Negligence and abandonment of animals at the hands of abusive owners is the issue. But there exists in Nanjing a safe haven where they can rest and recuperate before being adopted by a loving family.
Dr. Suzanne and Orik Szampanier used to work at a dog shelter and rescue cats in the local area, however, they really wanted to establish their own sanctuary and be able to help a wider range of animals. Since they founded “Furry Friends” over 2 years ago, they have looked after and rehomed more than 100 animals.
Furry Friends has also collaborated with a variety of schools, including The British School of Nanjing, Nanjing International School and Nanjing Hankai Academy, to educate students on the importance of animals and their wellbeing. Students from these schools have helped her animals feel more comfortable around humans by feeding and walking them. At times, the students have also helped train the dogs and built kennels to enrich their lives.
Reminiscing about her upbringing, Suzanne mentions that as a child, she had varied pets, ranging from cats and dogs to less-conventional iguanas and birds. With her passion for animal rescue coming primarily from her father, she remembers him as someone very compassionate towards the animal kingdom. With him rescuing creatures and involving the family in the rehabilitation process, this was the first time she was taught about the significance of the flora and fauna surrounding her. And thus her childhood undoubtedly influenced her perception of the world.
At the dog shelter where she used to volunteer before establishing her own organisation, Suzanne was horrified of the mistreatment and abuse of the animals as well as the appalling conditions in which they lived. This is what provoked her to start her own pet-rescue association, where she could treat animals the way they should and deserved to be treated.
When I asked her what she thought made animals “special” and distinct from human beings, Suzanne described them as “beacons of love” that exclusively transmit “innocence” and “purity”, the precise opposite of the humans who have abused them. That which fulfils her the most and what she is most proud of is seeing the animals in her sanctuary slowly regain their trust in humans.
That may be by them simply approaching you unafraid and letting you pet them, despite the trauma and harm they’ve experienced at our hands.
Pets are amazing beings as they show unconditional love to us on a daily basis; we can learn a lot from them to strengthen our own relationships in life.
Suzanne said, “Each rescue has its own set of challenges”. Some animals when they arrive at her sanctuary are at death’s door and in need of life-saving surgery and blood transfusions, plus a lengthy period of recovery, undeniably costing an exorbitant amount of money.
Each animal needs to go through a series of medical protocols, including rehabilitation, vaccination and neutering, in order to be put up for adoption. The animals will also be given some training in order to be able to adapt to life in a family.
Suzanne has lived in China for 22 years, yet she didn’t have any idea how animals were truly being treated until she established her rescue centre. Hence her passion for educating people how to treat animals correctly.
China’s dog and cat meat trade has been going on for decades. While the tradition of eating dogs in some provinces may have started during periods of famine when it was one of the only options for survival, unfortunately, it has continued in more-prosperous times.
Each year thousands of dogs and cats are stolen and loaded onto trucks, crammed in overcrowded cages, left without food or water for days on end and illegally driven to the meat market.
Hence, emphasising the importance of opposing sale of animal online which support the puppy mills is extremely important and a worldwide movement. The animals sold online often come from a horrific environment and possibly carry disease.
The Szampaniers’ work is admirable, aspiring us to do better when it comes to promoting the well-being of the animals in our care as well as the ones which aren’t. Instead of ignoring the dog or cat you saw on lying by the side of the road and hoping for the best, take action! You will be not only helping the animal, but also yourself, while encouraging others to do the same.
