Category: Urgent Appeals

NEW BEGINNINGS in San Francisco

6/16/2019

By Tim Gorski

For all the PACK supporters who donated to Jack and Jill and Angel’s journeys to their new forever homes, this shoutout goes to you. A resounding THANK YOU! After eight long years, Jack and Jill, the beloved Border Collie siblings PACK Sanctuary rescued as pups, are finally off to a fresh new start in loving homes. Despite extensive efforts, PACK staff and volunteers couldn’t find good homes for these sweet dogs in Taiwan, so we sent them with our friends AHAN (Angels for Humans and Animals) to meet their new families. AHAN specializes in adopting Taiwan dogs to Californians. And they are good at it.

Kevin and his new Collies

But isn't a sanctuary perfect for dogs, one would ask.

Does a life confined and cramped, in the harsh Taiwan climate, without free mobility or bonding enrichment sound perfect?

I don't believe so. We provide the best care we can within our means, but in captivity, with little human interaction, dogs literally go insane, similar to human prisoners locked in cells. I’ve seen it first hand all too often, in all species. They develop stereotypic habits out of frustration, like pacing or head bobbing, and can become depressed or even aggressive, almost feral. We even lost two dogs to cobra attacks recently. The word "sanctuary" implies peace and safety. A jungle "sanctuary" on a mountain is anything but peaceful and safe when it's overcrowded and understaffed.

Our care standards rate high compared to most shelters in Asia. Yet still, animals fade without ample exercise or attention. With euthanasia outlawed and no comprehensive government spay/neuter protocol, shelters like ours are literally bursting at the seams and strapped for cash. We need to get them out. And California seems our best option until Taiwanese develop a better appreciation of their dogs

I met the dogs at the SFO airport, on June 12, with AHAN and the adopters, to make sure all went well. They arrived safely, and with a third dog, Angel, a three-legged victim of a car accident. Roads are quite dangerous in Taiwan. She is PACK’s mascot and illustrated in our logo. Sadly we have 29 other dogs that are disabled or missing limbs from car accidents and fierce leg hold traps and wires snares, illegal in Taiwan but still highly used.

This day is bittersweet for PACK. I have fostered Angel in my home. She’s a Dingo through and through. We healed her wounds and trained the street dog out of her. She’s a real lover now. In fact, staff and volunteers have cared for these three dogs since puppyhood, and love them as their own. The Collies are deeply bonded siblings, so we are overjoyed to see them re-homed together. But we will miss them dearly.

Jack, Jill and Angel — our “Three Amigos”— have attended countless adoption events in Taipei. They’ve undergone household training, socializing workshops, even Dr. Dog training. PACK’s clinic makes sure they are up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention. We also do blood work before adopting them out to make sure our dogs have a clean bill of health before leaving.

And now they graduate to new lives with wonderful adoptive families in San Francisco. Their life goals, to run, play and cuddle with a dry roof, a warm bed, and homemade organic meals, are finally a reality.

“We were looking to adopt a pair,” says Kevin, Jack and Jill's new father. “Our rescue dog Seamus died recently and we were just waiting for the right opportunity. Viola! A friend shared the post for Jack and Jill on AHAN’s website and we knew it was a match. What luck.”

“We are older now, says Kevin's wife, Kate. We didn’t want to raise puppies again but we need dogs in our lives. They are the epitome of unconditional love and companionship. I mean look around this house. The dogs have a better sofa than we do, and a private entrance of their own to the back yard.”

“The stars were aligned this time," I told Kevin. " It is not luck. It was fate."

In Taiwan it is very difficult to adopt out shelter dogs. Everyone seems to want “purebreds.” Huskies, or short-legged Corgis, long-haired Chihuahuas and miniature Dachshunds. Even Mastiffs are popular… until the novelty wears off. Now Taiwan has Mastiff rescue groups. “Purebreds” are the companion animal of choice, even though genetically designed dogs (often inbred) suffer bone/joint deformities, respiratory disorders and weak immune systems.

Sadly, the culture here, largely ignores its own history and heritage, the deep human/animal bonds with the Taiwan mountain dog or Tugou for the more fashionable Pug accessory.

