There is a time to let go of our beloved pets

Pets in China. It's a complex issue. China's pet industry has boomed over the last decade. Social media platforms have dedicated pages for playful, silly, adorable animals. There are luxury pet hotels, and groomers who will pamper your pooch or pussy for a cost comparable to any human hotel. Depending on the time of year, people walk their dogs in sweaters to keep them warm in winter, or in booties to protect their paws from hot pavements. My co-workers speak with affection about their cats and have stories about how "naughty" they are (cats, am I right?).

For all the love people have for their pets in China, there is a more difficult side. The most sensational is the infamous "dog meat market" in South China. As a Westerner, I balked at the idea of anyone eating dog or cat meat when I first heard about it. However, in times of famine or extreme poverty, food is food, at the end of the day. I can't fault anyone for that. I do believe, however, that life in China has evolved past such a necessity and the practice can and should be phased out.

More egregious in my mind, are the lack of nationwide animal protection laws and protocols regulating or imposing penalties for animal abuse, mistreatment, overbreeding, abandonment, etc. What laws do exist are only in select counties and are more geared toward epidemic and disease prevention, rather than animal welfare. I, myself, yelled and cried at a man who I saw harshly kicking his small dog. There was no one to report him to and, no doubt, the dog will continue to be abused. It is heartbreaking. Indeed, there was a lot of public outcry recently in China, when pets of people taken for quarantine were cruelly killed by COVID-19 prevention workers. Many animal advocates stressed the need for humane pet protocols related to pandemic control. To my knowledge, nothing formal has been put in place.

While China's pet protection laws are in the process of catching up with Western counterparts, I must applaud the bighearted, hardworking animal lovers here. Pet rescue organizations are run mainly by volunteers, often at their own expense with little public or government funding. Small, independent groups are everywhere on WeChat, trying to find foster homes for strays and flight volunteers to reunite pets with their humans who have had to leave China. It is difficult work, to be sure, but the compassion is inspiring.

I had my own experience with such compassion over this last year. My 17.5-year-old cat, Darcy, became very ill. She had kidney failure and over the course of the year developed digestive issues, as well as cancer. Needless to say, we were in and out of vet hospitals for a good portion of the year. At the vet's, everyone is equal. People in the waiting room huddle with their dog or cat, trying to comfort them (no pet likes the vet!). And every human looks around and we compliment one another on the cuteness of our pet. In fact, I met someone who is now a good friend of mine at the vet's, when both our cats were sick and needing regular treatments.

When it came time for me to let my cat go last week, the veterinarian and staff were incredibly gracious. They allowed me time to cry, gave my cat and me a room alone to say goodbye, assured me this was the most compassionate decision (after having fully presented me all the information). I am so very grateful for the people here to love and advocate for animal welfare.