All dogs welcome: Taichung becomes more pet-friendly

Words by Paul Adams Translated by S. Ying
Photos provided by Paul Adams, Kelly Cheng and Ai Go

In December, newly-elected Mayor Lin Chia-lung won the respect of animal lovers across the city by announcing his target of reducing animal euthanasia in Taichung to zero within three years. The plan, which also includes such initiatives as increasing penalties for those who abandon animals, educating the public about neutering and adoption, and helping shelters better match animals to potential owners, could turn Taichung into Taiwan's Pet City.

With almost 5,000 pets euthanised last year, there will be more need than ever to find willing homes. Is Taichung ready to accommodate such an influx of domestic companions? Casting an eye at the city's pet infrastructure, from shelters to salons to cafes, it's clear that there is work to be done before the end of 2017. On the positive side, there's already a firm foundation in place to build on, as noted below.

The most obvious place to start is with those who are not yet pet owners, but who would like to share their time with another life. At the heart of Mayor Lin's new policy is changes to the official government shelters. The Taichung Animal Shelter is located on ZhongTai Road on Dadu Mt. In addition to temporarily housing abandoned cats and dogs for adoption, it also hosts a variety of domesticated animals and aims to educate potential adopters about responsible pet ownership.

Besides the government shelter there are a number of private organisations offering similar services without the looming threat of euthanasia. These shelters are largely dependent on public donations of both money and time in order to continue operating. One such shelter is located in the hills of Wufeng past the 921 Earthquake Museum. It recently expanded into a neighboring building--formerly a "puppy mill"--and allows its dogs to enjoy fresh air and large outdoor areas to run, play and even dig a network of tunnels in. Despite the idyllic surroundings, these canines still need to find permanent homes and all display the friendliest behaviour towards visitors.

In downtown Taichung, a weekly parade of rescued animals is displayed on the Calligraphy Greenway every Sunday, featuring dozens of dogs from shelters around the city hoping to attract new families, from puppies to older dogs in various physical conditions. The volunteers here truly devote their lives to these animals, some taking care of over a hundred animals on their own. For a deposit of NT$1,000--returned if you are still caring for your pet after six months--you can walk away with a new companion on the spot. Or you can simply help out these tired, but enthusiastic, workers by taking a little friend for some exercise around the neighbouring People's Park (Civic Square).

Once you have your new friend, you'll be itching to show them off to the world. Some places, like the Art Museum grounds and botanical gardens, ban pets outright. Thankfully, there are a number of parks where dogs are welcome, leash restrictions are tacitly ignored and pets can freely mingle. People's Park is a firm favourite, particularly on weekends, and the entire length of Calligraphy Greenway plays host to everything from cats and dogs to iguanas and ferrets. Taichung Metropolitan Park is another great destination for larger breeds if you can train them to follow you on a rented bicycle. Wenxin Forest Park, with its jogging and cycle paths, and Fengle Sculpture Park's more relaxed atmosphere are also popular choices.

When it comes to dining out with your dog, it all comes down to size. Most restaurants will allow smaller breeds unless specified otherwise. One recent addition to this scene, Second Floor Cafe on GongYi Road, has made its (small) pet-friendly policy one of its selling points.

For larger animals it can be a little trickier. However, there are dedicated establishments such as Bobby Pet Shower & Sunshine Cafe on ZhongXing Road where you can take your golden retriever, German shepherd or labrador for a spot of grooming while you relax with a drink and some snacks. As a general rule of thumb, businesses with larger resident pets will be amenable to similar visitors, such as Early Bird Diner where they'll happily provide a water bowl for your pet while you enjoy your meal. As owner Will Grazecki says regarding size restrictions, "For me it's either all dogs or no dogs", and his labrador, Sally, can usually be found sniffing around the tables and keeping guests amused.

For a more pet-focused day out, one of Taichung's best-kept animal secrets is Ai Go, located close to the High Speed Rail station. Open for almost 18 months now, Ai Go manages to combine kennel facilities, open play spaces, grooming and even a swimming pool for pups and owners alike. They are very used to taking care of dogs with specific needs and have even started making their own healthy dog snacks with an eye towards also feeding their human patrons soon after Chinese New Year. The swimming facilities are currently undergoing some small renovations and will re-open sometime in March, just in time for the summer sunshine.

Unfortunately not everybody who wants to keep a pet has the time or space required to responsibly keep an animal. What are the options if you need a little creature company but can't do it permanently? For a quick fix you can check out one of the many cafes around town which have a resident pet for visitors to fawn over. At R-Star cafe on ZhongMing South Road, you are truly spoiled for choices. Boasting indoor and outdoor seating areas, there is also a cat room occupied by the six resident felines which guests are free to visit. The cats are all remarkably calm around strangers and very open to being petted, making this a great spot for a little stress relief.

And, of course, you could always volunteer your time at one of the above-noted shelters. Local organisations such as TUAPA and Taichung PAWS (both can be found on facebook) organise regular visits, when you can help with cleaning and maintenance while getting a chance to spend some quality time with their charges. There are few more rewarding ways for an animal lover to spend a free weekend day. As a more indirect means of helping, visit Ai Wu Yuan secondhand store on MinSheng Road. All proceeds from the wide range of furniture, appliances, clothing and books go to supporting the Wufeng shelter mentioned earlier.

Although Taichung could certainly improve the accessibility of its public spaces and use more options for owners of larger dogs, this is still a very pet-friendly city. There's no lack of open spaces and certainly no excuse not to get involved with the city's burgeoning animal population in some way or another.

Taichung Government Animal Shelter
(04) 2385-0976
601, ZhongTai Rd, Nantun Dist

Second Floor Cafe
(04) 2327-2527
172, GongYi Rd, Sec 2, Nantun Dist

Bobby Pet Shower & Sunshine Cafe
(04) 2301-7868
120, ZhongXing St, West Dist

Early Bird Diner
(04) 2320-2608
62, ZhongMing S Rd, West Dist

Ai Go
0982-706990
5, Alley 103, Lane 2, XiNan Rd, Sec 2, Wuri Dist

R-Star Cafe
(04) 2326-8385
101, ZhongMing S Rd, West Dist

Ai Wu Yuan
(04) 2221-9035
150, MinSheng Rd, West Dist