Category Archives: Euthanasia

The plans in the current Salama Insurance provide pet owners the option of paying monthly or annual premium amounts. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Dubai: As pet care costs escalate, pet insurance is something many pet owners wish for.

A new pet insurance introduced by Salama Insurance covers sickness and emergency care and provides direct billing at 10 vet clinics on their network across the UAE and 20 per cent co-payment. It covers over 350 breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds and all cat breeds.

The plans in the current Salama Insurance provide pet owners the option of paying monthly or annual premium amounts. They not only take care of regular vet visits but also expenses such as sudden injury or accident, ad for a missing pet, reward for a missing pet and humane euthanasia recommended by the vet.

Pet care costs

Statistics on pet care in the UAE indicate that pet owners shell out a minimum of Dh1,000 when their pet falls ill and needs medical intervention. It is estimated that emergency vet bills in the UAE range from Dh900 and go into thousands of dirhams.

Speaking to Gulf News, Aoun Smadi from Salama Insurance, said: Pet owners always want to provide the best care for their pets, just as they would for their familys health. An affordable pet insurance plan will provide them peace of mind. We have designed this insurance as an instant, affordable and convenient solution that offers flexibility, direct billing option, higher insurance limits among other benefits to people who love their furry friends.

How it works

Luke Craven of Yalla Compare, a digital platform where the new insurance plan is available, said several pet insurance schemes in the past were discontinued as they were not financially feasible. Now the insurance provider has worked out the expense systematically and priced it in a manner which is a win-win for all. The cost of the insurance, which can be paid in monthly or as a one time annual fee, will differ, going by the breed, size, age and species of the animal.

What is on offer?

The insurance has three packages bronze, silver and gold, with a co-insurance pay of 20 per cent and is already live on the digital platform. A pet owner can fill in all details about the pet and get a quote on different packages and premiums for pets from eight weeks old to 10 years of age, said Craven.

Once subscribed to an annual plan, and depending on the package, the insurance will cover vet fees, medical treatment, cost of medicine, diagnostics, advertising costs for a missing dog, reward amount, liability cover if the animal is involved in damage or injury of a third party, preventative care and euthanasia.

Pet owners can read the document and go through the fine print to understand details on exclusions, inclusions for the package they choose.

Prices are clearly calculated on the age, breed and gender of the animal.

One can subscribe to the insurance online.

Direct billing at 10 vet clinics across the UAE.

Choice of Bronze, Silver or Gold package with a vet fee limit of Dh10,000, Dh20,000 and Dh30,000 respectively.

Also covered is advertising for a missing pet and a reward fee, the limit for which is Dh750 in the Silver and Gold Package.

Euthanasia recommended for sick or old dog covered for Dh750 in silver and gold package.

There is preventative treatment of up to Dh400 covered in the gold package.

Pet owners can expect a reimbursement of 80 per cent with a co-insurance fee of 20 per cent per visit.

Third party liability cover of up to Dh20,000 is available in the gold and silver packages.

What are prerequisites?

* Pet must be owned by a person with a valid Emirates ID and resident visa in the UAE.

Pet must be at least eight weeks old in age and not exceed 10 years of age to be eligible for a cover. In case of a pet that is in the ongoing cover, insurance will cease to be valid from its 11th birthday.

Pets must be micro-chipped, must have undergone mandatory vaccinations and also a yearly dental check-up to be eligible.

Insurance claim is active from day one of the cover but in case of a new insurance, the claim for an illness cannot be made before 14 days of the start of the policy or the first 48 hours in case of accident after issue date.

Hereditary conditions are not covered and pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Policy covers all expenses at the vet that comprises consultation fee, examination, diagnostic screening costs, medicines and nursing care.

There is a detailed list of exclusions on the website and explanations on cancellation of policy

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Have you got a pet insurance for your pet in the UAE? - Gulf News

Habersham County Animal Care and Control participated in a transport Friday that sent more than 100 animals to rescue groups up north to find their forever homes.

The transport was part of a rescue initiative called the Georgia Transport Alliance, which is organized by volunteer coordinators and Northeast Georgia animal shelter teams. Since the organization was founded by Gail Connor of Metro Atlanta in 2018, more than 10,000 Northeast Georgia animals have gone to northern rescue organizations to find their forever homes.

Connor, a native New Yorker, spent more than 15 years in animal rescue. One of the things shes seen during her time in Georgia is that the number of homeless animals far outweighs the number of adopters, something that isnt the case up north.

