You've probably read the occasional heartfelt stories of adorable pets finding new homes on social media and the like. Good news: animal rescue organizations exist in Shanghai as well! Here's a guide to how you can get involved.
Adopt
Hundreds of pets are adopted in Shanghai each year. By adopting a pet, you are giving it a forever home and family. Depending on the organization, adoption can be completely free or include a small adoption fee. Good organizations will conducted basic background checks to make sure you are fit to have the pet. Adoptable pets are clean, healthy, and up to date on their vaccinations.
Before you get involved, you can always visit the animals in person. Animal rescue organizations host regular adoption days on various pedestrian streets that attract numerous animal lovers. These events are great opportunities to think about becoming involved, without any pressure.
The typical procedure for adopting or fostering a pet involves in-person visits to make sure you and the pet are well suited for each other. Most adoptions are free of charge, but in some cases organizations ask for optional donations as they're often greatly needed.
Foster
If you aren't sure whether you can handle the time committment for a pet, fosteringis a good option. This means temporarily hosting the pet for a certain amount of time or until someone (possibly you) adopts the pet. This also includes background checks to ensure the pet's wellbeing.
Donate
Animal lovers unable to have a pet may consider donating to help the cause. Animal rescue costs are high, as they involve healthcare, food, shelter, hygiene, neuter/spay procedures, and so on. Donations are greatly appreciated, no matter the amount.
Here are some major animal rescue organizations/individuals in Shanghai. Neither the people nor the pets bite, so don't be shy to reach out to them.
Will's Animal Rescue
Arguably the largest animal rescue orgnaization in Shanghai and running seven days a week. Will's primarily focuses on helping cats and dogs. They have a rescue team composed entirely of volunteers that skillfully rescue strays from the streets. Though they do have a base home for cats and dogs, many of the rescued pets reside in Will's huge network of foster homes. These fosters come together on adoption days with their adoptable pets hoping to find them a forever home.
Jaiya's Animal Rescue
JAR focuses more on foreigners and comes close to Will's in terms of influence. JAR is unable to take in pets, but if you rescued a stray, they can help connect you to vets and a foster home for the stray.
Gabby
Looking to adopt a pet other than cats and dogs? Gabby is an independent bunny and rabbit rescuer and foster parent. If you're considering to foster or adopt one of her many rabbits, feel free to ask her any questions about what it takes to maintain one. Her Wechat ID: snowflake_2010
Other animal rescue organizations in Shanghai include:
Best Friends China
E-mail: janeadoption@qq.com
PPAR
Wechat: PPAR_sh, PPAR Weibo
Pets for Adoption
Weibo, Blog, Taobao, Email: petsforadoption@163.com
Animal Home
Email: hoooome2014@qq.com, Wechat: sunnysunny17
Shanghai Animal Protection Frontline Alliance (SHAPFA)
Good Dog Good Cat Volunteer Shanghai (in Chinese) Album
Second Chance Animal Aid (SCAA)
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