Related to the Dingo, and migrating with humans from SE Asia some 4000 years ago many of Taiwan’s so-called “street dogs” possess the oldest dog genes in the world. Angel is one of those special dogs but she was even more difficult to adopt out as she only has three legs.

At present, in Taiwan, PACK Sanctuary cares for roughly 400 dogs and cats with just 6 staff on call each day. It’s a monumental task just providing basic care for the animals. Most came from the streets, in constant pursuit of food and refuge. They are shadows amid daily life, living by the riverside in motley packs. Some are puppy mill rejects, dumped by unscrupulous breeders. Others are dumped by pet-shop consumers, animals who’ve outgrown their novelty.

Some 60 government and private shelters registered in Taiwan operate under a two-year old ban on all euthanasia. Sadly, dogs pay the price for this noble gesture. Quality of life declines for 35,000+ dogs crammed in shelters across the tiny island nation.

With domestic adoption rates so low, we are forced to seek overseas help from countries that have more space and deeper human/animal bonds. Fortunately, we found a lifeline. AHAN, a nonprofit run by American/Taiwanese staff and volunteers in San Francisco, re-homes Taiwan’s dogs to California. And they do it well. The NPO has already matched several PACK pooches with wonderful adoptive families.

“We are so happy to be helping PACK,” says Vicky, “AHAN’s CEO. We could tell in our first visit to PACK shelter that you really needed help. We were worried that many of PACK dogs have flea and tick borne diseases but after the blood tests came up negative, we knew it would work out.”

I must say, I was reluctant at first as well. Ten years ago I would not have even considered sending Asian dogs to the USA. But the United States euthanizes far less animals than it did in the past and the shelters in northern USA are actually quite empty compared to Taiwan’s. AHAN vets their adopters well; they go through rigorous home checks because neither AHAN nor PACK can afford returns. So, I trust them to place our dogs in proper homes.

Welcome to your new loving forever homes Jack and Jill and Angel. It has been a long time coming.

Siblings Jack & Jill enjoying their new couch

For all our supporters that helped make these new bonds possible, please continue to support our efforts to adopt our dogs to homes overseas. This is an ongoing project and campaign and it’s not cheap. Each overseas adoption costs us more than $600 USD. But each adoption saves a life and saves us overhead so we can sustain our operations.

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Tim Gorski says goodbye to two of his favorite dogs

Tim Gorski

CEO: PACK Sanctuary, career animal rescuer, animal rights filmmaker, cruelty investigator

Angel on her new sundeck

PACK狗狗在舊金山展開全新生活

獻給所有捐助Jack， Jill 和 Angel三隻狗狗境外送養的PACK支持者！因為您，三隻狗狗已順利抵達美國，開始享受愜意幸福後半生。在此代表毛孩大力向您鞠躬！ Jack 和 Jill兩隻邊境牡羊犬從還是幼犬時由PACK救援後，在園區等家將近三千個日子！這對兄妹終於在第八年等到善緣，一起在愛滿滿的美國家庭開始新的生活。

PACK同仁和志工幾年來努力推廣臺灣境內送養，然而，乖狗狗從幼年等到壯年仍乏人問津，送養之路極為波折。

很多人不禁想說「庇護所不就是最合適毛孩的歸屬嗎？」

試問，當一個「庇護所」的位置在北臺灣夏季極濕熱、冬季極溼冷的山區，動物們生活在一個個受到侷限的籠舍空間，無法隨時自由進出，外加數百隻狗時不時群吠四起，甚至沒有很多與人互動社交的環境，這聽起來像非常合適毛孩的最終歸屬？

