Petopia International

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx7wd3x420o

★ ✰ Blocked By Censors, China's Animal Lovers Take Fight Against Abuse Offline And Overseas ✰ ★

When videos showing the horrific killing of a stray dog and her puppies sparked outrage on the Chinese internet in June, Beijing's censorship machine kicked into action.

But what was unusual this time was that it pitted the shocked and angry voices against authorities who said they were concerned about the four boys involved, all of them younger than 14.

China's Communist Party regime tightly controls media and the internet to suppress criticism of the state and to manage public anger. But in this case authorities cited the age of the boys as they urged people to withhold their comments and scrubbed social media posts about the incident.

"We urge the public not to disseminate related information, to reject cyberbullying, and to work together to create a good environment for the growth of minors," reads an official statement.

But the restrictions only seemed to spur the outcry. China's animal lovers have now taken their fight offline and abroad, even putting up billboards in New York to drum up support.

In China, posts about the incident are still drawing thousands of comments across social media, three weeks after the incident. There is shock, anger and sorrow, as well as demands for laws against animal cruelty, which China currently does not have.

Disturbing footage showing the boys in the city of Jieyang, Guangdong province, hitting three puppies with sticks before setting their mother on fire emerged online at the end of June. The boys were seen laughing as the dog, named Wang Wang, burned.

Jieyang authorities said last month that the boys be sent to a "specialised school", but did not elaborate. Under Chinese law, minors under 16 do not face criminal liability except in the case of major crimes like murder and r**e.

Some reports suggest the boys filmed themselves and uploaded the video online, but police have not commented on that. Censors have tried to block the video to protect the boys' identity, although some people argue that it should stay.

Their identities have not been revealed, but snippets of the video with their faces visible continue to circulate online. There are also unverified posts claiming to be close-ups of the boys' faces, raising the risk of other children being wrongly identified.

Countries around the world restrict information about child offenders or set a high bar for identifying them.

For instance, media coverage and public access to juvenile court documents are often restricted to minimise psychological harm caused by undue publicity.

In this case, Chinese authorities have not completely banned the discussion yet.

Keywords such as "Wang Wang" and "animal protection" came up as trending search terms on Monday, but posts related to them started to disappear towards the end of this week. Some users have also reported that their ability to share others' posts has been restricted.

It is hard to say if the deleted or restricted content had named or identified any of the four boys. Officials have not said anything more on the matter.

Posts by several celebrities, including Chinese actor Du Jiang and Taiwanese actress Joe Chen, who had called for China to strengthen protection for animals also disappeared. But it's unclear if these were taken down by the celebrities themselves.

Chinese users have refused to back down though, with some turning to advocates abroad to air Wang Wang's plight.

It is hard to say why this, of all the sensitive issues that are censored in China, has galvanised such pushback.

Part of the reason could be that it's the latest in a string of animal abuse cases that have made headlines recently. And the footage seems to have had a visceral impact. Animal lover PL tells BBC Chinese she found it "affecting in a particularly severe way".

"We can't make our voices heard, so many people [outside China] are actively helping us to share this message," the woman in eastern China says.

The International Organisation for Animal Protection based in Italy says it has received more than 100 reports from people across the world, calling for the organisation to intervene. It added that it had sought more information from Chinese authorities.

In New York City's Times Square, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world, photographs of Wang Wang come up on a gigantic digital screen every 35 minutes.

One of the captions reads: "She was loved. She wanted to live. She should still be here." Similar billboards have been put up on a building near Taipei 101, an iconic 101-floor skyscr**er in Taiwan. This one includes a picture of Wang Wang nursing her puppies. "This planet is their home too. Justice for Wang Wang," the caption reads.

CK, a Taiwanese woman who spent NT$30,000 ($930; £692) putting up the billboard, says she hopes it can foster "a sense of unity".

"It makes everyone feel like we're speaking out together on this issue, rather than airing our individual opinions online," she tells BBC Chinese. CK has also set up accounts on platforms like Reddit and X to share the animals' plight.

"The world need to know about the cruelty these dogs have been subject to," CK says, adding that she couldn't sleep or eat properly for days after seeing a clip of the brutal killing.

Elara, another Taiwanese woman, used AI to translate a summary of the incident into more than 10 languages, such as Japanese, Portuguese and Russian, which have been circulated online.

