At just a few months old, handicapped Xiao Xi was found abandoned on the street of Harbin still wearing a collar – but now she has the family she’s always wanted.

Little kitten Xiao Xi had the worst possible start in life. At just a few months old, she was torn from her family and tossed out on the street.

Her crime? She was unfortunate enough to be born with paralysis in her hind legs.

Such a disability should be no barrier to a full and fulfilling life, but to Xiao Xi’s original guardian, it was grounds to be discarded like a broken toy.

On the street, Xiao Xi struggled to fend for herself – but despite all this, at just four months old, she refused to give up. She wanted so much to live, just like everybody else.

This is when loving volunteers from the Harbin Small Animal Protection Centre (HSAPC) found her.

At the centre, Xiao Xi received the vet care she so desperately needed and was cared for with love and respect just like any animal in need.

Months later, Xiao Xi was transformed. She was healthy and best of all, she finally had the loving family she had always wanted.

Not only is Xiao Xi now a valued member of a family of guardians, she also shares her new home with four other cats – three of whom live with similar disabilities.

Animals Asia Cat and Dog Welfare Director Irene Feng said:

“We’re so happy for Xiao Xi. To be loved and cared for is exactly what she deserves and we know she is now in the best possible place. Her story of endurance and refusal to give up shows what a special individual she is and how much she desperately wanted to make the most of her one and only life.

“Cases like this are exactly why we fund and help develop shelters in China. The work they do all over the country, every single day of the year is absolutely vital to animals like Xiao Xi – it literally saves their lives.”

Animals Asia has enabled the HSAPC to develop into an effective organisation by funding their participating in six Dog Ownership Management Symposiums, and three Companion Animal Symposiums.

These leadership symposiums directly fostered a close relationship between the Harbin city authorities and the HSAPC that led to both organisations working with Animals Asia to refurbish the city’s rescue centre in 2016.

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“I was beaming with pride when I saw how happy Xiao Xi is in her new home. Just like her new siblings, she is going to live her live to the fullest and enjoy every moment surrounded by people and cats who love, cherish and respect her.”

As part of Animals Asia’s holistic approach to ending the dog and cat meat trades and improving the lives of cats and dogs in China, the NGO provides funding and training to around 100 animal welfare groups.

These grass roots organisations in China rescue dogs and cats and undertake other welfare initiatives that directly help companion animals. Animals Asia also runs conferences for the leaders of these groups, allowing problems and solutions to be debated and discussed for the benefit of thousands of animals all over the country.

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