sister. He was a perfect lap dog, and I mean that literally – he would clamber into any available lap and stay there, perfectly content.

The magic of the pups’ newness slowly dissipated over the next few weeks, and it all but disappeared when I discovered they had… worms! Remember, these little guys had survived through the deworming process, so that meant they should be worm-free, right? Well, it turns out that worms are a constant and never-ending battle in any dog’s life, and they had been infested with a particularly nasty case of them. So I dewormed them again, and again. I’ll spare you the gory details and skip to the end where they are, and hopefully will remain, free of worms.

Fostering the puppies was as rewarding as it was exhausting.

A growing sense of responsibility took root in my family. We were proud when the puppies learned to sit (30 minutes of your undivided attention and lots of treats); we were overjoyed when they eventually managed to go to the pee pad 8/10 times (a great success rate for puppies). Most of all, our hearts almost burst when they curled up in our laps and slept, showing us the trust and the beginnings of love.

Simon was the first to be adopted in early August.

Our hearts ached when we saw how well he had taken to his new family, but we were happy for him. Then down came the axe for the final blow – a family wanted to adopt Kamina. “This was my mission as a foster parent,” I told myself unconvincingly. My son protested, as he had also done with Simon’s departure, but I steeled myself and set up a visit. The family came to our place and met us downstairs in the garden. They instantly wanted Kamina. In a daze, I didn’t quite realize until after they had left that I had agreed for them to return in just five days to pick her up for a trial adoption. It was in that moment that I heard a ping in the vicinity of my heart. I quickly texted LP that I could not go through with it and that I had decided to adopt Kamina myself. The potential adoptive family was understandably upset, and if they should ever read this, I can only beg for their forgiveness and hope with all my heart that they found the right four-legged addition to their family.

As for my family, we have welcomed our newest member with open arms and open hearts.

Kamina, or our “little pucky,” takes our love and returns it exponentially every day. I smile to hear the pitter patter of her paws down the hallway as she seeks us out just so she can be near us. I can’t help but feel we are destined to be together since a line of gray hairs appeared down her back before she was six months old, echoing my very own premature graying. She is our loveable furry companion who fills my days, (now shorter and fuller with regular walks and cuddles) and keeps my feet warm in these cold winter nights — our very own foster fail puppy.

Vivienne moved to Beijing in 2019 and discovered how different Singaporean Chinese culture was from China’s. In between teaching Jazzercise fitness classes, she looks for greener ways to minimise clutter and waste in her family’s life here.

Responsibilities of a Foster Parent

As a foster, you will play a vital role in helping our dogs find a loving home – from socializing, to bringing them to events, to sometimes just showing them what it is to be loved.

THE BASICS

• You must be 21 years or older
• You must have a stable residence, where everyone living there is in agreement to have a dog. This includes landlord approval.
• You must be able to transport your foster dog to scheduled medical appointments, adoption events, or training classes.
• You must be financially stable enough to provide your foster dog with basic living expenses, including bedding, good food, toys and even find them boarding solutions while you are on holiday.

HERE’S WHAT’S EXPECTED OF OUR FOSTER PARENTS:

• They provide nutritious food, plentiful water, adequate shelter, and control of external parasites (fleas and ticks).
• They provide the dog with exercise, basic obedience training and house-training. Proper training greatly increases a dog’s chance of being adopted and we can pair you with some of our more experienced fosters for guidance.
• They are responsible for the safety of each foster dog that comes into their care, and for the safety of other dogs and people the dog comes into contact with. They never let their foster dogs be a nuisance to other people or other animals.
• They always keep a collar with the Lost Puppies ID tag on the dog at all times, just in case the dog runs off. If the tag is lost they immediately contact us for a new one.
• They keep foster dogs on their leash when they’re outside of a house or securely fenced yard.
• They keep any fostered dog safely confined in a fenced yard, kennel run, or inside a house or garage when the dog is not with them or a family member. Crate training is highly encouraged. At no time are foster dogs placed outside on a tie-out (in a yard, in front of a café, store etc.) Our fosters immediately notify us in the event of a missing, injured, or sick dog.

Information courtesy of www.LostPuppies.cn

KEEP READING: Best Buddies with Zhichao: Harrow Students Learn from Children With Learning Differences

Photos: Dave’s Studio, Lost Puppies

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 December issue

​Introduction: Hi everyone, my name is Xiao Bai!

 Background: I was found by a very kind hearted person when I was straying near a school yard. My rescuer brought me to ICVS where I am currently boarding. I am a healthy and happy young dog and ready to find my forever adoption family!

Personality: I am very sweet, affectionate, friendly, and love people! I have a fascination for other dogs and wants to capture their attention through barking because I want to play. I’m house trained and love going out for walks on the leash at least 3 times every day.

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’m a small mixed breed dog and about 2-years old. I have short white and yellow fur.