我不這麼認為。PACK盡可能用我們有限的資源提供毛孩醫療照護，但狗狗在花園與籠舍內並無法獲得充分與人類互動社交的機會。關籠久了，毛孩會逐漸失去理智，就像監獄裡的犯人一般。無論是何種動物，我親眼目睹太多動物因在受侷限的空間生活太久而出現精神問題的案例。毛孩因在籠舍內太久而出現由負面情緒產生的習慣性模式化行為，例如沮喪或焦慮導致毛孩不斷來回走動、繞圈圈、頭部快速擺動，最終導致憂鬱甚至產生兇蠻之攻擊行為。「庇護所」這個詞本有祥和、安全之義，然而，一個過度飽和，救援數量超載的園區，其空間與照護人力皆達到緊繃狀態，這種超量負荷已經難以維持「庇護所」本該提供的祥和甚至安全。

即便我們努力提升PACK園區照護水平，與亞洲區許多收容所相比，我們獲得許多正向肯定，然而，一直以來面對資金匱乏與人力短缺，實在很難持續給予每一隻毛孩足夠的運動、豐富的關注及大量與人社交互動的機會。臺灣零安樂上路後，政府無配套進行固定區域大規模抓紮，我們這樣的收容所面臨的問題就是安置數量已達飽和上限，一切物力人力都超出負荷。面臨每月資金與人力短缺的窘境，我們的當務之急就是送養毛孩。由於狗狗長年面臨臺灣境內送養困難，我們決定拓展至美國加州，給狗狗們更多獲得真愛的機會。

6月12日，我到舊金山機場與夥伴單位AHAN和毛孩的領養人一起幫此行的狗狗們接機。Jack, Jill以及與他們同行的Angel都安全抵達，順利入關。 Angel 因為車禍而被救援，她的左前肢嚴重撕裂，最終只好截肢。雖然剩三隻腳，Angel 活動力可未受影響，總是帶給大家非常多歡樂！我們組織更是以Angel為Logo。無奈的是，PACK目前仍照顧著另外29隻因車禍癱瘓或慘遭非法捕獸夾斷腳的狗狗們。我們需要您持續贊助，如此PACK才能不間斷提供照護直到狗狗們等到家。

這一天百感交集，不捨卻又開心。我曾經中途照顧過Angel，她是非常道地的臺灣犬。 PACK工作人員和志工從這些狗狗年輕時就開始照顧他們，愛他們就像愛自己的狗狗一樣。兩隻牧羊犬兄妹自小生活在一起，感情十分親密，這次非常高興看到Jack和Jill進入同一個領養家庭。 PACK大夥會非常想念他們的。

Jack, Jill and Angel 我們三隻狗寶貝，參加過台北的無數次的送養活動。他們經歷了居家訓練，社會化訓練，Angel甚至參與過狗醫生的基礎訓練課程。 PACK狗園醫務室更確認狗狗送養前皆注射疫苗、進行除蟲和防蟲措施。境外送養前更需做全套血液檢查，確認全部指數為陰性，健康無感染才得以離境。

現在，Jack, Jill 和Angel從PACK「畢業」，在舊金山領養家庭找到真愛。他們的生活目標，包括跑步，玩耍和很多關愛摸摸。乾燥的房間，舒適的沙發和家人烹煮的有機鮮食，終於實現。

Jack和Jill新家的爸爸Kevin說:「我們當初就想好要一次領養兩隻狗狗。」「之前領養的獲救犬Seamus往生後，我們就一直在等待下一個緣分。剛好一個朋友分享了AHAN網頁給我們，Jack和Jill就在首頁; 細讀它們的資料後發現正是我們要找的狗狗！真是太幸運了！」

Kevin的妻子Kate說：「我們現在也有點年紀了，實在不想再養幼犬，但我們希望生命中仍有狗狗無條件的愛和陪伴。你看，我們家這樣的居住環境，狗狗們用的沙發比我們的好，它們甚至有自己專用的通道，可自行進出後院。」

「今晚的星星想必是排成了同一列！」我跟Kevin說。「這應該不是單純的巧合，而是命中註定的緣分吧！」

臺灣的收容所在送養狗狗時面臨到非常多的困境。每個人都想要「品種犬」：哈士奇，短腿柯基，長毛吉娃娃、迷你臘腸狗...。甚至連高山獒犬也很有買氣...直到新鮮感和熱潮消退，結果，衍生成獒犬救援組織的出現。「品種犬」往往是民眾選擇陪伴犬的首選，即便這些狗的基因被繁殖業者操弄，近親交配，多半患有骨骼/關節畸形，呼吸系統疾病和免疫系統等各類基因缺陷和健康問題。

