Photo provided by the author
DREAM GOES ON
But they did not give up just yet.
Yang Yang, who worked in Public Relations for high-end clientel, insisted that a bit of class was what they needed to market their brand, and with a better known brand, they would be able to generate greater social influence.
"It was never about how many dogs and cats we could help find a home to live; it is all about a loving way of being and of living, which could be still strange to some people", she pointed out.
On November the 27th, 2016, Beijing Adoption Day celebrated their fifth anniversary alongside the 46th edition of their on-line event at the Wanda Mall of Tongzhou District, attracting thousands of visitors who were given the chance to have a close, personal contact with the adorable animals to be adopted; many brought their young children, and even more signed up for adoptive family qualification.
"What we try to do here, as you can see, is to show people how lovely the rescued animals are, to cultivate their affection for our furry friends and to promote the way of being that could bring joy and happiness to a whole family: To love an animal, and to be loved back", said Chen Jia.
On the other hand, BAD manages a fund from the donations and charity sales to pay for sterilization surgeries of stray animals while publicizing the TNR method (trapping, neutering and returning) to control the population of stray animals.
Baicha, famous comic writer and creator of a hugely popular cartoon Cat Wuhuang (My Imperial Majesty in Chinese), was present at the event and called for love and caring for the rescued strays.
"I truly admire these guys for I believe what they are doing is a - although very hard as well - noble cause", said Baicha to Xinhuanet reporter. "I would love to do all I can to be part of it".
"By adopting companion animals from the rescued strays, we can foresee that more and more people will be encouraged to join us in protecting animal, and when we consider the animals as family members, the animal welfare will be improved undoubtedly", said a volunteer of the charity group.
"Actually, when people came to ask me how to help, I always tell them that to adopt animals and care for them is the best way to put an end the illegal meat industry, and to stop animal cruelty that happens inside the puppy and kitten mills where so-called pure breeds were created artificially in order for the shameless humans to make a profit", she said.
Including famous actresses like Sun Li and Gao Yuanyuan, many Chinese celebrities have shown support to BAD's cause. "We are proud that we have been casting a positive influence on people, and things have been changing towards a promising direction", said Yang Yang, who call herself and her friends "dreamers" in a tone of cheer.
And their dream passes on. The "Beijing Adoption Day" model has been copied in 23 Chinese cities and districts, where similar activities are held regularly, inviting people to adopt a new way of living with a gift of love.
"We wish that every life on this planet could be treated with tenderness", concluded the activist.
By Luan Xiang