Residents in Hong Kong and Macau have raised funds to put up posters on buses and trains.

Within mainland China, the debate continues, with much of the conversation centred around creating awareness to demand laws against animal cruelty.

A striking cartoon of Wang Wang and her puppies caught the eye of many football fans during a domestic game at a stadium in Dalian on Saturday. "Every life deserves respect and kindness," read the cartoon that was displayed on a huge screen before the game.

Homegrown businesses, such as beauty brand Amortals and streetwear label Wah Yan Ching Nin, have also placed ads outside shopping malls across the country, calling for an end to animal abuse.

Stickers and car decals featuring Wang Wang and her puppies have also been put up for sale on China's largest e-commerce platform Taobao.

Some of these efforts have met roadblocks. Wan Jia Li, a mall in the city of Changsha, was reportedly instructed to remove billboards featuring Wang Wang.

"We can't do animal-protection billboards anymore... My boss told me so. I'm not sure if the notice came from the government, or why we have been asked to take them down," an employee in the mall's management team told the BBC.

Still, people have continued to rally online.

"Let's keep posting. Don't let the heat of discussion cool down," reads a comment on Weibo.

"Constantly speaking up does not mean disturbing social order. [We're doing this] to let more people see it and realise it's such an important thing that we do not mistreat animals," reads another. ❣️

China's animal lovers take fight against abuse offline and overseas The killing of a dog and her puppies in Guangdong has sparked outrage inside and outside the country.

★ Thank You For Believing In Petopia ✫ 2026/2027 ✫ 16th Anniversary Photo Booth ★ ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ

♥♥♥ Jyu has been a Very Important Pooch @ Petopia since May 2024! ♥♥♥

Sixteen years is not a milestone we mark for its own sake.

It is something built — over time, with YOU.

🐾

Behind every arrival, every small step forward, every quiet moment of reassurance is TRUST.

Given, again and again, by families who have allowed us to be part of their furbies’ lives.

🐾

This photo backdrop is not simply a place to capture a moment.

It reflects a community — one that has grown with us, shaped us, and held us to a higher standard.

Each presence here carries a story.

Of patience. Of belief. Of care that continues beyond what is seen.

🐾

To our fur parents:

Thank you for choosing us — not just once, but over time.

For trusting us with the moments that matter, and the ones that may seem trivial, but are not.

For allowing us the time to observe, to understand, and to care in ways that are often not mentioned, but intended.

🐾

Your trust has shaped how we work.

To go beyond what we notice.
More deliberate in how we respond.
More committed to extra steps for desired outcomes.

🐾

Sixteen years on, what remains constant is this:

Care is not always visible.
But it is always considered.

🐾

To engage hearts.
To empower bonds.
To enrich lives.

Not as statements —
but as something we continue to work towards, with you.

🐾

This marks a MOMENT.
The journey continues — TOGETHER.

✯ ✯ ✯ A Pawsitively Special Thank You — From Our Hearts ✯ ✯ ✯

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

＊ Photography @ Petopia 16th Anniversary Photo Booth was made possible through the time and accommodation of our fur parents. We are deeply grateful for your presence, and your continued belief.

❈ ❈ ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ PlayCare™️ Excursion CX @ Petopia! ❈ ❈

As part of our PlayCare™️ Excursion Series, Team Petopia embarked on our 110th adventure with a select group of our canine VIPs for a Paws & Splashes©️ Poolventure at the OASIS on 14 Jul ’25 (Wed) 🐾💦

Every PlayCare™️ excursion is thoughtfully curated to offer our guests enriching experiences beyond the familiar daycare environment.

From scenic nature walks and invigorating Sniffari Experience©️ explorations to refreshing Paws & Splashes©️ Poolventure sessions, Paws & Tides©️ Southern Islands-hopping adventures, and Paws & Pedals©️ Bikeventure excursions where our guests travel comfortably aboard customised trailer wagons between sniffing points, every excursion is thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration, nurture confidence and create lasting memories.

Every outing takes place at carefully selected locations chosen for their safety, comfort and suitability.

