On November 21st, the Xinwu Stray Dogs Not Alone Facebook page posted five photographs
with the caption:
"She always stretches her hand any way she can when volunteers pass by, hoping to have some contact with us."
The way the little one yearns to be loved is heartbreaking. The owner of the Facebook page is a volunteer photographer at Taoyuan Xinwu Shelter.
Through the lens, documenting the animals in the shelter, after five months of service, at the beginning when not yet familiar, she would take over 1,500 photos a day. Now it's reduced to 700-900 photos a day. "It's not because I'm missing focus, but sometimes I want to capture that feeling," hoping the animals in the photos will show a certain artistic sentiment.
Before photographing, the volunteer first "communicates" with the animals, telling them "show me what you want me to see, and I'll photograph it for everyone to see." Xinwu Shelter mainly houses young puppies. The volunteer's wish is to let people feel how cute adopting them could be. However, some dogs' expressions aren't happy, so they can only capture them as they are.
Some animals have wandered the streets, while others were "brought in specifically." Yet regardless of where they came from, they all "need a home now." The volunteer says "these past few days, the weather has been cold and damp, and even her hand felt freezing cold when I held it."
The "she" in her mouth has a name matching her fur color — "Little Gabi."
▽Your gentleness is still vivid as yesterday, and reaching out feels like I could touch you.
Little Gabi likely belongs to the breed naturally short-haired or hairless dogs, needing warmth, but because she's "disadvantaged," she can't compete for food and is malnourished. So she was moved to an outdoor metal cage. The downside of outdoor metal cages is they're too ventilated and exposed to rain, which can make her body condition increasingly frail.
The temporary shelter's newly purchased outdoor metal cages are used solely as individual recovery areas for malnourished dogs, protection from food-guarding dogs, and isolation zones for dogs that actively attack other dogs.
Related reading: Xinwu Shelter Overcrowded...Strays Fight Over Food, Biting Till Blood Covers Their Faces
Sometimes, looking at these dogs, I sigh "perhaps you'll spend your whole lives here, but I'll still tell them — I'll photograph you. Even if you can't leave, I want people to know: your story, that you existed." the volunteer says.
▽Five dogs crammed in a space the size of two tatami mats — food-guarding, fighting for food, biting, injuries. A no-kill policy — is the government really ready?
Is there any chance for her (them) to hold onto a hand that will keep her warm forever....?
A few brief lines of plea express the "yearning" of all stray animals. Giving them a home isn't difficult.
【Taoyuan Xinwu Shelter】
Address: No. 117, Daniu Lane 3, Yongxing Village, Xinwu District, Taoyuan City 32744 Phone: (03)486-1760 Fax: (03)486-1765 Adoption viewing and free visits: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10:00-12:00, 13:30-15:30. (Closed Wednesdays and national holidays) Searching for lost, claiming, found, or abandoned dogs/cats: Monday-Sunday, 10:00-12:00, 13:30-15:30. (Closed Wednesdays and national holidays)
▽Xinwu Stray Dogs Not Alone Facebook page — there are many animals there in need of help.
