A 75-meter sports track has
been specially created for
animals at the Taichung City
Animal Protection and Health
Inspection Center to exercise,
clean themselves and relax. It
is also a great place for stray
animals and their adoptive
owners to interact and play
with each other.

Taichung City Animal Protection
and Health Inspection Center
has received an honorary
award for its execution and
operations among similar
establishments throughout
Taiwan (12 cities and counties
competed for this award).
Chief Officer Yu Jian-chong was
very proud of this achievement,
but still believes that Taiwan's
people need to further
understand the concept of
"respecting animals' lives".

Taichung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Center wins wide praise, approval from general public

The Red Soil Track & Sandy SPA: A 5-star resort for stray cats and dogs

Words and photos by Taichung
City Government
Translated by Ann Lee

"They can jog along the red soil tracks and train their bodies physically, or tumble on the sandy grounds and then take a bath inside the spa pool to relax": This isn't your ordinary gym routine but, rather, describes a home for stray cats and dogs at the Taichung City Animal Protection Health Inspection Center, an animal shelter that also offers its residents leisurely "work outs" and a true home-like feeling. Every morning and at sunset, you can easily see the adopted masters of stray cats and dogs taking their charges here for runs, or interacting with their animals in a cozy yet amusing spectacle.

This particular animal protection and health inspection center was recently given an honorary award for the execution and operation of the facility. Apart from having the most comprehensive equipment for taking care of animals in Taiwan, this center has a record-setting capacity of 320 stray cats and dogs. A 79-meter sports track for the animals' enjoyment has been built, and the annual adoption rate for its residents has reached as high as 47.5%. The center has also been responsible for helping finance the "fixing" (sterilization) of 6,747 stray animals.

In addition, the Taichung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Center has the city's first 24-hour emergency center for animals, and cooperates with the city fire bureau and animal hospitals to help provide medical treatment and aid to animals needing immediate care. This illustrates the efforts that Taichung City Government is making in regards to improving animal care and rights in the city.

"Animals should be treated in the same way that people treat their children," according to center chief officer Yu Jian-chong. In reality, cats and dogs are indeed just like children, and also need to be cared for and pampered. When it comes to former stray animals, adoptive owners and host families usually display a love and loyalty that exceeds store-bought animals. So far, Officer Yu has adopted three stray dogs himself.

Yu graduated from National Chiayi University and has been a veterinarian since leaving school. He originally served as head officer at the Taichung Animal Protection and Health Inspection Center, from 1997 until he retired in 2005. However, following his retirement, the stray animal shelter belonging to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau experienced a shocking dog cannibalism incident resulting from cramped, poor conditions at the facility. Ten months later, Yu was employed by Mayor Jason Hu as the center's chief officer.

"Receiving an award means all the staff's hard work and dedication have been recognized and approved," he says.

Taiwan's animal protection laws were not officially established until 1998, unlike Western countries where these kinds of regulations have 80 to 100 years of history. While the concept of loving and protecting animals still needs to be promoted and emphasized to Taiwanese citizens, Yu has faith that with the help of government agencies, the media and all animal lovers Taiwan's animal protection efforts and attitudes will improve in time.