For decades, North Shore Animal League America has rescued and found loving adoptive homes for nearly one million companion animals. Animals from traditional shelters that are overcrowded, unwanted litters, and dogs and cats whose owners can no longer care for them make up the great majority of the League's lifesaving efforts. Nearly all of these homeless animals come from the United States. But occasionally needy dogs and cats call out to us from across the ocean or from other continents.
Most recently and for the first time ever, the call came from China. North Shore Animal League America and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) united to find homes for 30 dogs rescued from an overcrowded shelter in Beijing, China.
Several breeds such as Basset Hound, German Shepherd, and Dalmatian are legally banned in Beijing and prior to arriving here, had no chance at adoption. Two other breeds, Pekingese and Shih-Tzu, are so common in China that potential adopters routinely wouldn't adopt them.
Dike, a Beauceron mix, was one of the fortunate dogs who came from Beijing to North Shore Animal League America and was adopted by a loving family. Dike's previous owner was a farmer. Dike suffered from several diseases because of his poor living conditions and surroundings. Dike was dying when shelter staff in Beijing found him. He was very thin and his previous owner couldn't afford to take him to the vet. Once at the Beijing shelter, he received medical treatment and now he is in good, healthy condition. Dike is a playful dog and loves being with people. Dike and the other 29 dogs from Beijing who were once destined to live out their lives in a shelter, now have a second chance at a better life.
Although most of the dogs have been adopted, one of the Beijing dogs is still awaiting his forever home. Click here to view Ladeng. |
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