The Animal Protection Act

We continue to learn more in regards to the Animal Protection program. One of the criteria is to understand how we can protect the animals through the law *in Taiwan*, the Animal Protection Act.

Please brace yourself as this will be one of those blog with longer sentences compared to my usual photogenic post as I want to explain more detail regarding what I've learned from this session with Profession Jason.

This is professor Jason L.S. Yeh from the Institute of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, National Taiwan University. He gave us a whole day session on the Animal Protection Act and Stray dog ecology in Taiwan.

Another 7 eleven breakfast of the day!

We had a great learning experience with Professor Jason. He explain the differences between Animal Protection and Animal Conservation. Put in simple words means that protecting them from being harm/extinct and protecting their natural habitat is two different things and Animal Conservation might just be the hardest things to do as civilization grows, more natural habitat are being destroyed to satisfy the demand of land for development.

When he was talking about animal cruelty, violation of animal rights. Every country seems to be pointing their fingers at each other but are we that different?
He showed us pictures of many different countries using all kinds of inhumane method killing the animals to solve stays problems. Killing animals for their fur/skin which in reality is an unnecessary to us humans. Using cruel method in training the animals for human entertainment purpose.

René Descartes

He also did mentioned René Descartes who are the 'enemy' to all animals lovers because of his philosophy saying that animals are without rationality, that they cannot feel pain therefore practice vivisection on animal to "explore" how body works is alright.

He said that screening and crying of animal when being cut alive are nothing but "noice of machines". Can you even imagine yourself in that monkey position. It is sad to know such cruelty exist.

But thanks for Peter Singer who wrote a book entitle Animal Lliberation which is widely regarded as the touchstone of the animal liberation movement. His philosophy was in direct contrast with  René Descartes where he argued that the interests of animals should be considered because of their ability to feel suffering and that the idea of rights was not necessary in order to consider them.

 He is like a hero to all Animal Lovers =)

Another interesting topic is the Scope of Justice. Everyone has their own scope of justice, for example if someone who is not within your scope of justice got hurt you might not feel sad, you might not feel anything, you might even feel happy.

This concept applies to the animals too. If your own dog got sick, you will personally take it to a vet to be treated. This is because it is within your scope of justice. But if just a chicken among the thousand got sick in a farm, the management might just terminate it or even perform vivisection on it to find out the cause.

Numbers seriously matters. It's ok to care for 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 animals around us. But if you have too much especially in one place.

It is not possible to include all of them in your scope of justice.

Anyways moving on to the Animal Protection Act (APA). It is interesting that Taiwan made 7 amendments to the Act within a short period of 11 years. I'm not from a law background but according to the Prof, usually Law requires a very long period of time/years before amendments can be done. This shows the previous APA are just not as efficient nor effective, causing a lot of protest among those animal lovers.

Here's some news links I found in regards to the APA amendments.

Prof Jason 'feeding' birdy his straw~

Birdy don't like straw so it poop on the table~ ZZzzz

Most of us make full use of our resting session during break time  =)

Especially Bato...haha

Even the smell of our delicious lunch can't wake him...oh well~

After lunch we continue to our next session in regards to the Stay Dog Ecology in Taiwan. We discuss about the overpopulation of stray dogs and the impact of this upon the society such as city image problem, garbage, biting, noise pollution, disease and so on.

We were also reminded on how human used animals for centuries for so many reasons like guarding, guiding, showing even gambling etc. It is also one of the reasons we should show gratitude and appreciation to these amazing animals.

So to help solve the stray problems TNR was introduced. Though it is not a perfect solution but it was one of the best ones so far, and it is proven to be effective towards improving the stays issue in the city.

Our group photos taken inside the Taipei Animal Shelter

Finally we got our internet connection in the apartment!! =)

*7 of us were disconnected for more than 24 hours after moving into our 'new home'* Here's the post regarding that~

The Press Conference

This day was one of those important *formal* day of our intern. The Animal Protection Press Conference~ 

 So we try to be as formal as possible.

 Upon reaching the Taipei City Hall we saw the huge stage set up for the press conference.

Here's a video about our feeling before the press conference

 There's so many animal protection organization coming together as one showing their support towards this amazing movement in standing up for the animals.

 

 International organization like the SPCA participated in this press conference too. We can really see how serious they are trying to promote the animal protection welfare. Director Yen I Feng giving some speech *top right*.


There were many demonstration on the amazing talents dogs have and most importantly it is trained without putting any form of stress to the animal. Which means they were taught

Even famous Taiwan celebrities show their support. One of them was 黃子佼, a renown Taiwanese comedian and television host. He brought along his own dog which have been with him for almost 10 years! 

Each of us were told to give a short speech introduction of ourselves on stage and our comment on this campaign.

 That includes me!

Our group photos with the celebrities and SPCA representative.

After the press conference, Aunty Liu gave a brief session continuing her life's work in the organization. The core reason she brought us all from around the world together in Taiwan is because she hope that we can learn from her experience and plant these seeds of knowledge & attitude in our own country.

