Beijing to care for stray animals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-11 13:51

Though many people still consider dog meat a delicacy, others are starting to accept the idea of animal welfare.

A vendor sells dogs dressed in Chinese style clothing at a dog market in Tongxian, a suburb of Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004. The three-month-old puppies were selling for 1200 Yuan (US$145.00) each. According to state media reports, one in 10 Beijing families keeps a pet - despite high annual registration fees and restrictions on when they can be walked in the streets. [AP]

A group of animal welfare organizations will be designated to house stray animals in the nation's capital, according to sources with the Beijing Agriculture Bureau.

Negotiations are under way between the bureau and city government departments on the issue.

With financial support of both the city's agricultural bureau and government, animal shelters will be required to provide free vaccination and veterinary services.

At the annual session of the municipal legislature earlier this year, some policy-makers advanced proposals on formulating an animal protection law.

Beijing has worked out detailed measures to implement the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law of China and eight sets of supporting rules. It includes regulations on animal shelter and control.

The animal shelter rules cover stray animals, pets abandoned by their owners and animals in danger. Animal shelters in Beijing should provide food, drinking water and vet services for the animals they accommodate. They should also take measures to prevent the animals from being injured, harassed and abused.

Officials with the International Fund for Animal Welfare said there are about a dozen animal shelters in Beijing. Most operate at peak capacity. An animal shelter in Xiaotangshan, on the city's outskirts, houses about 500 stray animals, far beyond its capacity.

The IFAW was "pleased the municipal government has decided to support animal shelters," according to its officials. The international institution has also voiced its hope that Beijing will promulgate special rules to punish those who abandon pets.

Besides government efforts, some individuals now believe in the concept of animal welfare.

Zhang Yi, head of an association of little animals in Shanghai, has donated more than 2 million yuan (US$241,000) to adopt nearly 1,000 dogs and cats.

More people have also changed their traditional ideas about animals in zoos. Since late March, the Shanghai Wildlife Park has stopped feeding tigers and lions live chickens and rabbits to protect the welfare of the latter.

Prior to the move, 25 wild animal parks from some cities - including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen - signed a letter pledging to ensure animal welfare.

"Wild animal parks have taken the lead in promoting awareness of animal welfare," said Feng Zuojian, secretary-general of the China Animal Society.

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