Medical notes:  Luckily I’ve been fully vaccinated, dewormed, and on flea/tick preventives. I’ve also been neutered and had a recent dental cleaning at ICVS! I smell very nice due to regular baths and grooming during my boarding at ICVS. It must be pretty obvious from my pictures, but I’m healthy and ready to be a wonderful lifelong companion for my new family.

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

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

Official Vaccination Certificate: With Xiao Bai’s permanent adoption, ICVS will issue his new family the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (e.g., vaccination red book) at no charge! Xiao Bai needs the official vaccination red book to prove he has been legally and properly rabies vaccinated and to move to other cities or to leave China with his new family.

Official Spay/Neuter Certificate for Dogs: Xiao Bai has already been neutered at ICVS. The hospital will issue his new family the official Spay/Neuter Certificate that will provide Xiao Bai’s owner with a 50% discount (e.g., up to RMB 500.00 savings) on his dog license registration fee at the Public Security Bureau!

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide Xiao Bai’s new family 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 Xiao Bai and his family arrange for door-to-door car transport for his 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 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

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 re-home animals. This week’s puppy, Hua Hua, is from ICVS’ Adoptable Pets.

Hi everyone, my name is Kiera!

Background: Kiera was a stray puppy rescued by her very kind foster mom. She has been boarding at the International Center for Veterinary Services and is a fun, curious, playful, energetic puppy. Kiera is slightly shy at first meeting, but she’s sweet and affectionate and not afraid of people or other dogs.

Ideal Home: Kiera would be fine with an individual, a couple or a family with children (e.g., older than 6-years).

Sex, breed, and age: Kiera is a small, mixed breed female puppy of about 5-6 months old. She has beautiful, short, black fur.

Medical notes: Kiera is healthy and has already been dewormed and is completing her vaccinations. She has already been spayed at ICVS.

Post-adoption care: Kiera has been enrolled in International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS)’s Rescued/Stray/Rehomed Pet Adoption Benefits Program. ICVS will provide Kiera’s new family with significant discounts (up to 50%) on vaccinations, accompanying health examinations and neuter surgeries during her first year of life with her new adoption families.

Official Vaccination Certificate: Along with her rabies vaccinations, ICVS will issue Kiera’s family the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificates (e.g., vaccination red books) at no charge! Kiera needs the official vaccination red books to prove she has been legally and properly rabies vaccinated to move to another city or to leave China with her families.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide Kiera’s family adopters with unlimited relocation counseling and accurate information to take her with them when it is time to move to another city or to another country.

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can help Kiera’s new family arrange for a car and driver service to take them door-to-door for Kiera’s appointments at the hospital.

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Introduction: Hi everyone, my name is Benji!

Background: I was originally a stray cat found by a kind person who turned out to be allergic to cats! I was fostered by a very lovely family who were friends of the rescuer. My foster family has taken very good care of me. I am now a healthy, beautiful young cat and am ready to meet my forever adoption family.

Personality: Benji is a delightfully active, curious, and playful young cat. He loves people and is always ready to play and is up for a game of chase around the house. Benji is exploring the world and likes to explore his surroundings and to be with his family members throughout the day and night. Benji loves to play hide-and-seek and will sneak out behind doors and corners to surprise you! He is learning to play gently and is a very smart, sweet, and affectionate young cat. He would get along well with a younger kitten who he would take under his wing as an older brother. Benji is ready to become a beloved member of his new family and looks forward to meeting you!

Ideal home: Benji would be happy with an individual, a couple or a family with older children (e.g., 12 years and older). Benji would do well with another younger cat in the household as a playmate. The family must be ready for a very high energy, curious cat! A pet is for life so Benji must relocate with his family when departing China.

Breed, Sex & Age: Benji is about 8 months old. He is a beautiful short-haired brown tabby with gorgeous yellow eyes!

Medical notes: Benji is very healthy and has already been dewormed, fully vaccinated, and neutered at ICVS.

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

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

Official Vaccination Certificate: With Benji’s next rabies vaccination, ICVS will issue his new family the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (e.g., vaccination red books) at no charge! Benji needs the official vaccination red book to prove he has been legally and properly rabies vaccinated and to move to other cities or to leave China with his family.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide Benji’s family 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, because pets are for life!

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can help Benji’s new families 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. Donations may be made directly on the ICVS website through Paypal: www.ICVSASIA.com

Your donations support ICVS in helping pets like Kiera and the many stray/rescued/abandoned/re-homed 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 contact ICVS for more information about Kiera and the many adoptable pets waiting for homes:

Please also contact ICVS for more information about beautiful adoptable pets:
Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940
Email: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com
Web site: www.ICVSASIA.com
Add ICVS Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA

While I was looking for adopters of the three lovely puppies that I accidentally found, most people simply replied “We love dogs but we cannot take one home.” One lady referred me to someone who might be able to help me find a potential forever home. I contacted her, hoping she might adopt the three puppies or help me find somebody.Upon contacting the potential adopter, she told me that, “I have more than 120 dogs, what about I give you a few?” Immediately I wondered “How can one person have more than 120 dogs?” ! I know a lot of people in Beijing helping more than one dog, buying food for them with their own limited salary and taking care of their medical or health needs. Owning 120 dogs in any capacity though seemed completely impossible. I interviewed the young lady to find out how she managed such a task. She has a day time job in finance and takes care of all these dogs in the evening after work. Her boyfriend helps her a lot with the daily running of the dog’s shelter. She prefers to be called April.1. How did this start and when did you get the first stray dog?