In the north, they have more adopters than they have animals, which is something that we can only dream about Georgia, Connor says. I have about 115 rescues in the Northeast and Midwest that we transport to.

The Habersham County Animal Shelter, led by Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix, has participated in 77 animal transports and sent around 806 animals to rescue organizations with the Georgia Transport Alliance.

For a lot of animal control [groups], their job is to rid the town of unwanted or lost animals . . . Im so thankful that some of the shelters do take on a rescue mentality so that they are looking for answers to save lives, Connor says. In Georgia, we just dont have enough adopters for all the homeless animals. Many [animal control groups] from my experience dont even try hard to find solutions for their animals, whereas Madi will do whatever it takes.

Northeast Georgia animal shelters, from Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter in Danielsville to Forsyth County Animal Shelter in Cumming, come together to make these transports happen. Through the cooperation of these shelters, transports happen almost weekly, but not always of the magnitude of Fridays transport.

Habersham County sent 37 animals on the transport, while Madison-Oglethorpe sent 28. Shelters like the Athens-Clarke County Shelter, Hall County Animal Shelter, DeKalb County Shelter and a slew of others also sent animals on the transport to get them into forever homes.

The transporting of animals isnt free but it is a group effort between Northeast Georgias shelters and the rescues that take those animals in to make sure financial burdens dont fall on one group or organization.

During transports, the shelters trade off who pays for gas money, and the rescues up north help take care of vet bills. For Habershams share of transport costs, Nix says that donations have helped cover those expenses. But she says that even with transports up the coast costing around $400 in gas, its a better allocation of tax dollars to transport animals to rescues.

Its costing us less to get these animals out of here than it is to pay to feed them, to pay to take care of them, to have the space to house them, all that kind of stuff, Nix says. Theres no point in these animals sitting here for no reason. Its not like we dont have to put money into them the longer they sit there.

Nix estimates that each animal at the shelter costs about $10 a day to feed, house and provide veterinary care for.

Transports work when it comes to getting homeless animals adopted, according to Nix. She tells Now Habersham that the animals they send on transports have been waiting at the shelter hoping for homes for months. Several of the animals that went out on Fridays transport had been at the shelter since September.

Kensington, a female terrier/pit mix who came to the shelter at the beginning of September, went on a transport to Connecticut earlier this month. Within five days, shed been adopted by her forever family.

No one wanted that dog, Nix said. [But when] she went up north, she was adopted within five days.

Kensington joined a family of four, where she has a bed of her own, two children, ages 5 and 7, to play with, a fireplace to warm her belly and an adoring mom.

Weve been having a blast with her already, Mandi Evans, who adopted Kensignton, tells Now Habersham. She loves snuggling on our beds with us and going for walks to explore the neighborhood. Shes already learned to sit and lie down, so were pretty excited about that! Shes super sweet and we just love her so much already!!

Not only are these transports successful, but Connor says they are the best way for Georgia to decrease their homeless animal population. The best defense against homeless animals and euthanasia is, according to Nix, Connor and animal rescue groups around the country, spaying and neutering.

The answer to getting our [pet] population under control there are three things you have, Connor says. Youve got Georgia adoptions, which are never going to solve the problem,youve got spay-neuter, which is very important to get these populations under control and then we have transport or you have euthanasia, take your pick.

Link:

More than 100 Northeast Georgia animals transported to rescues - Now Habersham

San Diego Humane Society is here to support you when the time has come to say goodbye to a cherished pet, a time that can be emotional and overwhelming.

We provide a variety of compassionate services to help you through this difficult time.

San Diego Humane Society provides post-surrender euthanasia services for pet owners at a reduced cost of $50. This service does not include the option of being present during the euthanasia. (note: We do not euthanize healthy pets.)

Owner requested euthanasia can be scheduled by appointment. Please call 619-299-7012 for further information and assistance.

We offer communal cremation for an additional fee.

The following organizations assist with aftercare decisions (cremation/burial). If you have any questions about the program as it relates to San Diego Humane Society, please call619-299-7012during regular business hours.

Recommended Services

West Coast Pet Memorial 8995 Crestmar Pt. San Diego, CA 92121westcoastpetmemorial.com858-909-0009Services: private, individual, communal (at sea) and a viewing chapel.

