Spring has arrived in Ulaanbaatar, bringing a reprieve from the extreme winter air pollution and freezing temperatures that dominated the city just last month. Now that the nine nines (yesun yeus) are well and truly over, the snow has mostly melted from the surrounding hillsides and only occasional patches of black ice dot the city sidewalks. I've retired my pollution mask, heavy-duty winter boots, and full-length down jacket for the year. If any doubt of spring remained, I've been hearing boisterous clutches of sparrows chirruping and chattering in the bare branches of our courtyard and the nearby bakery.
WARNING: this post will discuss the animal welfare and rights situation in Mongolia, focusing on the status of cats and dogs in Ulaanbaatar. There are plenty of upsetting phenomena discussed below the cut. If you're sensitive or just don't feel up to ready about heavy issues today, don't read further.
