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