The loss of a pet is never easy, and having a support system can help you through the healing process. Our Pet Loss Support Group provides an environment where thoughts and emotions can be shared and feelings of grief are understood and validated. It's open to everyone 10 and up, and is appropriate for those who have recently lost a pet, are still mourning an old loss, are anticipating the death of a pet or are preparing for euthanasia.

For more information about our pet loss support services, call 619-299-7012, ext. 2311.

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Humane Euthanasia and After Care Services | San Diego ...

INDIANAPOLIS The Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) has stated that they are dealing with a perfect storm of chaos going on and are in desperate need of any kind of help at their shelter.

Theyre over capacity, have no room to add crates for more animals and even staffing is down by about 20 percent. Staff members said its leading to more stress for everyone, including the animals.

We know as bad as we are right now, if we dont have some movement of animals out of the building and slow animals coming in, we are going to be forced to euthanize more animals, said Katie Trennepohl, the deputy director of IACS.

The only way weve gotten through the last few weeks is because our staff has gone above and beyond what their normal job duties are, everybody in this building has taken on extra tasks, our volunteers have picked up extra shifts, thats the only way were getting the minimum care for these animals done.

Theyre asking people to foster, adopt, volunteer or apply for a position.

Right now, adoptions are free if you donate items from the IACS wish list. If you have animals that you have to surrender, IACS is encouraging alternatives (such as posting and sharing on social media) rather than dropping the animal off at the shelter, as they have had to euthanize animals.

What we really need the public to understand is that when were asking them to make appointments, and were asking them to find alternatives, its not because we dont care, its actually because we dont want animals to die, Trennepohl said. Its a life or death situation right now.

IACS is in critical need of animal control officers, kennel techs, veterinary assistants and kennel supervisors. They are hiring right now.

Its hard coming in and not knowing if the dog you love is going to be there the next day because when were out of space like this, sometimes the only choice is euthanasia so I know that has taken a big hit on our morale, said Morgan Murphy, a vet assistant at IACS. Were so over capacity that its hard on the staff and volunteers emotionally and physically, its a lot more than the shelter was designed for.

Those who wish to help out may do so online. Adoptable pets can be viewed on PetFinder.

Continue reading here:

Indianapolis Animal Care Services in desperate need of help or will have to begin euthanasia - Fox 59

(Pornpak Khunatorn/Getty Images)

Governor Andrew Cuomos New York wasnt the only government that inflicted blatant harm and unnecessary death on elders during during the Covid pandemic. Quebec did too. From the Toronto Sun story:

Systemic ageism, outdated health-care facilities and government reforms contributed to the tragedy that unfolded in the provinces long-term care homes during the first wave of COVID-19, a former Quebec health minister told a coroners inquest on Monday.

Rjean Hbert, who is also a gerontologist, told coroner Ghane Kamel that nearly 10 per cent of the provinces long-term care patients died of COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic a rate five times higher compared to Canada as a whole.

It didnt start with Covid:

Hbert, who served as health minister under former premier Pauline Marois, said that even before the pandemic there was a tendency to shift health-care resources toward other priorities, leading to a lack of doctors and nurses to care for vulnerable seniors in care homes. As a result, the homes were no longer able to provide acute care, forcing them to transfer distressed patients to hospital, which was extremely difficult for those with cognitive impairments, he said.

Hbert also pointed to outdated facilities where patients were subjected to inadequate ventilation and forced to share bedrooms and bathrooms as factors that contributed to Quebecs high mortality rate.

Now, do you think that this clear warning about the threat to elders caused by systemic ageism will be applied as Quebec and the rest of Canada expand access to euthansia among the elderly? Is Putin a friend of Ukraine?

The media will often report in detail and with righteous indignation about varied failings and abuses in health-care systems such as the drumbeat of criticism often seen against HMOs in the states. But these crucial questions are often forgotten once the subject turns to euthanasia.

I call this phenomenon Euthanasia Land, a magical realm of chirping birds and butterflies, where systemic failures in health-care and social policy disappear and life terminations happen only under the most rigorous protective guidelines and by the most deeply caring and compassionate medical personnel.

But Euthanasia Land isnt real. The crises reported in this story have equal impact on doctor-prescribed death as they do lapses in proper care. They are just far less discussed.

Consider the Canadian woman who was euthanized because she didnt want to be lonely during Covid lockdowns. She wasnt allowed family visitors while she was alive, but they were allowed to be with her when her doctor killed her. She wasnt the only such victim, either. A Canadian government study found that hundreds of people who died by euthanasia in 2019 requested death at least in part due to loneliness and isolation.

