New Taipei opens Taiwan's first long-term care facility for shelter animals

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) Taiwan's first long-term care facility for cats and dogs opened Friday in New Taipei's Zhonghe District, as part of the city's efforts to repurpose public animal shelters into animal care and medical facilities.

At the opening ceremony, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) was introduced to the facility's new equipment, including aquatic therapy treadmills and yoga balls.

Hou said the facility, which was converted from Zhonghe's animal shelter, marked a milestone in the city's animal care policies.

Like humans, pets also grow old and get sick, Hou said, urging owners to properly care for aging pets as they develop physical or behavioral problems.

Hou said New Taipei will work with veterinarians to provide free monthly health and physical therapy classes.

Animals adopted from the long-term care list at New Taipei's public animal shelters will also be eligible for free lifelong veterinary care at public shelters or clinics overseen by the city's Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office, he said.

The office said the Zhonghe facility has been fitted with an outdoor exercise area and physical therapy equipment.

Because the facility is now a long-term care center rather than a shelter, its kennel space has also been redesigned to make it easier for dogs with limited mobility to move around, the office said.

Its lighting and interior design will also allow animals with physical disabilities to get sunlight and see outdoors, the office added.

The complex won Taiwan's Chinese Architectural Golden Stone Award in 2024 and the FIABCI-Taiwan Real Estate Excellence Awards in 2025, the office said.

New Taipei currently cares for nearly 1,200 cats and dogs at its eight public animal shelters, according to the office.

Several shelters in the city have already added specialized animal care facilities under New Taipei's shelter repurposing program.

For example, the shelter in Sanzhi District added an emergency injury response center in March, while the Banqiao shelter is set to establish what the city says will be Taiwan's first demonstration area for a cat-friendly environment.