Inhumane animal control practices, unspeakable housing
conditions for stray dogs and cats, and the suffering endured
by these animals in Taiwan (the Republic of China) was headline
news around the world in 1995. Since then a quiet revolution
has slowly been taking place—one in which The Humane Society of
the United States/Humane Society International (HSUS/HSI) has
played and continues to play a key role, described in the
outline that follows.
1995
HSUS/HSI writes to the Taiwanese government urging reform of
inhumane animal control practices and supporting proper
training in animal handling and control.
1996
HSUS/HSI is invited to participate in a conference on animal
welfare developed by Dr. Liang Chou Hsia, professor of animal
production at Pingtung University of Science and Technology,
and sponsored by the university and several Taiwanese animal
protection groups. The main topic of discussion is stray dog
control. Martha Armstrong, Vice President, Companion Animals,
and other lecturers visit Taipei shelters and pounds. Armstrong
and Dr. James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania School
of Veterinary Medicine accompany Dr. Hsia to meetings with
public officials regarding stray dog control.
1997
Extensive correspondence and material related to humane
animal care and control flows from HSUS/HSI to Taiwan. In
particular, information on humane euthanasia, including an
introduction to Vortech Pharmaceuticals, is shared. HSUS/HSI
and the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) begin to lay the
groundwork for a comprehensive training program for all
Taiwanese animal control workers.
A hoof and mouth disease epidemic in Taiwan raises fears of
a potential rabies epidemic, which results in a bounty being
set on dogs in some areas.
June—Representatives of the Council on Agriculture
(COA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accompany
Dr. Hsia to two days of meetings in Honolulu with HSUS/HSI and
HHS staff to review problems, assess causes, and design a plan
to resolve Taiwan's stray dog problem.
1998
April—HSUS/HSI, the HHS, and various members of the
government of the Republic of China sign an historic agreement
in which the three entities become partners in the effort to
reduce the number of homeless dogs in Taiwan. In addition, four
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) are signed with two
government agencies (the COA and EPA) and two Taiwanese
nongovernmental agencies (the Animal Protection Association of
the Republic of China and National Pingtung University of
Science and Technology) to work together to promote humane
animal control and responsible pet ownership in Taiwan.
August—HSUS/HSI and the HHS conduct a two-week
workshop at the HHS facility in Honolulu for 14 representatives
from the COA, EPA, and other government and private
organizations of Taiwan. Topics addressed include humane animal
capture and handling techniques, spay/neuter procedures, dog
behavior, adoption policies, health and evaluation, as well as
legislative action and how to promote community support for the
humane treatment of animals. This "train the trainers" workshop
is designed to acquaint Taiwanese animal workers with the full
spectrum of animal care, control, and protection work.
November—With strong support from HSUS/HSI and other
animal protection organizations worldwide, Taiwan passes its
first animal protection law. The new law is a vital part of the
overall plan to resolve the stray dog and pet overpopulation
problems.
December—HSUS/HSI and HHS conduct a two-week training
of nearly 90 animal workers and veterinarians at National
Pingtung University of Science and Technology and meet with
highest-level government officials. Larry Gates, of the
architectural firm Gates, Hafen & Cochrane, meets with Dr.
Hsia in Pingtung and Drs. Fei and Yen in Taipei to discuss
shelter design, including plans for a new Taipei City animal
shelter.
1999
February—The Taiwanese government further
demonstrates its commitment to humane animal control by signing
of an agreement with Vortech Pharmaceuticals for the provision
of sodium pentobarbital solution for humane euthanasia. The
government mandates its use throughout Taiwan for euthanasia
purposes.
June—HSUS/HSI and the HHS conduct a 40-hour training
course in Pingtung to prepare government officials to serve as
inspectors as required by Article 23 of the new animal
protection law. The government of Taiwan budgets approximately
$5 million for continuing special training for animal control
officers, shelter workers, and veterinary inspectors. The mayor
of Taipei City budgets over $1.5 million to develop humane
education materials and to send staff to Pingtung University
for training in conducting inspections of animal
facilities.
December—HSUS/HSI and the HHS conduct another
in-country training for Taiwanese animal care and control
workers and veterinarians at National Pingtung University.
Meetings are held with government officials in Taipei to review
progress made in previous trainings, implementation of the new
Animal Protection Act, compliance with the new
licensing/registration law, and plans for building new animal
shelters throughout Taiwan.