But none of that stops the death juggernaut. When these horrors are reported, which isnt often, they are soon forgotten.

Would it have been too much for the critics of the elder-care in Quebec and the reporter, for that matter to connect these crucial dots, and thereby open a vital conversation about how these same systemic problems also impact the provision of euthanasia?

Ill bet the thought didnt occur to them because, somehow, it never does.

Excerpt from:

'Systemic Ageism' Blamed for Excess COVID Deaths, Ignored with Euthanasia - National Review

Holiday dog adoptions todaySaturday

Help a furry friend find a new home for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 18, when SAFE Pet Rescue of St. Augustine brings its mobile adoption van to the Ponte Vedra Pet Supermarket store, 880 A1A N.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be lots of fun festivities to enjoy. Take your pets picture with Santa, enjoy some live holiday music by a local guitarist, sample tasty treats at the bake sale, browse some crafty items, sip hot cocoa and best of all meet and greet our wonderful rescue dogs, who hope you will choose one of them to be part of your family this holiday season.

Invite your family, friends and neighbors to these dogs some much needed love while supporting SAFE Pet Rescue in its mission save animals from euthanasia. To learn more, go to Safe-Pet-Rescue-FL.com.

All aboard the Holiday Express Trains, which return to the Beaches Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Leading off this years opening day will be the Hogwarts Express along with the Polar Express. The Polar Express will be running most days along with other historic trains and/or holiday-oriented trains varying throughout the week. This years expanded layout also includes a Polar Express village at one end and an operating carnival at the other end.

The library is located at 600 Third St., Neptune Beach, and the exhibit runs through Friday, Dec. 31. For hours of operation or more information, visit the Locations page at JaxPublicLibrary.org or call (904) 255-2665.

Discover 21 uniquely decorated trees, each with a distinct theme, at this special after-hours event at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which takes place on select days through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Visitors may explore the Keepers House and grounds illuminated by lights and festive garlands, as well as a sensational view of the lighthouses night mark.

Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 12 and under. For more information regarding ticket availability and pricing, visit StAugustineLighthouse.org.

The City of Atlantic Beach hosts monthly exhibits that feature works of photography or paintings by local artists. Meet January's featured artist, Caitlin Flynn, at a reception on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd.

Musical entertainment and refreshments will also be provided.

Flynns contemporary, figurative and landscape paintings will be on display throughout January. A second reception will also take place on Thursday, Jan. 20. Visit coab.us/artgallery, email recreation@coab.us or call (904) 247-5828 for more information.

Enjoy an evening of performances from local artists on Sunday, Jan. 9 as they transform Gulliford Hall at the Adele Grage Cultural Center from 6 to 8 p.m. with original music.

The event is hosted by Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Email atlanticbeachmusic@gmail.com or recreation@coab.us, or call (904) 247-5828, for information.

Want more shade in your yard? Atlantic Beachs newly updated Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances expands the use of tree-conservation funds to plant trees in front yards on private property. These "Adopt-a-Tree" funds come from property owners who pay into the tree-conservation fund, which is earmarked to expand the public tree canopy.

In an effort to evenly distribute the tree-conservation funds, two trees per calendar year, per property may be planted. The plantings will occur in the spring and fall. Once planted, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the trees.

Go to https://bit.ly/3pfGKQM to complete an application for a free tree. City staff will review your requested tree location to determine if there are any site restrictions, which could include overhead or underground utilities, drainage areas and swales, easements, existing tree canopy, etc.

For information, email trees@coab.us.

Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com.

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Holiday choo-choos, a decorated lighthouse, art openings: Things to do around the Beaches - The Florida Times-Union

We have heard families in Scotland describe immense distress as their loved ones died.

We have great respect for their courage and sympathy for their suffering.

How best should we respond?

There is no doubt that it must be with compassion and respect, but introducing state-assisted suicide is not the answer.

Doctors across Scotland are campaigning for improved access to, funding and research in specialist palliative care for these people, while opposing doctor-assisted suicide.

Currently the law prohibits the intentional taking of life.

Why? Because of the high value and worth that we traditionally place on all human life.

The primary danger of assisted suicide is that individuals are devalued by society because they require care or are unproductive.

Societal values affect how we see ourselves as individuals with worth and dignity, or as a burden?

Dr Wright was recently contacted by a frail elderly man urging her to oppose this measure.

He said: I will begin to think I ought to take my own life.

Why should the state keep paying for my care?

