A new record for dogs and cats on Taiwanese campuses: a three-legged dog and a tabby cat move into the principal's office together

The pupils at Hutian National Experimental Primary School demonstrate their affection for dogs through their willingness to clean kennels, with even the kindergarten children happily interacting with the school dog, who has had a limb amputated.

The "Campus Animal Care and Life Education Project," promoted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education of Taiwan, was launched in 2017. It encourages elementary, junior high, and high schools to adopt stray cats and dogs by subsidizing care expenses. The project has already shown positive results. And as soon as 2026 began, there was good news from an elementary school that they adopted a stray dog that had been maimed and amputated by a feral animal and moved into the principal's office with the school cat. This is truly heartwarming!

The World Canine Organization, a strong supporter of the Taiwan School Dog Adoption Program, held two "School Dog Excellence School Selections" in 2021 and 2022 to encourage schools with outstanding achievements, especially teachers willing to take on care responsibilities. It was also found that many schools, in order to eliminate students' fear and smoothly promote the introduction of dogs and cats into schools, often choose small dogs, especially cute breeds confiscated from illegal breeding farms, but there have never been any examples of adopting disabled dogs. Therefore, it is very commendable that Hutian Experimental Elementary School was willing to gather the efforts of the entire school's teachers and students to take care of the three-legged dog "An Sheng" and the tabby cat "Cat Boss".

Hutian Elementary School has 48 students and 9 kindergarten children, with more than 30 staff members. Perhaps it is this student-teacher ratio that led the teachers to propose adopting a school dog. Principal Gao Zhiyuan, who loves animals, not only agreed but also generously designated a section of his office as a kennel. What's most amazing is that while many schools face obstacles in adopting a school dog from the parents' association, the head of Hutian's parents' association was more proactive than the teachers and students. They immediately went to the animal shelter to find a suitable dog. "Ansheng," who had been wrestled with a limb and had to have it amputated, retained its friendly and lively personality and was therefore chosen. After Principal Gao and the teachers visited the dog in person, they confirmed that it was the right one for the school dog.

An Sheng, who moved into the principal's office on January 12, 2026, lived up to expectations, getting along well with everyone and winning the children's hearts. At the welcoming ceremony on January 20, the principal announced that the school would adopt another cat, making the dog and cat teaching assistants and good companions for the students. The school cats "Cat Boss" and "An Sheng" were placed in the principal's office, looking at each other from afar. During their first encounter, "An Sheng" was full of curiosity and excitement for its new companion, while "Cat Boss" was a little uneasy. However, it is believed that they will get along well in the future.

Taiwan is facing a declining birth rate and a teacher shortage. In the future, AI may become the main teaching force, while teachers will be responsible for guiding students to cultivate character and establish a worldview. Cats and dogs on campus are expected to help revitalize the teaching atmosphere. Statistics from the Ministry of Education show that in 2025, 138 schools and 410 dogs and cats applied for life education projects, and it is hoped that this number will increase significantly in 2026.

The school dog and school cat's first encounter: the school dog, An Sheng, was quite excited, while the school cat, Cat Boss, was a bit shy.