It was a white female dog I found during the day in my neighborhood. She looked helpless and remained there until the evening. Since at the time I had my own pet dog, I instantly sympathized with and cared about this new dog. The security guard said that she was abandoned by her owner who lived in the basement. The owner had another dog which they sold since it was considered to be a better breed. This one was a common one so dumped in the neighborhood. So I left her at my friend’s pet center and later at my nearest dogs shelter.

2. During the many years of taking care of dogs, did you ever have struggles or concerns?

Sure. My income is very limited. How can I feed them and take care of them? These questions always bothered me. However, I didn’t have too many struggles. When see those life-seeking and helpless eyes, see the desperation of dogs to be sold by owners to become food, you wouldn’t struggle too much. You only think about ways to rescue them, how to feed them, and how to find a trustworthy owner for them.3. How did the number of dogs increase from 1 to more than 120?

The number of dogs increased very quickly. In China, there exists a minimal awareness of proper pet culture and animal welfare. Abuse is often not a crime but simply done for fun. The cost of moral reproach or crime against animals is very low. Abusing, ill-purposed reproduction, stealing, and illegal dog meat are all what we fight against. Many stray dogs are extremely sick while some are deserted on purpose. These dogs are the ones we aim to help. I hope to use my strength to win kinder treatment for a greater number of animals. Over time, more and more dogs came to my place. My limit has been constantly extended.4. What’s your daily life like?

As I have to go to work day time, I care for the dogs and cats after work. For example, visiting families who will potentially adopt, taking the dogs to get vaccinated, and checking on animals who have been hospitalized for treatment. During the weekend time I usually clean up the shelter, trim the dogs’ nails and brush their hair, etc. Sometimes we get volunteers come to improve the shelter’s conditions. Since there are too many dogs, facilities are often quickly damaged, needing constant repair or replacement. Winter mats need to be sunned every week or replaced. There are no rest days. Being together with them and seeing their smiling faces are my most cherished rewards.

5. What are the challenges?

Too many challenges! Money is not the first thing. It is people. Very few people can do this for a long time. Some came with dogs they rescued, but then left the dogs here with me. A lack of human resources is the greatest issue. I need to work in order to cover all the expenses, but because I am constantly working I cannot set up a full-time staff to work on adoption, visitation, cleaning up, publicity and management. I am the one doing all the work right now. We need people to be willing to sacrifice their time and resources. The next challenge is funding. Every new dog brings with it a new host of financial responsibilities. These financial impacts include annual vaccinations, medicine, treatment, and utilities. The third challenge is social recognition. Many people consider it a waste of money and time to care for these dogs. They think participating in other charities would be much more worthwhile. I don’t want to lecture here, but just think, if I can save a life just by reaching out my hands, how could it be a wasting of time? If one cannot extend kindness to a reachable life, how could it be possible to do greater charity? Kindness does not differentiate between size or species!6. Did you ever think about giving up?

Yes, I did think about what their lives would be like without me. It was only a thought, nonetheless. I cannot give it up. When you see their lives changed because of you, from being afraid of human beings to wanting to be close to human beings, and from being paper-thin to being big and heavy, you could not possibly give it up. Such achievement and satisfaction cannot be reached by buying a LV bag. I will not give up. Surely one day I will be too tired to do it, but I will first find ways for them to be well taken care of.

7. What new perspectives have you obtained while helping all these dogs?

Dogs are animals with great feelings. Once a dog was hit by a car on an express way, lying there covered in its own blood. There was another dog as well that never left the afflicted dog’s side. Eventually both of them were saved and lived at my shelter. They ate together and always stayed together. Unfortunately one of them died due to sickness this year after having lived here for four years. The other dog then never left their den, nearly always lying there. Seeing this I realized that the feelings of these dogs are sometimes on par with or even greater than that of human beings. They know everything that is happening but simply cannot express themselves with words!8. What kind of help would you need?

Hopefully more families will be willing to adopt these dogs, giving them a forever home, regardless of what breed they might be, and treat them as a family member. I also hope that more people will pay attention to homeless animals, giving them help if they see them in trouble. Even if you may not like them please don’t harm them! They have the right to a peaceful life! Hopefully, more people will say no to animal performances and animal products. Helping them doesn’t have to mean giving money. Passing the message around also counts.April loves all her sheltered dogs and has strict requirements for adoption. Her dog shelter is in Changping District. They currently have limited helpers and are looking for committed volunteers. April speaks English and can be reached at the following WeChat account: