Pang Pang relaxing with a toy.

WARSAW — April is National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month, which makes this the perfect time for Pang Pang (pronounced Ping Ping) to make his public debut in Warsaw. Pang Pang is the featured rescue pet at Books, Wine and Dogs, 101 East Center St., Warsaw, Saturday, April 15. Anyone interested in meeting Pang Pang can come to Books, Wine and Dogs between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Pang Pang’s story, although unique to our area, is related to a practice that unfortunately is all too common. Pang Pang has been rescued from the dog meat trade in China. American Greyhound Rescue, Valparaiso, was contacted in March by Steve Anderson, who works with the Duo Duo Project to provide assistance and support to activists in China fighting the dog meat trade. Anderson explained that a female greyhound had been rescued and the following day gave birth to four puppies; one puppy was stillborn and two others found homes, but they were still in need of a home for the fourth, a male named Pang Pang. When Anderson asked if American Greyhound Rescue would be willing to accept Pang Pang, the answer was a resounding yes.

According to Stephanie Jones, foster coordinator for American Greyhound Rescue, “Our primary focus is the rescuing of retired racing greyhounds, but we will help any hound in need.”

Over the next couple of weeks, American Greyhound Rescue began to make arrangements for Pang Pang’s flight from China. Leaving Tracks Inc., a nonprofit group whose mission is to support greyhound rescue and adoption agencies, generously offered to fund Pang Pang’s transportation to the United States. Sent from Beijing via a FedEx plane, Pang Pang arrived at O’Hare Airport, Chicago, on the afternoon of Friday, March 31.

According to reports, over two thirds of the Chinese population is opposed to the dog meat trade industry. This is a product of hard work by activists in China as well as changing attitudes of younger generations of the Chinese people.There are organizations in the U.S. who work to support the Chinese activists, such as Duo Duo Project, ACTasia and Animals Asia.

Pang Pang is currently residing in foster care in Valparaiso and will be there until his neuter is complete. After that, it is hoped that he will be sent to a loving, forever home and live a long, healthy life, blissfully unaware as to what his fate may have been.