Walk past the row of pet stores on Anhe Road in Taipei’s Xinyi District, and you’ll be greeted by the sight of cages upon cages of the current fashionable breeds of cats and dogs. Those that aren’t sold while young, cute and desirable, face an uncertain future. Some may be abandoned outright, given up for a life on the unforgiving streets. The females among them could wind up being used as virtual breeding machines, useful only so long as they can keep churning out the next profitable litter, confined for the rest of their miserable days to horrifically but accurately named “rape stands.”
All of this takes place despite the fact that around the country, kill shelters are filled to the hilt with animals available freely for adoption — animals that are put to sleep if they are not adopted within 12 days of their capture. Such are just a few of the grim tenets of the pets-for-profit industry in Taiwan.
The situation is slowly changing for the better, however, thanks in large part to animal rights advocacy groups such as Animals Taiwan (台灣動物協會). Chairperson Liza Milne, active in the organization for nearly a decade, has long been a part of the fight not only to protect Taiwan’s pet population, but to educate the public on what it means to be a responsible pet owner.
Photo Courtesy of Kenny Paul
“Things are progressing in Taiwan and I feel the local community has come a long way,” she says of the progress being made. “Many people are now adopting animals instead of buying and they are also responsibly chipping, spaying and neutering their animals.”
DRAG QUEENS AND CONTORTIONISTS FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS
Among Milne’s many responsibilities for Animals Taiwan is the arduous task of fundraising for the non-profit organization. Recently, she was approached with the idea of doing a calendar featuring the bold and beautiful bodies and personalities of Taiwan’s music, arts and animal rights scenes. Milne not only jumped at the chance, but also got in front of photographer Kenny Paul’s lens herself for the December page.
“The whole day was fantastic,” says Milne of the shoot. “Everyone involved was so energetic and enthusiastic about doing this calendar. They all gave up their entire day to come out and help.”
Another featured model in the calendar is drag performer Magnolia La Manga, also active in performing for animal rights charities for about a decade. For La Manga, having such a diverse group of people come together for the cause is the calendar’s main virtue.
“The fact that there are drag queens in the calendar and at the launch party is just one aspect of using a slightly different hook to raise money for Animals Taiwan. Indeed, with dogs, drag queens, hunky mechanics and hot babes, the calender’s inclusiveness is its main selling point — there is something for everyone in it.”
Contortionist, model and dancer Samantha Denise also posed for the calendar. For her, the most important point is that the upcoming release party, at which she will also perform, will not be a one-off. Animal rights issues need to stay in the public eye, and she is one of the dedicated few who will make sure they do. In fact, she already has a few fundraising shows planned.
“The people who run the organization, all of the volunteers, the crazy performers and the dogs who benefit from it have become so important to me,” she adds.
■ Animals Taiwan Calendar Drop is Sunday 4pm to 9pm at Xanadu Taipei, 2F, 3, Ln 10, Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北市成都路10巷3號2樓). Guests can pick up a calendar and stay for a variety of musical and other exotic performances. Admission is free and all proceeds go to Animals Taiwan.
What was the population of Taiwan when the first Negritos arrived? In 500BC? The 1st century? The 18th? These questions are important, because they can contextualize the number of babies born last month, 6,523, to all the people on Taiwan, indigenous and colonial alike. That figure represents a year on year drop of 3,884 babies, prefiguring total births under 90,000 for the year. It also represents the 26th straight month of deaths exceeding births. Why isn’t this a bigger crisis? Because we don’t experience it. Instead, what we experience is a growing and more diverse population. POPULATION What is Taiwan’s actual population?
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