可惜的是，許多臺灣民眾在伴侶動物的選擇上，寧願選擇甚至購買其認為流行時尚的外來品種犬，如巴哥、法鬥、柴犬、柯基、貴賓、哈士奇...而忽視臺灣犬或大家熟知的土狗在這塊土地與歷史演進脈絡中，與人類共處友好的情誼。

PACK Sanctuary在臺灣照護400多隻動物，有狗、貓和豬。因金費關係，目前每日平均僅6位同仁在園區提供動物飲食醫護、維持環境衛生，照護任務繁瑣不易。動物多來自街頭，很多是飢餓已久骨瘦如柴，遊走路邊尋覓食物和庇護。許多車禍或捕獸夾夾傷。有時一群狗狗聚集在河邊，等待援助。有的是繁殖場棄養，因為基因缺陷或傷病，被不肖繁殖者棄置路邊。有的是民眾在寵物店購買後因為無能力再飼養，或無法面對動物基因缺陷導致的健康問題而棄置。許多只因成犬之後飼主覺的不可愛或狗太大不好飼養而遭遺棄。

Angel and her new mum, Susan

臺灣公私立有案登記的動物收容所總共超過六十個，零安樂政策上路已經兩年了。可悲的是，狗因為零安樂這看似非常人道的政策付出慘痛代價。在臺灣這個小島國家，收容所超收問題嚴重，僅臺灣三十幾間公立收容所，每年平均收容量將近三萬五千隻，毛孩擠狹小有限的生活空間，何談生活品質？

PACK面對臺灣極低的領養率以及超收問題，我們不得不從有更多空間和人狗關係更加友善的國家尋求幫助。幸運的是，我們找到了一線希望。 AHAN是一個位於舊金山的非營利組織，協助臺灣狗狗，媒合海外合適的領養家庭，支持我們境外送養犬隻。 AHAN這個非營利組織此次成功媒合好幾隻PACK狗狗，進入很棒的領養家庭。

PACK Volunteer, Stella, prepares Angel for flight

「我們很高興能幫助PACK」，AHAN的執行長Vivian表示。「第一次訪問PACK的收容場所時，AHAN就知道PACK非常需要幫助。我們起初非常擔心PACK園區的狗狗血液會受到跳蚤和壁虱等害蟲感染，所幸此行送養狗狗的血液報告結果為陰性，我們知道一定有機會送養成功。」

老實講，一開始我也不是非常情願。十年前，我是不會考慮將亞洲的狗送往美國的，十年前美國收容所動物安樂死的數量比目前高出許多，而現在美國動物安樂死的程度遠低於過去，加上近日實際查訪美國東北部收容所，發現其收容所與臺灣相比只有空蕩蕩能夠形容。透過AHAN嚴格把關，審核領養申請人，完成非常嚴謹的家訪和前置準備。我們知道，AHAN和PACK在一個個生命的境外送養，承受不起一點差錯。所以，我相信AHAN能夠幫狗狗找到最好的歸屬。

Jack and Jill on a walk in San Francisco

Jack, Jill 和Angel, 海外新家非常歡迎你們喔！長年的等待終於值了!

感謝一直以來幫助我們完成這些工作的天使贊助人，請持續支持PACK狗狗境外送養計畫。我們會持續努力執行，媒合更多狗狗，送養海外家庭，但由於過程所費不貲，需要您持續出手相助。所有境外送養耗費美金六百元，台幣近兩萬元。一旦媒合成功，幫狗狗找到合適的領養人，我們才真正成功救援了一個生命！也唯獨持續不斷推動海內外送養，PACK才能舒緩當前動物飽和狀態，更永續營運下去！

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PUPPY TALES- PACK NEWS BLOG

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PUPPY TALES- PACK NEWS BLOG

​部落格

saving pepsi: part 2

NEW BEGINNINGS in San Francisco

Tim Gorski

medical appeal

Archives

Categories

部落格