If you give me the option, perhaps it would be less selfish to those I love for me to take my own life.

Healthcare professionals need to affirm his value and worth, not acquiesce that his life is no longer worth living.

Its hard enough to detect external coercion in an interview, this kind of internal coercion will be both more common and more difficult to deal with.

The current law is the safeguard, and for their sake it should remain.

Many countries who have legalised assisted suicide have found the criteria slowly widening.

In Belgium, their Intensive Care society now recommends euthanasia without request for those unlikely to fully recover.

One study found that half of cases of euthanasia there were not reported, and happened without the formal protections.

In Holland, euthanasia without request has extended to disabled babies and people with intellectual disabilities.

Every psychiatrist has experienced having to fight for life-extending treatments for our patients, who are often assumed to have little quality of life, often without the patients view being requested.

Former US President Thomas Jefferson wrote: The measure of a society is how it treats is weakest members.

The benefits of any change will be felt by those who are educated, articulate and empowered.

The costs fall on those who are the most vulnerable, who are confused, the frail elderly or those who have intellectual disabilities.

The current law is the safeguard, and for their sake it should remain.

Dr Gillian Wright is a palliative care specialist and director of Our Duty of Care, which represents healthcare professionals opposing the legalisation of assisted dying in Scotland.

Dr Jenny Bryden is a psychiatrist who previously worked at the Royal Cornhill Hospital.

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OPINION: 'Introducing state-assisted suicide is not the answer' - Press and Journal

San Diego Community News Group

San Diego Humane Society is hoping its largest year-end matching gift challenge ever, theHoliday Drive to Save Lives, will inspire San Diegans to support the organizations lifesaving work this season. Thanks to a generous $500,000 match from the Resource Partners Foundation, donations made to San Diego Humane Society through Dec. 31 will be doubled to provide twice the safe shelter, lifesaving veterinary care and rescue from cruelty and neglect for more than 40,000 animals in the coming year.

The funds raised during the Holiday Drive to Save Lives make it possible for San Diego Humane Society to provide care that goes far beyond that found in traditional shelters including advanced veterinary medicine, a Kitten Nursery and a Behavior and Training program. These programs help San Diego County Stay at Zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable shelter animals, and give pets like Poki, the dog pictured above, the second chance they deserve.

Poki was relinquished to San Diego Humane Society in April of 2021 by a family who bought him as a puppy on Craigslist and was unable to care for him. San Diego Humane Societys team immediately recognized that Poki showed resource guarding behaviors and was fearful of people. Poki would hide in his crate and growl, asking trainers to stay away, said Amanda Kowalski, San Diego Humane Society Director of Behavior programs. The dedicated trainers and animal caregivers at our state-of-the-art Behavior Center worked with Poki daily for four months, helping him overcome his behavioral challenges and be ready for life in a loving home.

In communities that cant offer the appropriate behavioral support, many dogs like Poki face the heartbreaking possibility of euthanasia, said Brian Daugherty, San Diego Humane Society SVP and chief of philanthropy and communications. Thats why our Behavior and Training program is such an important part of how we save lives. And its why our Holiday Drive to Save Lives is so important. Poki is a perfect example of the specialized care we can provide animals at San Diego Humane Society because of the generosity of our community.

The $500,000 match from the Resource Partners Foundation is the largest match San Diego Humane Society has ever had. To donate and double your contribution, visitsdhmane.org/matchingor textholidaydrive to 50155 before Dec. 31.

See more here:

SDHS Holiday Drive to Save Lives: year-end matching challenge - San Diego Humane Society is hoping its largest year-end matching gift challenge ever...

We said goodbye to a beloved 17-year-old dog this week. She had rapidly lost quality of life. As sad as it was, few would have any qualms whatsoever with the vets provision of humane, painless, and sensible euthanasia. But whats going on with medical interventions at the great miracle of birth?

Its no secret that humans commonly push the boundaries of scientific possibility for better or for worse. Traditionally, interruptions in the natural birthing process have been overwhelmingly in the for better category.

Caesarean sections may not have been a desirable option for women prior to the advent of modern surgical techniques uterine suturing, for example not to mention anesthesia. But in the modern era, there can be no doubt that for countless millions of mothers and babies, the C section has saved their lives.

Whats questionable now are the projections. And concerns about C sections are just the start.

A report in the British Medical Journal Global Health states, by 2030, 28.5% of women worldwide will give birth by CS (38million caesareans annually). That figure ranges wildly from place to place, with rates as low as 7.1% in sub-Saharan Africa and as high as 63.4 percent in Eastern Asia.

