"Everybody says I'm a nut case." Aunt Liang is a retired automobile mechanic turned animal lover.(Guangzhou Daily)
"Paradise" has a dozen rooms, each about 30-100 sqm and commonly home to 20-50 cats or dogs. (Guangzhou Daily)
Hidden amidst a four hectare litchi forest in Baiyun district, "Paradise" is a very unique animal shelter which has saved thousands of cats and dogs since it opened a decade ago. Supported uniquely by donations, the shelter costs 20,000 RMB to run per month and employs five caretakers and a vet. Thanks to a great number of animal lovers, they have built a true "home" for mistreated or abandoned pets.
Guangzhou animal enthusiasts
At the end of a long and winding path, a sanctuary is hidden. No signs or information can been seen and it would be impossible to guess what is hidden behind the thick iron gates if it wasn't for the sounds of mews and barks.
"Paradise" has a dozen rooms, each about 30-100 sqm and commonly home to 20-50 cats or dogs. Each room has a sleeping area, an activity area with toys, and a place with food and water. The thousands of the cats and dogs are raised separately according to size and race.
The sanctuary also employs five workers 24 hours a day, cleaning the rooms and feeding the animals. There is even a vet providing medical treatment. "The upkeep is about 20,000-30,000 yuan per month" the doctor explains, "and the funds are provided by a group of animal enthusiasts."
Behind "Paradise"
Running the shelter is a group of discreet animal enthusiasts. One of the core members of the organization, Aunt Liang, accepted to speak to us: "It is difficult to say exactly how many people work in our organization," explains Aunt Liang, "but full-time members such as myself, can be contacted if ever someone knows of an animal being mistreated or having been abandoned."
The group is made up of both young and elder people. "We collect abandoned cats and dogs and send them to paradise." Aunt Liang added, "The funds are mostly provided by Miss Fang, who has a better financial situation. For us, we contribute labor and a symbolic amount of money."
The location of "paradise" has moved several times in the last decade. "We received many complaints against us in the former village we were located in," explains Aunt Liang, "once villagers even brought bricks to force us to leave." Today, their location is secret and shall remain that way.
Salvage combat in the night
Aunt Liang frequently works at night when most of the animals are abandoned. "At night, with few people in the streets, it's convenient to abandon a cat. Luckily, it's also easier for us to rescue them at that time." At night, taxi drivers are willing to pick up people holding a cat or a dog, which they would usually refuse in the day time.
"Most pets we find are disabled, sick or mistreated," says Aunt Liang, and she knows how to distinguish those who actually need help. "A glance is often enough. The cats and dogs in need will follow me whilst the others will stand their ground or leave."
Fighting to stop abuse
"Not long ago, I found three shepherd dogs in front of the golf course near Luhu Lake. They had a terrible skin disease and the owner kept kicking them to prevent them from returning to his house," said Aunt Liang, "so we took them to the vet. Unfortunately only one of them survived, and we spent about 8,000 yuan saving it."
"Actually the money was offered by Miss Hong, an elevator sales woman", explains Aunt Liang, "she is very independent and loves cats and dogs. Though she can not visit them much, she did provide us with the emergency money."
A life commitment
"Everybody says I'm a nut case." Aunt Liang is a retired automobile mechanic turned animal lover. Her life is dedicated to the animals, giving almost her entire 2,000 yuan retirement pension to the center since she started working their five years ago.
Her devotion was not understood by her family and led to a divorce. Even her son studying in England doesn't understand. "But I have no regrets at all," says Aunt Liang, "I feel very happy every time a cat or dog is rescued. And I can't stand seeing animal being mistreated." Though often working alone, Aunt Liang says it isn't a lonely task. "I have a lot of companions and more and more young people are starting to work with us."
(By Robert Wang, David Keyton)
HOME
The Locals
Lifeofguangzhou's New Version