YIN Yi- The Guardian of Stray Cats

75304109

http://mp42.china.com.cn/video_tide/video/2019/10/24/201910241571906325151_408.mp4

According to rough estimates by World Animal Protection, there are about 600 million stray animals in the world, most of which are cats and dogs. 

Aunt Wu's cat home is in a basement. photo credit to: Zhang Ruomeng

Stray animals largely result from irresponsible owners abandoning their pets and endless reproduction in the absence of neutering. Stray cats are better survivors than stray dogs and therefore bigger in number. In China, there are stray cats in many cities.

According to the Report on the Living Conditions of Stray Cats in Beijing released by the Capital Animal Welfare Association in 2017, as of late December 2016, there were about 200,000 stray cats in Beijing alone, with an average life expectancy of less than 3 years due to their poor living environment.

Fat Orange grew fat after coming here. photo credit to: Zhang Ruomeng

Without a comprehensive Urban Stray Animal Management Law in place, how to deal with stray cats has always been a highly controversial social issue in China. Those who are sympathetic to the plight of stray cats want to help them through various means, like setting up fixed community feeding stations.

The volunteers treating the wounded stray cat. photo credit to: Zhang Ruomeng

Internationally, the most effective practice in helping stray cats is via the Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) method. Many famous tourist sites in Beijing, including Xiangshan Park, the Botanical Gardens and the Summer Palace all have their own TNR projects up and running.

Yin yi feeding his favorite stray cat, Yiyi. photo credit to: Zhang Ruomeng

In Beijing, there is a special basement that houses nearly 100 stray cats rescued through the TNR projects across the neighborhood. They are too weak to survive in the outside world if set free. Yin Yi, a doctoral candidate and a 90's baby, is a volunteer at this stray cat home. Since his first visit in 2016, he has been volunteering here on a daily basis, doing whatever he can to look after the stray cats that used to wander the streets.

Executive Producer   Wang Xiaohui

Production Supervisor   Xue Lisheng

Co-production Supervisor   Dai Fan

Associate Producer   Zhang Ruomeng

Director&Editor   Luo Lansudan

Videographer  Fang Xiaoqi  Luo Lansudan

Presented by China.org.cn