A diplomatic officer from the Thailand Trade and Economic Office spends a moment with a dog during the visit, expressing hope that it will soon find a new home.

On October 2, 2025, eight envoys from Malaysia, Austria, Hungary, Thailand, and Brunei visited the Ruifang Animal Shelter in New Taipei City. The visitors received a briefing on the city's animal welfare initiatives and spent time interacting with the animals, experiencing firsthand the warmth and emotional connection they bring. The visit also offered valuable insight into New Taipei City's animal protection policies, which place strong emphasis on the intrinsic value of life and the bond between humans and animals. The visit deepened the visitors’ understanding of Taiwan's culture and embodied the spirit of “Love Knows No Boundaries.” It also showcased New Taipei City's leading approach to animal protection to the international community.

According to the Director General of the Secretariat of New Taipei City Juh Hui-mei, the Secretariat worked with the New Taipei City Government Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office to invite envoys in Taiwan to visit the Ruifang Animal Shelter to promote the city's key policy achievements to the international community. Ruifang District Office Head Yang Sheng-ming accompanied representatives from Malaysia, Austria, Hungary, Thailand, and Brunei on the tour of the shelter, which aligns with international standards in animal care. Juh expressed hope that the firsthand experience will garner greater recognition and visibility on the global stage for New Taipei City's accomplishments in animal protection.


Director General of the Secretariat Juh Hui-mei, Deputy Commissioner of the Agriculture Bureau Liu Shu-fen, and Ruifang District Office Head Yang Sheng-ming join envoys from the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre, Hungarian Trade Office Taipei, Austrian Office Taipei, Thailand Trade and Economic Office, and Brunei Darussalam Trade and Tourism Office in Taipei for a group photo.

During the visit, the guests engaged in in-depth discussions on animal welfare and the relevant legislation in various countries. For example, Malaysia enacted the Animal Welfare Act 2015; Austria passed the Federal Act on Animal Welfare in 2005, which includes regulations on pet ownership responsibilities and registration; and in the United States, adopters must be at least 18 years old and undergo an interview with shelter staff to ensure suitability—an approach similar to that of New Taipei City. During their visit to the shelter, the guests were delighted to find the dogs calm, friendly, and well-adjusted, which contrasted with the common perception of stray animals. They praised the shelter's staff and volunteers for their long-standing commitment to animal care.


Liu Shu-fen, Deputy Commissioner of the Agriculture Bureau, presents New Taipei–grown tea to a diplomatic officer from the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre.


A diplomatic officer from the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre shares a tender moment with a cat during the visit to the Ruifang Animal Shelter.

Liu Shu-fen, Deputy Commissioner of the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau, conveyed appreciation to the envoys for their meaningful participation in the visit. The New Taipei City Government has been actively promoting the concept of a "Compassionate City for Animals." In addition to continuously improving shelter facilities, the city also advocates the principle of "Adopt, Don't Abandon" while strengthening spay and neuter programs for stray dogs and cats and enhancing community education. Collectively, these initiatives form a comprehensive animal welfare framework. Presently, all eight animal shelters in New Taipei are undergoing renovation and upgrades to improve facility standards and align with international best practices. The Ruifang Animal Shelter, designed with animal well-being as a fundamental principle, offers a comfortable environment for the animals. In addition, it provides visitors with the opportunity to experience the city's commitment to harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. Over the long term, New Taipei City has also fostered an animal-friendly culture centered on respect for life through volunteer engagement, civic participation, and public education initiatives. The city implements a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to manage stray animal populations and collaborates with veterinary clinics and pet businesses to establish “Adoption Corners.” Through incentive programs such as the Adoption Gift Package and the Golafu (Dogs Bring Prosperity) initiative, adoption rates have exceeded 90 percent, helping more than 4,000 animals find loving homes each year, an achievement that left a strong impression on the visiting guests.

The New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office emphasized that enhancing shelter conditions is paramount to ensuring animal welfare. The office also noted that international exchanges offer significant opportunities for the sharing of new ideas and fostering collaboration. The visit by the envoys not only recognized the city's ongoing efforts but also brought greater international attention to the Ruifang Animal Shelter and the city's animal protection policies, showcasing Taiwan's commitment and growing influence in the field of animal welfare.


Diplomatic officers from the Hungarian Trade Office Taipei (right), Thailand Trade and Economic Office (second from right), and Austrian Office Taipei (second from left) pose for a group photo.