Throughout each adventure, our guests enjoy regular hydration breaks and, before heading home, are treated to a specially prepared picnic snack or a puppucino @ Starbucks — a well-deserved reward after a morning of exploration, play and discovery. 🧺💚

To preserve these precious moments, every PlayCare™️ excursion includes a professionally edited highlight video, a gallery of candid photographs, and a commemorative photo memento presented in a specially prepared keepsake leather journal. 📸✨

Every excursion becomes another chapter in the PlayCare™️ story — celebrating not only the places we’ve explored together, but also the confidence gained, friendships forged and cherished memories created along the way. 🐾💚

❤️ ♡ Check out Rado's BLISSFUL MOMENTS during his O2 + H2 Bubble Dip (水素浴) with Tabashir Bamboo Essence Spa session 😛 ♥ ♡♡♡

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★ ✰ Vet Talk: Can Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria Be Shared Between Pets And Their Owners? ✰ ★

Is your pet suffering from repeated ear infections? In veterinary clinics, skin and ear issues make up a large proportion of weekly consultations.

Behind what appears to be a simple recurring infection lies a much deeper concern, one that has drawn the attention of public health officials around the world.

In September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly held its second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), reaffirming its political commitment to tackle this growing crisis. According to the World Health Organisation, there are nearly five million annual deaths associated with resistant infections.

AMR occurs when microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses evolve to resist medications designed to eliminate them. It can occur in both humans and animals.
Over the years, the inappropriate use of antimicrobials such as antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of resistant strains, and what once took decades to evolve, can now happen in just a few years.

Every antibiotic in use today faces some degree of resistance. The result is a high-stakes race between bacterial evolution and the development of new antibiotics.

Emerging research shows that humans and their pets who live together often develop similar microbiomes – distinct from animals living outside the household.

This raises an uncomfortable but important question: Can antibiotic-resistant bacteria be shared between pets and their owners?

In homes where people and pets live in close contact, misuse of antibiotics, whether in pets or people, can raise the risk of resistant bacteria spreading within the household. As with many health threats, prevention is key.

Here are four practical steps pet owners should consider to minimise the risk of AMR at home.

🐾 Source puppies and kittens from approved sources, including registered breeders

Backyard-bred puppies and kittens often suffer from many issues, such as congenital defects, inbreeding and weakened immune systems.

These early-life disadvantages increase their risk of infection, making them more likely to receive antibiotics and then become resistant to them.

Avoid sourcing pets through unauthorised channels on social media platforms and informal online listings, as breeder standards and animal health histories are often unverified.

🐾 Heed your vet’s advice on culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing for recurring infections

If your pet suffers from repeated ear, skin or urinary tract infections, and symptoms return after antibiotics, do not take chances.

Ask your vet if C&S testing is appropriate. This useful diagnostic tool identifies the type of bacteria and determines which antibiotics are most effective against it.

Without it, repeated courses of the wrong antibiotic will be ineffective against the infection. The wrong prescription will also contribute to resistance, prolong your pet’s discomfort and, ultimately, drive up treatment costs.

🐾 Never give leftover antibiotics without veterinary guidance

While it might seem convenient in the short term, using leftover medications without a proper diagnosis can do more harm than good.

To the naked eye, your pet’s symptoms may appear familiar, but on a microscopic level, the underlying cause could be different.

Using the wrong antibiotic not only risks ineffective treatment, but also contributes to the development of resistance, as the bacteria are exposed to a drug that may not fully eliminate them.

Pet owners should complete the full course of any prescribed oral antibiotics, even if their pet appears to have recovered early.

Ear drops, eye drops and topical creams that have been opened should be discarded after four weeks, as they may no longer be effective or sterile.

🐾 Avoid feeding raw diets to your pets

Raw meat can carry strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A common misconception about raw feeding is that freezing will make it safe for consumption. In reality, it may reduce the number of less hardy bacteria, but it does not eliminate bacteria entirely, nor does it remove their potential to contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

Pets fed on raw diets may not appear unwell, but can still shed resistant bacteria through their saliva or faeces, posing a risk to other household members, particularly young children, the elderly or immunocompromised.

Cooking pet food remains the most reliable method to reduce the risk of AMR transmission in your home.

The rise of AMR demands a consistent and united response across both human and animal health. The message remains the same: responsible use of antimicrobials matters.

AMR is not confined to hospitals. It is in your home, your pets and your shared environments. Recognising the warning signs and acting early can protect you and your pet.❣️

Vet Talk: Can antibiotic-resistant bacteria be shared between pets and their owners? Pet owners can take practical steps to minimise the risk of antimicrobial resistance in their homes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.