In some parts of Africa rates are skyrocketing. For instance, between 2017 and 2020, data on payouts made to Kenyan hospitals as compensation for birth-related services showed an almost 10,000 percent increase for C sections.

The safety of mother and child is the right rationale for decision making. A Caesarean might be planned to mitigate problem pregnancies, or become an urgent procedure if labour is not progressing and mother or baby is in distress.

A natural birth is the better option for healthy pregnancies. The risks of heavier bleeding, infection, blood clots, surgical errors, and higher complication rates for future pregnancies are part of the story. Slower recovery times after C sections combine with delays in establishing breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact.

The benefits of kangaroo care to the newborn include greater respiratory, temperature, and glucose stability, as well as decreased stress. Mothers and fathers who hold their newborns skin to skin after birth have increased parental attachment, more confidence in caring for their babies and longer breastfeeding duration.

Yet, with one in four births now being Caesarian sections, there is mounting evidence that the medical rational is being overtaken by a convenience factor. Some doctors report being pressured by patients for C sections for unjustified reasons for example, to plan the day of the birth to coincide with a relatives birthday or to avoid a holiday. Some patients give in to the convenience of doctors schedules.

But these issues are childs play compared to those at the forefront of scientific advances involving birth. Artificial wombs are in development. A study published in Nature Communications in 2017 demonstrated the use of a liquid-filled, plastic apparatus allowing premature lambs an additional four weeks of growth in a simulated womb.

It is only a matter of time. The definition of ectogenesis, the development of an embryo in an artificial environment, used to include the caveat chiefly in science fiction. But artificial wombs are a rapidly advancing technology that will change the nature of mammalian reproduction, we humans included.

Parents wondering about the future employment prospects of their children might want to direct them to the study of ethics. We still have time to think this through and put in place a set of rules. But it is a lot easier today to find pioneering scientists than thoughtful ethicists.

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Harvard Medical School. For more than 40 years, he specialized in gynecology, devoting his practice to the formative issues of womens health.

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Common Sense Health: A look at the changing nature of birth - The Independent

By Cheng Ming-hsiang and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer

The number of strays dying in Taipeis animal shelters has increased over the past two years, despite a ban on euthanasia, said a source on Sunday, who called on Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je () to address the situation.

Last year, deaths among stray animals in shelters reached a four-year high of 6.01 percent and as of October the figure was 4.38 percent, the source said.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang () said that the deaths were partially attributable to aging.

Photo courtesy of Taipei City Councilor Yang Ching-yu

The city has added adoption relay stations and has planned renovations at existing stations, Huang said, adding that the facilities would be doubled in size.

The city since 2019 has planned to renovate its main animal shelter, the Taipei Animal Protection Office, on Tanmei Street in Neihu District () and build a new 3,400 ping (11,240m2) facility, the source said.

However, due to Kos concern that the NT$700 million (US$25.18 million) required to build the new facility as well as NT$200 million for waste management was too expensive, the plans have stalled, the source said.

Because Ko has shifted back and forth on his animal shelter policy, city shelters are getting crowded, creating a bad environment for the animals, the source said. Last year more than 200 strays died in the citys shelters.

The animal euthanasia ban went into effect in 2017 and the following year the number of strays that died in shelters increased by 3.91 percent, the source said, adding that the proportion has been increasing each year since then.

The number of strays at the Tanmei facility is already double its intended capacity, Taipei City Councilor Yang Ching-yu () said. Five to seven dogs share each pen.

There are also multiple cats in each cage lining the hallways, Yang said.

Yang, who is a trained vet, said that the animals would be distressed, fearing that they would need to compete for food.

The situation would worsen if the city does not expand the facilities, he said.

At least 2,900 ping is needed, he said, adding that the city should build a multifunction facility where animals could be trained and the public could be educated about pet adoption.

Taiwan Animal Protection Monitor Network secretary-general Ho Tsung-hsun () said that Taipei should follow the lead of other cities, such as Tainan, which neuters strays and promotes pet adoption, and New Taipei City, which trains strays as working dogs.

Taipei has the most resources, so it should find opportunities to help promote proper care of animals, Ho said.

Promoting adoption through the Taipei City Animal Protection Office alone would be ineffective, he said, adding that Ko should find better solutions to boost adoption rates.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

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Deaths of strays in Taipei shelters have risen, critic says -