She emphasis a lot on the value human uphold towards animals. For how the country treat the animals is also part of a very important aspect for a country to show their advancement in society.  Saying this reminds me of a quote I learned from Professor Jason in regards to animals rights.

"I am in favor of animals rights as well as human rights. That is the way of the whole human being"~ Abraham Lincoln

On the way back we pass by Taipei 101. Which was once the tallest building in the world until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It's a magnificent building with the shape of a bamboo which portray an icon of learning and growth for the people in Taiwan.

The street of Taipei City Hall is filled with many weird but interesting performance. Some which I love really much!

For example this dancer!!

But of course you can't tell how good he is unless I show you the moved right??

Here's a video I took live on the spot! *Hope you like it* =)

Amazing dance move~ Imagine how great it is to be able to give people the platform to demonstrate something they are really good at.

When we went back Taipei Main Station we head down to the Night Market just around the corner. It was a hot day so Pat, Vitzy & I can't wait to try the super giant bowl of Mango Ice with a huge scope of ice-cream on top! Cost us $NT 120 but it's worth it! =)

Aunty Liu's Shelter

Before I start the main topic of this post. Let me share this~

Bato's cockroach hunting stunt...with our drinking cup!! =_='''

Cup of 7/11 coffee is always the favourite choice to kick start our morning call!

Adventure today is to visit Aunty Liu's very own animal shelter. It's located somewhere Linkou District which is isolated from the city area. This is because animal shelter will cause much disturbance to the residents. example dog barking, smells etc etc.  

While waiting for our transport to the shelter a dog came visit us. Aunty Liu's grandson *David* followed us too.

The side view of the shelter, it's has a really nice landscape view of hills & mountain. 

Upon reaching the shelter we were greeted not only by the staff & workers there but also their pet!

We gather together and Aunty Liu began to tell us her life story helping the animals *Hengyi was helping to translate as some can't understand english*. She has been helping & interacting with animals for more than 40 years! From the early sixties effort in saving the Orang Utan until now the 20th century rescuing strays dogs and cats.

One story hit me the most on the effort she did to save the strays...there was a time when the municipal council was trying to bring a truck of dogs to be put to death. She & few of her fellow helpers in the organization was so helpless not being able to reason with the officials. Leaving her no choice, she courageously laid down right in the middle of the road followed by her helpers to stop the truck from getting pass.

   

She told us so many real life stories of herself, how she started the animal organization to help stand up for the strays. She really devoted her life into helping these animals, even it means to sell off her property to fund the private shelter because in the past the government did not at all pay much attention to the animal welfare,  strays were being captured and put to death using very cruel method. She hopes to be able to change the governments' mindset in helping the animal. If a normal citizen her age are capable to show such amount of love for life then the government should at least take some steps setting good example to the people.

She also faced serious health problem with her heart, even the doctors could not help her. Even with her condition, she still persisted to help the strays. Bringing them food and providing shelter for them. During that time she did it all alone. Every time seeing the dogs running towards her in straight lines across the hills really touched her heart.  She cherished life *not just her own* and never stops reminding us to do so too.   

Through her perseverance helping the strays, the exercise she had. Miraculously her health problem just went away. She said this must be a blessing from God =)

One of the many achievements is the impact she made in solving the strays problems in Taiwan. By proposing the sterilization and also TNR solution to the government. After the successful implementation they can really see the dramatic decrease of strays in Taiwan until today (especially Taipei). This proves to be an efficient solution in improving the strays condition in Taiwan.   

We were given a tour of the facilities there at the shelter. They even have a surgical room that provide medical treatment & sterilization to the animals.

These are the dogs at the shelter.

It looks pretty old...well...yes because it is old. But everything there are well taken care of. There are even 2 full time workers hire by Aunty Liu herself to look after the dogs. Such wonderful dedication. 

Most of the dogs here are very old and no one wants to adopt them. Usually for this case the solution will be to put them to sleep, but Aunty Liu still wants to give them a living chance. Providing them food, shelter and space to room around too. 

I saw a huge spider hanging over the roof. 

Some even lose their ears because they were once abused. 

Can you imagine any human who would do this?

When we when up the shelter. First thing we saw is a huge stock of dog/cat food. She provide the dogs with the best nutrition food & care despite her financial difficulties. She could had use her saving to enjoy herself but she used it on the animal. She quote that money is only useful when we use it right, if not 

A group photos of us after the amazing tour.

We were invited to Kee Lung with Cindy *Aunty Liu's daughter in law* and family.

We brought the train tickets from Nang Gang to Kee Lung.

While waiting for the train station with Cindy.

When we reach there star cruise was right in front of the harbour. So cool!

Kee Lung night view is pretty amazing. 

So what are we doing there?

Visiting the night market of course! =P

The Clean Up =)

We just moved to a new apartment! So glad to be finally able to stay with every member of our TEAM under one roof. A bit lazy to write a lot, just got our internet installed. So I'll just post this video. Hope you enjoy it =)

FYI, this is the apartment which had NOT been occupied for 2 years! Yes you hear me...2 YEAR...dua tahun,...两年 =_='''

We'll I guess when everyone work together as a team. Nothing is impossible!