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| Animals Asia |
| Animal advocates gather to help animals in China. |
This November, more than 100 Chinese animal protectionists and several organizations participated in the 2007 China Companion Animal Symposium, hosted by Humane Society International and Animals Asia. The participants' strong motivation and dedication to homeless and abused animals were evident throughout the two days of the conference as they shared their experiences, exchanged ideas and discussed ways to overcome obstacles.
Pioneering the Movement
The difficulties these animal advocates face on a daily basis are overwhelming. Family, friends and communities are not always supportive, and the financial and emotional hurdles conference attendees and their peers endure in their work are only some of the obstacles they face in their mission to reduce animal suffering in China. But their compassion and drive are greater, and they are making a difference. Some of the stories and issues that surfaced during this conference moved the audience to tears; yet the often sad reality is something these brave pioneers are trying hard to improve.
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Resolutions |
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The resolutions unanimously passed by the delegates at the conference give a hint as to the state of pet ownership in China and the issues they face:
 Encourage the government to recognize dogs and cats as companion animals that actively help human kind in programs across the world and deserve more than being recognized as food for the table—in short, implore the government to induce regulations to bring the cruel industry of dog and cat eating to an end.
To implore the government to end dog culls from this point on.
To implore the government to end the slaughter of dogs and cats for their fur.
To encourage the government to work together with non government groups in providing far-reaching vaccination, desexing, and public education programs countrywide. |
HSI Offers Advice and Support
During the conference, HSI attendee Dr. Barry Kellogg met with Chinese veterinarians and gave presentations on Humane Euthanasia and The Common Issues Seen in Small Animal Practice in the United States. "The general population is beginning to bring small animals to their vets more frequently and they are looking for help in the treatment and care of those pets," he said. Dr. Kellogg found that licensing issues and a lack of drugs are two of the major concerns.
The objective of the symposium was to exchange information and provide an environment for learning more about basic animal care and protection. This was accomplished and more, as most of the participants walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, knowing that they are not alone in their struggles.
HSI Director of International Programs Kelly O'Meara commented, "It was promising to hear about the strides for animal protection by so many in the same room at this conference. Despite the consistent obstacles they face, these pioneers are making a difference for animals in China. HSI will continue to offer assistance, resources and education as needed to these Chinese organizations."
Waves of Change
There are no animal welfare laws in China to prevent cruelty, suffering and neglect, and this allows millions of companion animals to be inhumanely slaughtered for their fur and for food. Recent laws passed by other countries have begun to impact the Chinese fur market, but there is still a long road ahead to changing minds within China.
In the past year, China's animal welfare issues have been brought to international attention with the publicizing of stories about multiple dog culls and dog and cat consumption. We saw images of Chinese citizens sobbing and pleading for their animals' lives as government officials seized them during confiscations in Beijing. Rare demonstrations in the streets of China urging the government to change their culling plans and consider more humane methods of rabies control were written about in newspapers around the world. Several local animal organizations were able to assist in the removal of hundreds of abused and starved cats destined for restaurants. And private citizens delivered a powerful message when they banded together to locate and publicly shame a woman accused of crushing a puppy, rabbit and kitten with her stiletto heel on now-infamous Internet videos.
All of the above signify the tremendous wave of change that China is now on the cusp of and hopefully, with the help of organizations such as HSI and Animals Asia, that wave will only continue to grow. Certainly, there is a long way to go, but China is starting to give more attention to animal welfare issues—as well it should, as more and more Chinese families now keep a pet of some kind. The world will be watching as China tries to put its best foot forward on this issue in addition to others in anticipation of the 2008 Olympic Games.
