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Taiwan animal euthanasia ban comes into force
More than 100,000 animals are admitted to shelters in Taiwan every year.

Ban comes one year after suicide of a vet

A ban on animal euthanasia in Taiwan is set to come into force following the shocking suicide of a vet.

According to The Taipei Times, Chien Chih-Cheng took her own life as a message that ‘all lives are equal’ in hope that the government would put more effort into managing the stray animal problem.

Chien was the director of an animal shelter in Taoyuan’s Xinwu District. On the 5 May 2016, she allegedly took her own life using animal euthanasia drugs.

According to reports, Chien left a note explaining that while she was a passionate animal lover, she was extremely disturbed by having to euthanise so many animals. Chien did not like putting dogs down, but she saw this as a better end for the unwanted animals than leaving them at risk of disease.

Taiyuan city councillor Wang Hai-yu told The Taipei Times that Chein was under immense stress as a result of misinformed criticism being directed at her.  

Before her death, Chien took part in a television interview in which she revealed that she had put down 700 dogs in one year. Animal activists reacted by unleashing relentless attacks on Chien’s shelter. Some even described her as a ‘butcher’.

Every year in Taiwan, more than 100,000 animals are admitted to shelters, of which 70 per cent are euthanised because they cannot be adopted.
The problem stems from puppy farms, which produce an average of 160,000 puppies a year. This leads to overcrowding at shelters, which are also understaffed and lack proper resources.

Chien’s death prompted a huge debate about animal policies in Taiwan. The Council of Agriculture said that it understood the plight of animals and would seek improvements.

Following an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, from 4 February it will be illegal to put down abandoned animals.
According to BBC News, the Taiwanese government plans to increase funding and staff at shelters and says that it will also provide psychological support. Anybody that wishes to leave a pet in a shelter will now have to pay fee of $125 (£100).

Critics want the government to get tough on puppy farms, carry out spay and neuter programmes and provide assistance to organisations that take in strays.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.