2000
February—COA chairman Shiang-Nung Ling presents an
update on the progress of Animal Protection Law implementation
and new shelters in Taiwan at the HSUS Animal Care Expo in Las
Vegas. Meetings are held with Chairman Ling and HSUS President
Paul Irwin to discuss future plans for collaboration.
August—Martha Armstrong and HSI Executive Director
Neil Trent meet with COA staff to discuss progress made under
the existing MOU and the possibility of signing a new MOU in
April 2001. HSUS staff visit and meet with the staff of the
newly opened Taipei City shelter.
November—HSUS/HSI and the HHS present further
training courses in Taiwan in conjunction with the Taipei
County Veterinary Medical Association. Progress on the
development of a comprehensive humane animal care and control
program and building of suitable animal shelters is evaluated
and recommendations made. Further discussions are held
regarding the signing of a new MOU and clarifications are made
as to training evaluation and progress. HSI staff meet with
Taipei city shelter staff to review plans for the new shelter
and urge major revisions of plans.
2001
April—Courses in shelter management and animal
welfare inspection techniques are conducted in Taiwan by
HSUS/HSI, HHS, and Marin Humane Society (Novato, California)
staff. Many of the students are those who have participated in
previous HSUS/HSI training sessions. A second MOU is signed by
HSUS/HSI and the COA under which the organizations will
continue to work in cooperation with one another in addressing
the issues regarding stray and homeless dogs and cats and
furthering the protection of all animals in Taiwan.
December—HSUS/HSI staff conduct additional training
for Taiwanese animal protection workers and for 200 elementary
school teachers from the Kaohsiung area. They meet with staff
of the Taipei City animal shelter to discuss problems of
shelter design and possible solutions. They also meet with
Taipei City Mayor Ma to learn about issues facing the shelter
and to explore a more formalized agreement between HSUS/HSI and
Taipei City for training and assistance on animal care,
control, and protection. They tour the new Kaohsiung City and
Taipai City shelters, meeting with staff from both facilities
to evaluate their progress and offer suggestions for continuing
improvements in operations and programs. Armstrong lectures at
National Taiwan University for Dr. Fei's class on animals and
ethics.
2002
August—HSUS/HSI conduct a dual-focused workshop in
Taiwan on shelter design and management. The audience includes
not only veterinarians and shelter workers but also architects
and building designers. The form and function of the shelter
and its impact on animals is highlighted. HSUS/HSI staff also
visit the shelter in Hsin Chu County to look at plans for a new
shelter with their architect, who had attended the workshop
just completed. At a meeting with the COA, progress to date was
discussed.
2003
March—After poor
conditions at some Taiwan dog shelters were brought to the
attention of HSUS/HSI, staff conducted unannounced visits to 27
animal shelters throughout Taiwan. During the shelter visits
HSUS/HSI documented severe problems at some shelters including
inadequate staffing, poor animal care, and violations of the
animal protection law. After the five-day shelter tour,
HSUS/HSI presented the findings to COA government officials.
HSUS/HSI expressed concern that these negligent conditions were
not brought to our attention by the government itself, but by
non-governmental organizations. Such lack of communication
showed a failure on the part of the Taiwanese government to
comply with the 2001 MOU in which the two organizations vowed
to work cooperatively with one another to address animal
sheltering issue in Taiwan. HSUS/HSI felt that these poor
shelter conditions should have been discussed by COA so that we
could provide assistance and make improvements. As a result of
this breakdown in communication and trust, HSUS/HSI felt it
necessary to cancel the MOU until the government takes these
issues more seriously and shows some initiative towards taking
steps to improve animal shelter conditions in Taiwan. It is
important to clarify, however, that The HSUS/HSI has not
abandoned our efforts in Taiwan altogether. We will continue to
provide assistance, education, and advice to those in the
country working on these issues.
September—At the
request of the Taiwan Veterinary Medical Association, HSUS/HSI
staff conducted training workshops over the course of four days
in Kaohsiung for an audience of varied participants which
included professors, veterinary students, veterinarians, and
animal shelter employees. Topics presented included animal
protection trends around the world, animal protection trends in
the United States, pet shops and inspections, working with the
media, adoptions, volunteer management, improving the public
perception of shelters, and pediatric sterilization.
