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1) Forum on Promoting Animal Protection Legislation in China & ActAsia for Animals 4th Annual Workshop on Sustainable Advocacy - Sep 4th - 6th, 2009, Beijing
A 3-day workshop was hosted by ActAsia in Beijing with focus on subjects around the current draft of the Animal Protection Act and aimed to get NGOs' understanding of the issues involved, how the legislation will affect their work, and why and how the NGOs need to get involved in the process.
Dr Fiona Woodhouse, Deputy Director of Animal Welfare, the SPCA (HK) was invited to present the current legislations in Hong Kong, including the elements which are crucial in creating an impact on animal welfare protection. |
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2) The SPCA (HK), Humane Society International (HSI) and AnimalsAsia returned to study the Nanjing Dog Boarding and Inspection Centre - Sep 6th & 7th, 2009, Nanjing
What we found was very encouraging - fantastic progress has been made! |
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| The Boarding and Inspection Centre is basically a 'sanctuary' for stray, abandoned and confiscated dogs. |
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The Centre is physically divided into different areas:
- An administration area for animal registration
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- Dog Food Storage & Kitchen Area
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- Each kennel holds about 1 to 20 (puppies)
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| Adoption is promoted. An average of 60 dogs are adopted monthly and all animals are de-sexed before they are rehomed. PSB also arranges "Open Day" in shopping malls to promote adoption. |
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- Volunteers walk and socialise with the dogs in the centre
- Quarantine areas for sick or newly arrived dogs. In cases where it is necessary to minimise suffering, euthanasia is employed
The SPCA (HK) welcomes such an initiative to support the legislation for improving welfare of animals in Nanjing.
3) Nanjing Ping An A Fu Animal Shelter Visit, Sep 7, 2009
The SPCA (HK) and AnimalsAsia were invited by HSI to visit the Nanjing Ping An A Fu (PAAF) Animal Shelter which is currently keeping 1,500 animals.
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1. Poor Animal Welfare is attributed by:
- 1500 animals (1,400 dogs and about 100 cats) are too many to be managed effectively
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- Insufficient manpower to man the 2 farms
- One farm holds about 400 shih tzu at age 7 or above with an old couple taking care of them
- The other farm has the rest of the animals; 3 to 4 caretakers together with a group of volunteers helping out
- Open ranch chicken farm style of running the shelter is horrendous with dogs running everywhere under no control
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- Dog food is scattered all over the floor which is not hygienic and could lead to intestinal and possible spread of other contagious diseases
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- Skin problems are pandemic with the dogs; likely to be caused by:
- No separation of dogs; all open to cross infections
- Dogs sleep on concrete floor
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iii. The pool could be another source where virus spreads |
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- Adoption is not promoted by the shelter management. Volunteers are also foster parents who are the only ones who are welcome to adopt the animals
- Euthanasia is not employed to relieve unnecessary sufferings of animals
2 Animal Birth Control Has to be More Stringent
- There are still few male dogs not yet neutered but are allowed to walk and run around in the farm
- Female dogs are not spayed
3. Lack of Veterinary Care Facilities in the Shelter
- There are huts (with door) which are used for animal quarantine
- Yet, basic concept of separating sick from healthy animals is not practiced.
- Treatment room, etc, is not available.
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| The current situation is further complicated by the fact that the shelter has to move by the end of this year. A report will be produced by HSI covering actions we can possibly take to improve the shelter conditions. |
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| 1. 1) Xiamen Youth Summer Camp - Animal Protection, July 18-20, Xiamen, 2009 |
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SPCA is committed to our belief that EDUCATION is the key to minimising animal abuse and improving animal welfare. The SPCA (HK) produced a Humane Education Package in 2007, a set of teaching resources for Primary and Secondary school students, with sponsorship by the Hongkong Bank Foundation.
The SPCA China Outreach and the SPCA (HK) Education Department were invited to present Education Package materials and an overview of the China Outreach Programmes to 45 students of the Xiamen No. 1 High School on July 18th, 2009. |
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We are extremely pleased that to extend the reach of the animal welfare concept to other students in Xiamen. The XMAPA will work with the Education Bureau to explore ways to include the SPCA (HK)'s Humane Education Package materials in the school curriculum.
