Homes Needed by 3/10!
Dogs in Taiwan who need foster or foster-to-adopt homes secured to make the next flight

The 2009 flooding in Taiwan

Special Case Example

Rescued & Adopted

ART'S Visit to WA

Animal Rescue Team- Taiwan

A Cooperative Effort of Kindred Souls Around the World
By Kelly Nelson, President

Kindred Souls Foundation was introduced to Animal Rescue Team Taiwan  in January 2008 by Ginger Luke of Ginger's Pet Rescue. KSF was asked to take two dogs that Ginger was unable to take herself. Bringing in dogs from out of the country seemed a little odd in the beginning- after all, we have many local dogs in need of homes. Intrigued by the request, I began investigating what an overseas rescue would entail- on all levels.

I first received the files of both dogs and about fell out of my chair when I read about ChiChi's life on the street in Taiwan. The pictures that accompanied her file were so horrifying that it took me a moment to compose myself and then fully examine the photos and read the history. Maxx was not a street dog, but rather an abandoned dog whose leg had been injured. Maxx's and ChiChi's future was bleak. Without an overseas rescue group willing to take them, both dogs would be turned back to the streets only to suffer further neglect and abuse.

The animal abuse cases in Taiwan are beyond comprehension. Hot oil is poured on the dogs faces and backs, rubber bands placed on the neck cut deep into the flesh causing a slow, painful death, and dogs are caught in crude metal traps and then left to bleed to death. Dogs are drown alive, exposed to disease for which they receive no treatment, and are dropped into ditches so deep they cannot get out, eventually dying of starvation.

The founder of ART is Joseph Nee, a retired school teacher, who is the lead on all physical rescues. Joseph is assisted by his devoted wife, Maggie Chen, a school teacher who handles the coordination of the rescues from the beginning to the end. ART is an amazing group of people who work tirelessly to save dogs everyday. In a country where most people do not value the life of a dog, this small group of animal advocates risks their lives everyday to save them. Some of the dogs appear to be beyond saving and yet, miraculously, ART brings them back from the brink of death.

After fully investigating ART, to include talking with other state-side rescuers with whom they had worked, I contacted our Board Advisors, Dr. Ann Marie Thiessen and Dr. Jackie Obando, to get their professional advice. I then consulted other veterinarians and the Center for Disease Control. After thorough discussions with all, KSF agreed to take Maxx and ChiChi. The overall experience was incredibly rewarding and we continue our relationship today.

Dogs from Taiwan are quite unique. So much so, they do not profile at all like our local rescue dogs. They fill a profile we do not often see in our local rescues. They tend to be smaller in size and have smaller frames than the dogs we see here. It is rare that we receive rescue dogs who are small (under 25lbs) or who are small and not over the age of 8 yrs. Therefore, the Taiwanese dogs do not "compete" with the local rescues for whom we take in.

Working with ART to save dogs requires an enormous amount of time and energy on behalf of our volunteers and doctors. Once a case is referred to us it has to be fully reviewed by our Intake Lead, doctors and, in some cases, other specialists. Translations are often required and cultural influences must also be considered. A full medical profile is presented to our doctors and then a treatment plan is drafted. Sometimes the treatment plan has to be adjusted once the dog arrives to us. It is a full-on collaborative effort that only finds success with a committed team of people.



Kindred Souls Foundation was created with the idea that like-minded people would find each other, come together, and protect and save animals. Our relationship with Animal Rescue Team Taiwan is a shining example of how that works.