CSAPA 2007

A volunteer holds one of the rescued cats

By Carly Ikuma

On January 25, cat lovers from Tianjin, a city 85 miles east of Beijing, entered the Minquan Flower and Bird Market and demanded that more than 400 caged cats be released immediately to their care.

The cats, who were to be inhumanely slaughtered for their meat, cowered in their small, crowded cages. Most were malnourished, some were pregnant or already giving birth. All were visibly terrified.

The protesters argued that some of these cats were stolen pets, and when the confrontation between the cat owners and animal welfare advocates and the meat sellers heated up, police were called. Professor Lu Di, founder of the China Small Animal Protection Association, also stepped in to mediate.

What happened next is extraordinary in a country where animal welfare laws do not exist.

Though the advocates had no proof the animals were owned pets, the meat traders were pressured to release the cats to the care of CSAPA. On the evening of February 11, 415 rescued cats arrived at CSAPA headquarters in Beijing with the assistance of dozens of volunteers and 16 students from the China Agricultural University.

Some of the cats were seriously injured or in critical condition, and five were already dead. Most were suffering from severe upper respiratory infections and others bore visible signs of abuse from their time at the Market. Veterinary clinics in the area took the most acute cases and volunteers cared for the rest.

Upon arrival, the volunteers slowly opened the cages to transfer the cats, but they were too frightened to come out. Eventually, after soft coaxing and patience, some of the cats were able to be moved. Three hours after arriving at CSAPA headquarters, most of the cats had fallen asleep, finally able to relax.

This was the largest animal rescue operation in Beijing area history. It also represents the changing attitude of Chinese towards animals and their welfare. In November 2006, Beijing instituted strict rules governing the ownership of dogs; violators had their canine companions confiscated and allegedly killed. A protest brought more than 500 people to the entrance of the Beijing zoo to voice support for animal welfare legislation and displeasure with the regulations—almost unheard of in a country where protests are strictly forbidden.

When Humane Society International heard of the remarkable cat rescue, we gave them a small amount of emergency funding to help offset costs. We are hoping their actions will inspire other advocates in China to take steps to prevent further unnecessary animal suffering in the country's notoriously cruel meat and fur markets.

Animal protection organizations in China are working hard for the passage of China's first animal welfare laws. HSI continues to press for humane animal control programs and better treatment of farm animals. We will also be sponsoring a training workshop for veterinarians in China in late 2007.