Editor’s Note: The below information is accurate as of April 16, 2020. Given current circumstances, this information may change at any time. Please visit the Chan Chao Taipei Pets Show website for the latest news on show status.
Taiwan's biggest annual pet show and government-led pet care programs are pushing through as planned even though coronavirus restrictions are still in place throughout the self-governing island.
Taiwan's effective handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, characterized by its early intervention that has kept infection rates low, has organizers of the 2020 Chan Chao Taipei Pets Show confident that they can still safely stage the event from July 10–13.
“Our exhibition will be held on schedule without being affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said show organizers on their website. “With the utmost care, we will secure the highest possible safety standards for all the organized exhibitions and keep track of the notices published by the government’s announcements. If there are any changes, it will (be) updated on our official website and Facebook fans page.”
In 2019, the show attracted 180,000 visitors, 35% of whom said they were there to directly buy pet food, learn about industry trends and discover new pet products.
Taiwan government looking out for shelter pets
While many pets and shelter animals are being negatively affected by community lockdown measures around the world, in Taiwan the government is doing its best to have them adopted by throwing in free pet insurance benefits.
A project of the Taipei City Animal Protection Office, the free insurance program is open to those who would adopt dogs or cats aged 7 years or older. The program would benefit at least 100 vaccinated senior dogs and cats in shelters around the country. Each adopted animal is insured for a certain amount to cover medical bills, owner liability and pet funeral costs for one year. For adopters, this means more money to spend on pet food and other pet essentials.
Those who can't adopt can still contribute to the program by ordering pet food online to be delivered to animal shelters and rescue groups.
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of April 16, 2020, Taiwan had 395 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with six fatalities.
