LCO Taiwan

In January this year I visited Taiwan as a guest of the Life Caring and Animal Rescue Organisation Taiwan.

LCO is the largest animal welfare organisation in Taiwan and has shelters and staff throughout Taiwan Island. They provide a 24 hour service for animal cruelty incidents as well as injured and sick stray animals. From their HQ in an industrial area just outside Taipei they run a fleet of rescue vehicles , a mobile neutering clinic as well as a team of senior staff charged with investigating cruelty.

They also have at least 4 shelters split roughly North and South as well as two offices which double as mini shelters.

Apart from animal cruelty one of the main problems in Taiwan is the indiscriminate use of 'gin' or leg hold traps which are freely available in most hardware stores. These traps which are pretty crude locally made affairs cause immense pain and suffering to the stray animals and along with road accidents contribute to a large population of 3 legged dogs and cats.

Whilst I was there they organised a 'White Rose Parade' to lobby the government to improve animal welfare legislation. Lots of supporters and their pets attended and the day was a huge success.

Top (Above) Gin Traps and dog that had been deliberately blinded by juvenile being displayed during White Rose event, Middle - LCO vehicles arranged at event , Bottom - Senior LCO staff in Taipei.
Above - traps on wall outside LCO HQ Taipei.

At White Rose Event - Can't understand why I needed my own personal External Affairs Police Officer keeping tabs on me all day !! (Not like I look dodgy or anything)

Fundraising at a night market in Kaohsiung. (Above)

Dog shelter near Kaohsiung.(Above)
Newly built shelter near Tainan. (Above)

LCO have some very high tech equipment including hand held fiber optic camera's, GPS units and real time satellite tracking of all rescue vehicles. Response vehicles also have on board cameras and carry rescue equipment including dart pistols and blowpipes.

Animal Police and Animal Rescue Taiwan style.


Unfortunately LCO do not have an English language website yet but it is on the way. A very impressive animal welfare organisation and one many in the region can only aspire to emulate.