Chris Barden, an American living in Beijing, has been, with the help of volunteers, rescuing the city’s many stray dogs. His Little Adoption Shop currently has 135 dogs and 17 cats that need fostering or adopting.
Chris moved to China in 1998 after university and working for many years as a translator. But in 2011 that all changed when he took responsibility for 30 dogs that had been found in a truck heading to a restaurant. After that, Chris began to devote his whole time to rescuing and caring for the numerous stray dogs that roam Beijing.
In order to cover the cost of all the welfare these animals need Chris has spent all his savings and is now in debt. It costs, all in all 500,000 RMB a year to look after these dogs; most of the costs are paid for by donations.
Despite often having to live off instant noodles, Chris’ main concern is what will happen if more dogs arrive.
Source: news.ifeng.com
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Keywords: rescuing Beijing’s stray dogs: Little Adoption Shop
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Well done Chris! If I lived in Beijing I would certainly give some of my time to help!
Nov 30, 2013 15:04 Report Abuse
I am an animal rescuer myself and volunteer for 3 animal rescue groups in Shanghai, and I can completely relate to the feelings and struggles that Chris Barden experiences every day. Personally I do not think he is a "loser" at all, and I think it is very easy for some people to pass judgment when they have to clue what they are talking about and have no experience whatsoever in the field of animal rescue in China (where there is no government support, no law against animal cruelty, no funding, etc). Personally I am sorry that Chris has lost all his savings, but at the end it is "his money" so he is free to do whatever he wants with it (which is better than "drink it", "smoke it", "party it", etc ... as some expats do every day and night).
Nov 29, 2013 14:42 Report Abuse
This guy is a loser plain and simple. When you forgo your primary responsibilities of taking care of yourself, you become a loser.
Nov 27, 2013 22:17 Report Abuse
Wow wow... Why so much hate?... some people give their lifes for something they think is right, that doesn´t mean they are losers. even if he is, you´re not the one who decide that. haha be cool.
Nov 28, 2013 02:11 Report Abuse
Well, since the primary responsibility of taking care of yourself is something that is mainly your own personal concern, it's not the place of a stranger to pass judgement, is it? Or do you feel that everyone who doesn't shower 3x/day and walk around in a monkey suit is some form of inferior life? "You are so fashion." as the Chinese would say. ;) Do you mean loser as a petty insult, or do you mean that he is losing his money? Many people devote their fortunes to animal welfare in the West. I find it admirable, but I won't follow in their footsteps. The way Chinese treat animals is indicative of how they are likely to treat humans, too. There is lots of room for improvement there, though sadly I think this guy's approach is doomed to fail in China.
Nov 28, 2013 09:59 Report Abuse
Why dogs? Cats are seen as useless and annoying, plus with their tendency to climb and explore, they are more easily killed by farmer's-mentality neighbours that see them as pests on their property. Maybe those 17 were the only living stray cats he could find. A brave and idealistic guy, that Chris. Although his actions are just a drop on a hot plate, I'm sure the intentiuon is to make a statement about animal welfare. Chinese are eager to copy technologies and physical things from the west, but when it comes to issues of habits and morality, they don't take kindly to any form of criticism. As benevolent as Barden's actions may be, it can still be construed as an outsider passing judgement upon Chinese values, and will be met with the appropriate kneejerk reactions. Remember that the Chinese belief in their cultural superiority is absolute. This kind of action will be cast aside as crazy, misguided or irrelevant. Excuse my pessimism in this regard, but only governments have any hope of influencing how locals treat animals.
Nov 27, 2013 17:34 Report Abuse
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