Lots of animals find themselves in trouble in China. Chances are most of us have seen a stray animal that is hungry, sick or abused at least once during our stay in this tropical paradise. Without getting into the events that lead up to it or the emotions that the situation evokes, a simple and painfully practical question arises: what can I do to help?
The truth is, helping out an animal in a foreign and expensive city, especially if your knowledge of the language is limited to ordering noodles, is a formidable task. It is not to be taken lightly, as we all know that our small act of kindness comes with a big chunk of responsibility. Knowing what to do, who to turn to and what you and your furry friend are in for will give you more confidence and help you move ahead.
So what do you do if you want to help out a stray animal?
1) Even if the animal you are looking at seems perfectly healthy, a trip to the vet is essential. You will need to check if it has all the necessary vaccinations and discover whether there are any underlying conditions that require treatment. The problem is vet clinics in Shenzhen are expensive. More than that, some veterinarians will start by writing up a bill without even looking at the animal first.
Luckily, there is a practice known as “compassionate discount.” For instance, Doctors Beck & Stone vet clinic, within the framework of their Pet Rescue Program, will offer you a different price list for a pet that you are trying to save. You will still need to pay, but the sum will be significantly smaller.
2) After you have ensured that your new friend is doing well, the next query is: where will your companion stay? It’s great if you are willing to welcome a pet, but what if you already have a few or your current situation does not allow for full-time care?
Once again, we have to come back to the uncomfortable truth about how expensive pet services are in the city. A fancy hotel (yes, that’s real) will charge you RMB200 a day for rooming your pet, while the cheapest option will be around RMB50 (for a medium-sized dog, including your supply of food and two walks a day).
The reality is that there is very little actual difference between the options. In an RMB200 hotel, your pet will still get two walks a day and will need you to take care of the food and a blanket, as the extra money seems to be meant entirely for the fancy decor. So, let’s take a look at what you could do:
RMB50 per day is still a hefty financial commitment, but could be a reasonable short-term solution. Check out Blue Spirit Pet Hospital chain.
Post an advertisement. There are lots of like-minded people out there who are willing to help out. Posting an ad and outlining your situation can be quite effective in finding a long-term solution or, at least, a temporary home.
Start a community. There is power (and savings) in numbers. If you have a group of friends who share your lack of indifference to animals in trouble, it’s good to have each other on speed dial. This way, you can help out with animal housing or pitch in financially.
If you have picked up a kitten or a puppy, your situation is easier. Most pet shops will be willing to take the little fellow in with no cost to you and put them up for adoption.
3) Many other issues may pop up when taking care of an animal and you may also need local help. Shenzhen is a new city, and the situation with animal rights associations is not ideal. Nonetheless, there already are a few local organizations that can offer a bit of help. It’s certainly easier if you can recruit someone with good Chinese skills to guide you through the communication process, but some websites do have English versions:
www.szadoptpet.com (English)
sdpa.net.cn (Chinese)
www.szcat.org (Chinese)
www.szaipets.cn (Chinese)
Never feel afraid to reach out. Whatever the situation is, no matter how challenging it may look and how helpless you may feel, don’t be afraid to ask for support. This city is full of people who will respond to your call with the best of intentions, advice, wishes and help.
0 User Comments