Taiwan's first public dog pool opens in Taoyuan

Taiwan's first public pet playground was established at the Nanchang Animal Protection and Education Park in Taoyuan City.

As the aging trend of pets has driven the rise of hydrotherapy, Taiwan's first public dog wading pool has been established at the Nanchang Animal Conservation Education Park in Taoyuan City. In fact, it is not only a swimming pool for cooling off, but also has the function of hydrotherapy rehabilitation, hoping to benefit more pets and owners in need.

Wang Deji, Director of the Taoyuan City Animal Protection Department, pointed out, "Our initial design concept was to allow water play to function as a rehabilitation activity, which will be very helpful for dogs with joint degeneration and those recovering from surgery." Therefore, this swimming pool has the potential for "hydrotherapy" and is a public space that combines "health promotion" and "animal welfare."

According to the Animal Protection Department, the pool is 10 meters long and 4 meters wide, with a gently sloping bottom and a maximum depth of approximately 85 centimeters. It utilizes a circulating water purification system and a hair filter, and uses no bleach or chlorine, ensuring it's safe for pets' skin and eyes. The poolside is thoughtfully paved with non-slip material to facilitate safe entry and exit for older dogs or those with mobility issues.

Upon its opening on August 1st, the pool attracted numerous pet owners and their furry companions. Some dogs leaped in with a swift splash, while others, clearly new to the water, needed their owners' guidance. According to the Animal Protection Department's swimming pool regulations, first-time dogs must wear life jackets and be accompanied by their owners at all times. To maintain order and safety in the pool, all owners must be present at all times, monitor their pets, and remain within sight.

Dogs who love to play in the water and are in need of rehabilitation are blessed with a public dog play pool that is open for use at no charge.

At a press conference for the 2023 "National Pet Dog Park Survey," Legislator Wu Si-yao pointed out that the distribution of pet parks was both scarce and uneven, requiring improvement. She also proposed the idea of a "pet water park," hoping to create a space for dogs to play in the water. Two years later, this proposal was implemented, though not in Taipei, the capital, nor in her hometown of Tainan. Instead, it was in Taoyuan City, which recently achieved the highest number of pet parks in Taiwan. As Taoyuan City Agriculture Bureau Director Chen Guan-yi explained, "This pool is not just a place for dogs to relax; it's also a concrete implementation of the city government's efforts to promote an animal-friendly city. We hope to use public resources to ensure pets enjoy a healthy and dignified life."

To accommodate the schedules of many parents with furry friends, the pool is closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and national holidays. Reservations are available on Saturdays and Sundays. Each day is divided into three sessions: the morning session from 9:30–11:30, and the afternoon sessions from 1:00–14:30 and 14:30–16:00.

Basically, all domestic dogs can use this swimming pool free of charge, provided that they have completed pet registration, rabies vaccination and sterilization. Parents must declare this part themselves when making a reservation and must state the date of the most recent rabies vaccination.

The public dog playground is on a reservation basis. Dogs that are properly registered, rabies vaccinated and neutered are eligible to use the pool.

Currently, there are no fewer than seven privately-owned pet swimming pools across Taiwan, all larger and more sophisticated than public pools. However, owners and pets must purchase separate tickets, which are not cheap. Furthermore, it's difficult to ensure that pets entering the water are neutered and vaccinated against rabies. Fortunately, the Taoyuan City Government, despite being criticized for "competing with the public," has taken the lead in establishing a pool that combines animal welfare and health promotion. We hope other counties and cities will follow suit, perhaps even catch up, and transform dog pools into water parks for pets!