Many stray cats wandering the streets of Shanghai have been fortunate enough to be rescued by a rescue company over the past five years.
Rescue workers saving stray cats on Shanghai’s highways. (Video: Xinhua)
Recently, an account named “Shanghai Cat Rescue Team” has captured the attention of many internet users in China. This rescue team is actually the towing team of Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd. They have been operating on the city’s highways for over 10 years, dealing with the aftermath of vehicle accidents or breakdowns.
Since 2018, the company has collaborated with the Shanghai Road Traffic Center, traffic police, and local pet associations to establish a process for rescuing stray cats. As of March 2023, they have mobilized over 8,000 staff members along with 3,900 rescue vehicles, successfully rescuing more than 1,800 stray cats from the highways in Shanghai.
“When we first started, we had no experience. We would catch cats by hand without any protective gear. Whenever we approached, they would often run away. Many people got scratched and bitten. Gradually, we equipped ourselves with tools like net bags, bite-proof gloves, and even cat cages,” said Yu Bin, a staff member from Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd.
The rescue team posts information about stray cats for those looking to adopt. (Photo: Xinhua)
After being rescued, the stray cats are taken to veterinary facilities for health checks. Subsequently, the rescue team shares their information on social media to find adoptive families.
A local resident named Feng Jia adopted two stray cats, and now, they are considered members of her family. Feng regularly shares pictures of them, which has helped her friends learn about the “stray cat rescue team” on the highways of Shanghai.
