Taiwan is opening the first government unit with the sole focus of improving the welfare of pets and animals. That’s because pets are becoming more and more popular in Taiwan - two out of seven households own one.
Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung said in a Facebook post that this new unit will create at least 100 positions and have an annual budget of NT$130 million (nearly US$5 million). It will monitor and manage trends in the pet industry such as pet insurance, grooming, food, training, and pet-sitting.
Chen says that Taiwan needs to have a department like this because the country’s pet industry is worth about NT$50 billion (nearly 2 billion USD) per year. Over two million households own pets in Taiwan.
The department will also inspect the ethics of animal performances and educate the public about the potential danger in raising animals that are invasive species in Taiwan. It will list the types of pets that need special approval or are illegal. (MORE)
It’s clear that advocating for pets is an increasingly important issue for the millions of pet owners in Taiwan. After all, these furry and feathered friends are more like family members to their owners, and they deserve to have the government’s protection.