Taipei City Government

As Taiwan enters an aging society, pets have become an important source of emotional support for many seniors. When elderly individuals living alone require medical care due to illness, the care of their companion animals often become their greatest concern. Since 2025, the Taipei City Animal Protection Office has collaborated with the Department of Social Welfare to establish an animal-friendly emergency placement mechanism within the social safety net. To date, this initiative has assisted four solitary seniors in receiving medical care with peace of mind and has successfully facilitated the adoption of six unattended companion animals into new homes.

The Animal Protection Office stated that seniors living alone, often without the companionship of family or friends, commonly regard their pets as family members. When illness occurs, concerns over pets being left unattended may lead some seniors to delay seeking medical care, and in some cases even impact personal safety and require emergency treatment, thereby placing pets at risk of being left alone at home or involuntarily abandoned. 

In 2025, the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare coordinated with the Animal Protection Office to establish a “Pet Placement for Solitary Seniors During Absence from Home” mechanism. Through frontline social workers who assess individual situations, arrangements can be made to address pet placement needs. By utilizing the Animal Protection Office’s 1959 Animal Protection Hotline, social workers can assist in ensuring pets are properly placed prior to seniors being admitted for medical treatment 

As of the end of 2025, the Animal Protection Office has arranged placement for four dogs and two cats at Taipei Animal Shelters. Among them, a cat named “Mi Bao” was successfully adopted in 2025 and has begun a new life. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, the Animal Protection Office also promoted an adoptable dog, “Lai Fu.” Following a referral by a social worker, Lai Fu was urgently placed at a Taipei Animal Shelter after the original owner became critically ill and was no longer able to provide care. Having prior experience in a home environment, Lai Fu has a stable and gentle temperament, interacts well with caregivers, and becomes affectionate once familiar—often seeking attention and companionship. Whether for outdoor walks or companionship at home, Lai Fu is a considerate and devoted companion. With the New Year, welcoming Lai Fu into a new home symbolizes “good fortune arriving and blessings following,” bringing warmth and well wishes to the family.

The Animal Protection Office reminds the public that during the Lunar New Year holiday, Taipei Animal Shelters will be closed to visitors from Lunar New Year’s Eve (February 15) through the third day of the New Year (February 19). Members of the public who wish to visit or complete adoption procedures are requested to take note of the shelter opening schedule.

In addition, when traveling with pets during the holiday period, whether returning to hometowns or going on outings, owners should ensure pets are securely leashed and remain attentive to the surrounding environment to prevent pets from being startled by festive noises such as firecrackers and drums, which may lead to pets getting lost.

For information on adoptable dogs and cats or lost pets, the public may visit the Taipei Animal Shelter  Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tcapo.tas?locale=zh_TW) or the national Animal Shelter Management System (https://www.pet.gov.tw/AnimalApp/AnnounceMent_Announce.aspx).