TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan's bustling northern municipality of Taoyuan has expanded its network of pet-friendly spaces with the inauguration of five new parks designed specifically for animal companions and their owners. The city's Department of Agriculture (農業局) made the announcement on Friday (April 11) as part of a continuing initiative that began in 2017. The goal has been to create at least one dedicated pet area in each administrative district, explained Chen Kuan-i (陳冠義), who directs the agricultural department, noting that these spaces aim to minimize human-animal conflicts while promoting greater awareness of animal welfare issues.
With this latest expansion, Taoyuan now claims the distinction of hosting more designated pet-friendly parks than any other city in Taiwan, with a total of 28 locations across its administrative regions. The distribution reveals varying concentrations, with the namesake Taoyuan District emerging as the leader with eight dedicated facilities. Guishan District (龜山區), a hilly area known for its natural landscapes, follows with five parks, while Zhongli District (中壢區) and Pingzhen District (平鎮區), both densely populated urban centers, maintain three each. The more rural Yangmei District (楊梅區) offers two locations, with remaining districts providing at least one facility each.
The municipal government's ambitions extend beyond public parks and into the private sector, according to Wang Te-chi (王得吉), who heads Taoyuan's Animal Protection Office (動物保護處), a specialized division handling animal welfare matters. Wang described an ongoing campaign launched last year to enlist businesses across hospitality, transportation, and agricultural tourism sectors in the pet-friendly movement. These efforts have already resulted in 126 certified pet-accommodating establishments, with officials targeting an expansion to 200 participating businesses before year's end. To support this growth, city administrators are developing digital resources, including a comprehensive website and interactive map of pet-welcoming locations. ★