TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) on Sunday inaugurated the Ruifang Animal Shelter, a new facility designed to boost animal welfare and adoptions.
The shelter features a two-story building with a reception area for one-on-one encounters with dogs and cats up for public adoption.
Drawing inspiration from overseas animal shelters and input from a local architecture firm, Hou said the new facility is as beautiful as a church and offers world-class amenities, per UDN.
Built on the site of a former shelter demolished in 2021, the NT$126 million (US$3.9 million) complex can house 150 dogs and cats at a time and aims to facilitate up to 1,000 adoptions annually.
US animal shelter architect Heather Lewis and staff from the Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were consulted during the design process. The two floors include administrative offices, a reception area, a cattery, a kennel, an adoption interaction zone, and a sports field.
Hou said the shelter is located in a lush natural setting with bright, transparent architecture. He added that shelters are the foundation of animal protection and welfare and expressed hope that the facility would become a new benchmark for Taiwan.
Lu Yu-lun (呂幼綸), Taiwan representative of the World Dog Alliance, praised the environment, noting that the facility features independent routes for incoming dogs and cats and offers transportation and adoption support services.
Lu said that better facilities help improve the physical and mental well-being of animals and boost the chances of successful adoption.
