In 2012, Wang Yan, a wealthy businessman from Changchun, China, was searching for his lost dog. A friend suggested he check a local slaughterhouse. What he found there shocked him. Dogs were being treated cruelly, surrounded by blood and pain. Although he didn’t find his dog, Wang couldn’t forget what he saw.
For a week, he stayed near the slaughterhouse, watching the suffering. It made him sad, and he decided to do something big. Wang, who made lots of money in the steel business, spent about $470,000 to buy the slaughterhouse. He shut it down and turned it into a safe place for dogs, called the Changchun Animal Rescue Base.
Over the next few years, Wang saved more than 2,000 dogs! At one time, his shelter cared for over 1,000 dogs at once. Many of them found new families who love them.
In China, some people eat dog meat, and events like the Yulin Dog Meat Festival cause a lot of arguments because many dogs are hurt. Wang didn’t want to argue—he just wanted to help the dogs.
Running the shelter cost a lot of money. Wang used up almost all his savings and even owes money now. But he says it’s worth it. He doesn’t ask for money, but he’s happy when people donate food or supplies for the 200 dogs still living at his shelter.
Wang’s story shows that one person can make a huge difference, even if it’s hard. His kindness gave thousands of dogs a chance to be safe and happy.
