Beijing and neighboring Hebei Province are establishing more shelters
for the increasing number of stray and illegal dogs, according to
Beijing's public security bureau.
Illegal dogs are either unregistered, or contravene the city's
"one dog policy." Official statistics show over 550,000 registered
dogs in the city, but Beijing Association of Small Animal
Protection estimates there are a further 450,000 unregistered dogs,
tallying the total at close to 1 million.
One of these centers is the Beijing Canine Shelter and
Inspection Center located in Qiliqu Town, Changping District in the
north of the city.
With four buildings for large dogs, eight rows of kennels for
small ones, a quarantine zone, an isolation zone and an adoption
zone, the center is capable of holding more than 1,000 dogs, said
Huang Zhimin, head of the bureau's canine administration
department. To date the center has received over 500 dogs.
The center also has a hospital and an eating zone, while
professional pet attendants and training experts ensure the dogs
are well cared for.
"Nutritious food is specially prepared every day and they are
given healthy portions," said Huang.
As well as ensuring illegal dogs are treated well and are
healthy, the center also serves as a base for adoption.
Qualified citizens can call the center's hotline (6973860) for
dog adoptions, which take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.
In Zhuozhou of Hebei, the local government yesterday allocated 1
million yuan (US$127,044) to set up four major dog "foster
stations," Xinhua News Agency reported.
A local official said they would shelter illegal dogs sent to
the area from Beijing. The official added local vets would provide
professional caring techniques and a local army-dog training base
would contribute to scientific and rational management of the
stations.
(China Daily November 16, 2006)