Ha Wenjin, a dog lover from China, has given up her job, sold her house, car and jewelry to take care of over 1,500 dogs and 200 cats.
The middle-aged woman says she started out with just a few dogs that she could tend to in her spare time, but as their number kept growing, she had to give up her career and spend her entire day caring to the dogs’ needs. Before she knew it, she practically had her personal animal shelter, complete with 10 workers who look after the dogs, and 2 more who take care of the cats.
LIFE Magazine first reported on Ha Wenjin‘s amazing animal shelter, in 2006, and the resourceful woman managed to keep the facility outside Nanjing running until now. She had a number of volunteers coming in at least once a week to check on the dogs, and people donated most of the food. But now, the 1,500 dogs and 200 cats have to move to a new home, as Chinese government officials reclaimed the land the shelter is built on, and threaten to close the place down.
Ha Wenjin had to act fast, and find a cheap but large enough space, where her beloved pets could relocate to. She managed to find it in Houyu village, far away enough from human settlements, because she admits 1,500 dogs are not quiet. Now all she has to do is find enough volunteers to help her move the dogs with the help of four buses, and clean the vehicles afterwards. Ha Wenjin definitely has her work cut out for her, but she has no intention of giving up in her fight to save as many stray dogs and cats as she can.
Back in 2006, LIFE Magazine reported it cost around $37,500 a year to take care of the dogs, but now, with more than double the number of animals, you can imagine how tough it is for Ha Wenjin to keep her animal center open, especially with no help from local authorities. Luckily, most of the food comes from donations, but there are many other things that cost a lot of money.
Just to be clear, the animals are not as crowded as the photos show. It’s only like this at feeding time.
Photos by Socialite Life , M Scott Brauer
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To find really kind and caring people these days is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Louvo quem largou uma vida e começou uma nova, em benefício dos amigos, que nada mais exigem que um tecto e um pouco de ração diária. Se tivesse forças, faria o mesmo, embora com menos quantidade. FELICIDADES.
You shall be in my prayers all the time. What a kind woman!!!
Real life “hotel for dogs”!
I think it’s extraordinary! These dogs now have a home and people to care for them. It’s better than being euthanized or living on the streets.
People who actually give themselves up for these animals are the real heroes! Such kindness is rarely seen and it warms my heart to find someone who will do anything for these animals!
we need more people like this
she is a LEGEND i want to go over and help get more and more animals out of harms way, away from the slaughterers
Fantástico! Fico muito emocionada ao ver estas coisas. Fico feliz por saber que os chineses não só maltratam os animais, pois há quem goste deles e deixe tudo para os ajudar. Este é um exemplo a ser seguido. Se todos nós ajudássemos pelo menos um animal abandonado ou maltratado por ano este mundo tornar-se-ia muito melhor, tanto para os humanos como para os animais, pois eles são a nossa grande companhia.
Namaste, Your are truely very special may Buddah surround you with health…
The TRUE HERO…
Wonderfully big heart! Just hope she can devote enough attention to each animal and that they all get what they need. Big love to her!
AM I THE ONLY CYNIC HERE? I WANT TO BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE ARE KIND BUT I’M AFRAID I NEED MORE PROOF THAN A COUPLE OF PICTURES. THEY MAY BE FEEDING THEM TO GET THEM FATTER FOR RESTAURANTS. AND IF THEY ARE MATING THERES GONNA BE MANY MANY MORE ! SORRY !!
You maybe right about the dogs Linda, actually I hope you´re not right, but the Chinese do not eat cats, so why has she also adopted stray cats?
i think this lady is just very kind…=) thank you Wenjin..
You have a great heart full of compassion and will serve to enlighten and teach people in your own country that animals have feelings and needs just as we humans do – thanks for giving them that right – their birthright.
Is this real or is this just a DOG FARMER? And they do eat cats too. Looks like herding for future slaughter?
I’m not saying they eat these animals, but so what if they did?? These animals are being fed proper food and have space to move around in. Their lives are a hell of a lot better than the animals in the slaughter houses in America. So even if the worst case scenario was true, it’s better than the alternative.
Great !! This woman is great !!!
I HOPE THIER NOT GOING TO KILL THESE DOGS AND CATS DONT TRUST THEM I NEED MORE PROOF THEN JUST PICS
WHEN THEY OR SHE FINDS HOMES FOR THESE DOGS AND CATS THEN I WILL BELIVE OMG I HOPE THEY DONT KILL THESE DOGS AND CATS SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEND THIS TO THE ANIMAL ATIVISE