Taiwan Search and Rescue Dog Training Reaches International Operational Standards
The Taiwan Detection Dog Association (TDDA), the Special Search and Rescue Team of the Fire Department, and the New Taipei City Fire Department have jointly invited a renowned dog training expert from Spain to Taiwan for a specialized training course. This powerful collaboration elevates Taiwan's search and rescue dog training system to align with international operational standards.
First Ever Cross-Domain International Training Camp
For the first time, the TDDA, the Fire Department's Special Search and Rescue Team, and the New Taipei City Fire Department have partnered to launch Taiwan's inaugural international training camp integrating military dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs. This groundbreaking initiative marks a milestone in cross-domain cooperation within Taiwan's canine training community.
Expert-Led Intensive Five-Day Practical Training
The training camp not only represents the first collaboration among the three parties but also features instruction by a Spanish dog training expert with a championship background from the International Rescue Dog Organization (IRO). The expert focused on the most urgent needs in Taiwan: rubble pile search techniques and large-area path tracking. Over five intensive days, participants engaged in high-intensity practical exercises designed to sharpen real-world operational skills.
Long-Term Commitment and Enhanced International Exchange
This initiative showcases the long-standing dedication of Taiwan's fire service system and canine associations to advancing search and rescue expertise. It also fosters deeper practical exchanges between Taiwanese and international experts, strengthening Taiwan's position in the global search and rescue community.
Supporting the Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes
As a vital partner supporting these canine heroes, the Dog Cat Star team provided essential logistical supplies throughout the training, ensuring that the dogs and their handlers could focus fully on the demanding exercises without any concerns.
Advanced Training Camp and MOU Signing Elevate Taiwan's Search and Rescue Dogs
The recent "Strengthening Search and Rescue Dogs – Advanced Handler Adjustment Training Camp" marked a significant milestone in enhancing the capabilities of Taiwan's search and rescue dogs. This specialized camp featured top-tier dog training experts from Spain, including Samuel RÃos Anguita, a two-time consecutive IRO World Champion, and David Sánchez GarcÃa, who obtained the 2024 International Search and Rescue Dog Mission Capability Certification (MRT).
These distinguished experts shared their knowledge on rubble pile search techniques, path tracking training strategies, and experiences from IRO international competitions. Their insights are set to further elevate the performance of Taiwan's search and rescue dog teams in various rescue missions and on the international competitive stage. This initiative ensures that Taiwan's professional training knowledge aligns seamlessly with global standards and fosters increased expert exchanges with international search and rescue dog teams.
During the opening ceremony, the Taiwan Detection Dog Association and the Fire Department's Special Search and Rescue Team formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed by Chen Yifeng, Captain of the Ministry of the Interior's Fire Department Special Search and Rescue Team, and Hong Hanqing, Chairman of the Taiwan Detection Dog Association. This agreement aims to jointly strengthen canine care, disaster rescue, and emergency response capabilities.
Coach Zhou Congji, founding chairman of the Taiwan Detection Dog Association, expressed: We hope to maintain close collaboration with Spanish dog training experts to further enhance the professional capabilities of Taiwan's search and rescue dog teams, especially in rubble pile search and path tracking training. Through cooperation between public agencies and private associations, we aim to overcome resource limitations and boost the competitiveness of Taiwan's search and rescue dogs, making our presence more prominent on the international stage.
Under the blazing sun, handlers and their search and rescue dogs from various counties and cities engaged in intensive training, fully preparing themselves for future rescue missions.
Strengthening Partnerships: Dog Cat Star Fully Supports the Search and Rescue Dog Team
Dog Cat Star was honored to be invited by the Taiwan Detection Dog Association to the training camp site to provide material support. Committed to fully backing this training camp, Dog Cat Star ensured that the search and rescue dog team received ample supplies throughout the training process. This support helps every furry hero participate in training in their best possible condition.
In 2024, the Taiwan Detection Dog Association and Dog Cat Star launched a series of public welfare initiatives for search and rescue dogs. Beyond signing a "Logistics Supply Plan" to regularly donate essential supplies to the dogs, they also rallied nearly ten thousand members of the public to actively support these furry heroes. Their goal is to ensure that search and rescue dogs are recognized and appreciated not only during disasters but at all times.
Dog Cat Star will continue to provide logistical support to Taiwan's search and rescue dog teams, offering even more assistance to these selfless furry heroes who dedicate themselves to saving lives.
At Dog Cat Star's supply sponsorship booth, Emma, a search and rescue dog from the Tyfd-K9 Taoyuan Search and Rescue Dog Team, couldn't resist jumping up to share the supplies with her fellow furry heroes!
About Dog Cat Star & Shepherdtech Group
Dog Cat Star is Taiwan's leading pet brand and operates under the Shepherdtech Group. With a founding principle of "always putting pets first", the brand is dedicated to creating pet products that closely meet the needs of dogs and cats. Their mission is to ensure every furry friend enjoys the happiest and healthiest life possible.
In 2017, recognizing a key market gap, Dog Cat Star launched Asia's first glue-free staple canned pet food. Rooted in Taiwan and expanding overseas, the company's international revenue now accounts for over 30% of total sales, showcasing Taiwan's pet food manufacturing expertise to the world.
The new manufacturing facility, located in Xinwu, Taoyuan, is Taiwan's first pet food factory to obtain dual certifications of ISO 14001 and ISO 22000. This highlights the company's commitment to environmental management and food safety.
Shepherdtech Group is Taiwan's largest pet food brand conglomerate. Through continuous innovation and technology, it focuses on product and supply development, manufacturing, logistics, and cross-border sales services. The group is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for both pets and their owners.
In 2022, the group's revenue surpassed NT$1 billion, achieving an average annual growth rate close to 50% over the past five years. Currently, the group owns multiple well-known Taiwanese pet brands. Its canned pet food, cat litter, and health supplement products hold the number one market share in Taiwan, with sales spanning seven countries worldwide.
About the Taiwan Detection Dog Association
Founded in 2018 by a group of passionate public officials, the Taiwan Detection Dog Association has since evolved into an organization actively involving professionals from various fields alongside dedicated volunteers.
From its inception, the association has upheld a vision to elevate Taiwan's search and rescue dog training techniques to an international standard. It firmly believes that through continuous learning, exchange, and international cooperation, Taiwan's handlers and their dogs will gain more qualifications to participate in rescue operations worldwide, thereby saving more lives globally.
The association's collaboration with Dog Cat Star began in 2023 with sponsorship donations for the Search and Rescue Dog World Cup event. This partnership deepened in 2024 with the signing of the "Logistics Support Program", launching a series of public welfare initiatives focused on search and rescue dogs and maintaining a close cooperative relationship.
