BEIJING: The story of a 66-year-old woman in China who has run up debts of 500,000 yuan (US$70,000) to save thousands of stray dogs and cats has captivated mainland social media.
Animal-lover Dong Shuzhen, from Shandong province in eastern China, has run a shelter for about 15 years.
As a result of providing a home for animals she is constantly in debt and even gave up the chance of moving to the United States to live with her daughter, Sohu News reported.
In a video, a pack of dogs is seen having fun in a fenced-off yard. When Dong enters, they run to greet her.
Dong, who used to own a clothing store, began feeding stray dogs and cats long before setting up the shelter.
“I want them to eat and live better,” Dong said, adding that the cost of running the shelter can reach as much as 1,800 yuan (US$250) a day.
Over the years, she has been forced to move the shelter’s location four times. It is now located in a rural area of 10,000 square metres, which accommodates 2,400 dogs and 70 cats.
A team of 11 workers are employed to look after the animals.
“The biggest dilemmas we face are feeding the animals and paying the workers,” Dong said.
The pressure of owing 500,000 yuan did make her question whether she should continue with the shelter, especially as she longs to reunite with her daughter in the US.
“I’ve tried many times to leave for my daughter, I even got the visa,” Dong said, adding: “But if I left, how would they live?
“I will continue to adopt homeless animals for as long as conditions allow. Every dog and cat has its own story and name,” she said.
Dong’s story has melted hearts on mainland social media.
“This woman is so kind and great,” one online observer said.
“It’s really difficult to keep thousands of animals alive. I do hope she can get support,” wrote another.
Stoies about people selflessly devoting their lives to saving stray dogs and cats are not uncommon in China.
At the beginning of last year, a woman in eastern China set up a canteen to feed 17 stray cats she cares for.
In December 2020, a woman in southwestern China who shares her home with more than 1,300 dogs, said she was driven to save them because she worries about what they face on the streets, from accidents to being snatched for the dog meat trade. - SCMP
