TAIPEI (Taiwan News) –  An 8-year-old female labrador retriever named Uny, who served four years as a search and rescue dog, has completed her term of service and is now up for adoption.

Interested parties seeking to adopt Uny are invited to visit the fire department’s website and fill out an application via a Google document. The application period is open until Aug. 31, according to a press release from the Taipei City Fire Department on Friday (Aug. 2).

Taipei City Fire Department said its search and rescue dog team was established in September 1989, with search and rescue dogs assisting in many domestic and international missions, such as an earthquake in Iran and the tsunami in Indonesia.

Beginning in August 2019, the fire department began entrusting the care of retired search and rescue dogs to foster families. So far, 13 search and rescue dogs have been placed in good homes and are enjoying their retirement from active service.

Taipei City Fire Department Commissioner Mo Huai-chu (莫懷祖) said there are eight search and rescue dogs in active service. In addition to regular search and rescue duties, the dogs also regularly participate in evaluation tests to enhance their capabilities.

Mo said that when search and rescue dogs retire, the fire department hopes to utilize private resources to provide the search and rescue dogs with a good quality of life after retirement.

Taipei Fire Department said it actively recruits international search and rescue dog experts to come to Taiwan and participate in exchanges and dog training. Last year, four search and rescue dogs passed “advanced level” certification, and two passed “intermediate level” certification. 

The Taipei Fire Department said successful applicants must be experienced in dog care and make themselves available for regular visits by the Taipei City Search and Rescue Dog Team.

After filling out the application form, all applicants will be evaluated based on their experience in dog care as well as the environment that they can provide. Applicants will be ranked according to their ability to provide Uny with a loving home during her retirement.