HLC TV Channel has covered our education trip to Xiamen and the Humane Education Package on their channel to broaden exposure. Thanks for their support for better animal welfare. |
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| 2. Animal Protection Act |
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The SPCA (HK) welcomes the drafting of the Animal Protection Act by academics and law professionals in China.
"We welcome this initiative. This is highly essential – the development of animal welfare laws is a necessary step to improving animal welfare in China," says Twiggy Cheung, Deputy Director, China Outreach, SPCA (HK). Presently there is little consideration for the welfare of animals under the law in China, and throughout all these years there has been minimal education on animal welfare concepts. When comparing with internationally accepted welfare standards, in very many instances the handling of animals, falls well short.
Supporting the development and implementation of animal welfare laws is one of the main focuses at the SPCA (HK) under our China Outreach Programme. We are facilitating this initiative by helping those who are committed to change by educating and introducing expertise wherever possible.
"Much of the 'cruelty' we see is the result of a lack of knowledge or understanding of animals and welfare concepts. However, we do see a growing concern for animals and their welfare at the grass roots level," says Cheung. Similarly the links between improved animal welfare, animal health and human health and welfare are also being recognised in China both in industry and by the Government. The engagement of dedicated academics who can debate the issues and have in depth knowledge of the Chinese legal system is crucial to the eventual establishment of robust animal welfare laws in China. The continued commitment in educating not only the general public but all stakeholders is vital to the whole process.
On the legislative front, the current legislation in China focuses on limiting and controlling animal populations and movement, as well as protecting wildlife. As a proactive, long-established animal welfare organisation, the SPCA (HK) encourages that the welfare of animals should be considered when laws are drafted. In addition we support the development of specific animal welfare legislation that not only prevents and punishes cruel acts but also actively promotes good animal welfare.
The RSPCA (UK), who works hand in hand with the SPCA (HK), has had a key role in promulgating the drafting of the Animal Protection Act for China which will be put forward to the National People's Congress and the State Council as a reference for putting together China's 1st Animal Welfare Law. In the media scene of HK, the SPCA (HK) has been actively promoting an early enactment of the law for China since the drafting team of the Act revealed the content in mid June. The Act is expected to emerge in full details in August and will be open to public consultation.
Meanwhile, the SPCA (HK) will continue to help address animal cruelty cases as well as improve animal control legislations which may have an impact on animal welfare in China. The most pressing task is the newly enforced Dog Management Legislation of the Guangzhou City. The SPCA (HK) is in discussion with the China Liaison Office to establish higher level contact and aim to review with the Guangzhou Government to see what assistance we may offer for better animal welfare since the enforcement of the new legislation a month ago. |
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| 3. Roll Out Best Practices of Veterinary Science and Animal Welfare Programs |
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The SPCA (HK) has been working with the various agricultural universities and Veterinary Associations – to establish best practices by sharing our experience via delivering lectures and giving demonstrations to aim to enhance skills and increase awareness of animal welfare concepts.
The SPCA (HK) acknowledges the vital role veterinary surgeons play in the improvement of animal welfare. In September this year, the SPCA (HK) will liaise with the Southwest University of Chongqing on the development of a course on Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics to be incorporated into their veterinary degree study. Hopefully this initiative will set a precedent to be followed by other agricultural universities. |
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| 3.1) Veterinary Science – Lectures on Skin and Infectious Diseases sponsored by Royal Canin at the Southwest University, Chongqing, May 2009 |
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| 3.2) Veterinary Science – Dr. Tony Matthews, Senior Vet Surgeon SPCA (HK) delivered a lecture on Joint Disease in Dogs at the Small Animal Clinical Veterinary Surgeons Conference for South Western China, May 13th, Shanghai & the Nanjing Agriculture University on the 14th |
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| 3.3) Veterinary Science - On Site Desexing Demonstration in the Chongqing Small Animal Hospital, May 1, 2009. Surgical sterilisation programmes are advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to effectively and humanely reduce the animal populations |
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| 3.4) Animal Welfare Programs – Vet Nurse Calais Sin from SPCA (HK) shared details of our Cat Colony Care Program with local Chinese NGOs at the China Companion Animal Symposium 3rd, hosted by Animals Asia Foundation, May 9th and 10th, Chengdu |
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