China’s first ambulance for stray animals stays off the road
2016-10-28 16:58:43
China’s first non-profit ambulance for stray animals has run into difficulties as it has been unable
to successfully register for a Beijing license plate number, essential to legally drive on the road.
The vehicle was retrofitted to accommodate stray animals as an ambulance, with work completed
The vehicle was retrofitted to accommodate stray animals as an ambulance, with work completed
in July, according to Beijing Morning Post on Tuesday, but since then it has been unable to
acquire a license plate.
The difficulty has arisen due to Beijing’s policy in which license plates are awarded in a lottery
The difficulty has arisen due to Beijing’s policy in which license plates are awarded in a lottery
system designed to limit the number of license plates given out each month and curb the
increase in car numbers.
Under the 2011’s policy, potential car buyers have to join the lottery each month if they want to
Under the 2011’s policy, potential car buyers have to join the lottery each month if they want to
gain a license plate. Only drivers who are permanent residents of Beijing, or who have paid taxes
in the city for at least 5 years are qualified to apply. The numbers applying for license plates far
outstrips the allotted number awarded each month.
As the operator of the first ever animal ambulance, Beijing Ta Foundation, had tried to get around
As the operator of the first ever animal ambulance, Beijing Ta Foundation, had tried to get around
the lottery system and had filed a special application for the vehicle plate number to Beijing
Municipal Commission of Transport. However the special application was denied and officials
told the foundation to follow the official procedures.
“Now the car cannot run on roads. We are very anxious.” Zhang Xiaohai, Secretary-general
“Now the car cannot run on roads. We are very anxious.” Zhang Xiaohai, Secretary-general
of Ta Foundation, told the Beijing Morning Post.
One possible solution would be for the ambulance to be registered in a nearby city and then
One possible solution would be for the ambulance to be registered in a nearby city and then
apply for a permit to enter Beijing, “but we finally find we are not allowed to set up any branch
in other cities as a foundation,” said Zhang.
With many animal lovers inquiring about the ambulance, some netiznes have even offered to
With many animal lovers inquiring about the ambulance, some netiznes have even offered to
give the ambulance their successful lottery license plate registration, something which is
against the regulations, but the ambulance organizers have declined the offers.
“This ambulance is revamped in a crowdfunding manner so we don’t depend on an illegal
“This ambulance is revamped in a crowdfunding manner so we don’t depend on an illegal
means,” Zhang added.
Since the ambulance’s predicament has come to light, the issue has triggered off a debate
Since the ambulance’s predicament has come to light, the issue has triggered off a debate
amongst netizens on Chinese social media. Some have taken the approach that special
dispensation should not be given to the animal ambulance, saying “if the special application
was approved, would it mean all non-profit vehicles can take shortcuts?” while others were
on the opposite side and wished that the vehicle could be put into service as soon as possible.
A vet named An Mengchen working with Beijing Meilianzhonghe Veterinary Hospital thought
A vet named An Mengchen working with Beijing Meilianzhonghe Veterinary Hospital thought
that the rollout of the first stray animal ambulance in the country would be a great contribution
to animal welfare.
“All life is equal, so the animal ambulance is required. The ambulance plays a significant role
“All life is equal, so the animal ambulance is required. The ambulance plays a significant role
in people’s awareness of stray animals,” An said.
According to the Ta Foundation, the ambulance, funded by over 8,000 Chinese netizens at
According to the Ta Foundation, the ambulance, funded by over 8,000 Chinese netizens at
a cost 650,000 yuan (around 96,000 US dollars), took about 6 months to remodel. The
most cutting-edged medical instruments have been installed in the vehicle.
Do you have any suggestions as to what the ambulance should do while it is waiting for its
Do you have any suggestions as to what the ambulance should do while it is waiting for its
license plate? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.