Former millionaire goes into debt establishing animal shelter to save hundreds of dogs from the slaughterhouse

In order to save hundreds of dogs from the slaughterhouse, a former Changchun millionaire has gone broke founding an animal rescue center that helps to find local strays a loving home.

29-year-old Wang Yan, from Gelong town in Jilin province, once had a net worth of several million yuan. But he has since given it all away, in a journey that started one day in 2012 when his beloved pet pooch went missing.

"I went looking everywhere, but all to no avail," he remembers. "Finally someone let me go into the slaughterhouse to try my luck there."

According to Sina News, Wang hung around the slaughterhouse for a week, but was unable to find his lost dog. Instead, he found scenes of bloody slaughter that he was unable to shake from his mind. After that experience, Wang used his fortune to buy the slaughterhouse and establish an animal shelter inside an abandoned steel factory. Over time, he gradually built up the shelter, finding more and more homes for strays.

"Right now, we only have 215 dogs," he said. "The most we've had at one time is 1,000, many of them have been adopted."

Wang Yan and his family spend a lot of time in the station, feeding the dogs and clean their shelter every day.

Responses to "Chinese man spends $400K to buy Slaughterhouse and saves 2,000 dogs."

  1. Anonymous says:

    Wang Yan - you are a WONDERFUL human being! Thank you for saving all these dogs! Your reward will be great, I am sure... if not in this life, then in the next. I'll bet the dogs, themselves, have already rewarded you with their love! I personally believe there should be no slaughterhouses for dogs, and no dog meat for human consumption. I find that totally despicable! Thank you for doing what you can to help these wonderful companions!

  2. Anonymous says:

    God Bless you Wang Yan,,,I agree you are a wonderful and loving , caring Human Being for saving those dogs....And I do agree you will be rewarded, in the best way there is ....You are an angle sent by god to save those dogs...the kindness you have for them , the love you have for them, those dogs are so lucky and so are we to have you taken them out of that slaughterhouse...My heart goes out to the people that have lost there dog to the slaughterhouse . . We can only pray that in one day there won't be a slaughterhouse,,the thought of humans eating dog makes me sick..a dog would do anything for a human and that is how the humans repay them,,,that is just sicken ........again thank you Wang Yan..God Bless you...

  3. Anonymous says:

    YOU, sir, are a HERO. Thank you.

  4. ♥wonderful and bravo♥

  5. J'adore ce Monsieur!!!!

  6. "What an amazingly un-selfish thing this one man has done for all humanity"..may our Creator continue to bless you and send all manner of aid your way,

  7. Anonymous says:

    God bless you for being so kind and compassionate. You have some beautiful dogs there!!!! Hope they will find their forever homes! Thank you for all you are doing!!!

  8. Anonymous says:

    it's wonderful what you have done for those poor animal's you are a true hero maybe you should try to educate the people about the cruelty and suffering these dogs go through and try to put a stop to eating our best friends

  9. Were it not for massive over population of China and having so many mouths to feed, resorting to what we in the west consider abhorrent dietary practices, by eating domesticated pets this likely wouldn't be a problem. There are many "dishes" in the Asian or Oriental diet that the protein is from animals not utilized in the west or even in the other parts of the globe such as felines and monkeys. While we may not find even the concept particularly palatable, I would presume if or when you are hungry enough, you‘d eat almost anything. This is not to say that I don’t admire Wang Yan for the actions he took on behalf of the dogs in the slaughterhouse because I most certainly do and I appreciate the continued support he has shown them since. Many might have considered what he did in buying the slaughterhouse enough and walked away, but he has followed his heart and accepted responsibility for the lives he saved. Even at great personal expense. Hopefully, others will take up his cause and pitch in to help him with the expenses.

  10. Fantastic. What a wonderful man. Good luck to him.

  11. Tina says:

    Maybe he could make money by selling some dogs or set up a fund for donations to keep up the shelter and upkeep of these animals. He is a wonderful soul and human being. The way a person should be.

  12. Anonymous says:

    sir,... you are a angel hoe came see, and safed those beautyfull dogs, god has blessd you, keep on going

  13. Anonymous says:

    We need more human beings like you. I wish you all the best and I hope that others will follow in your footsteps.

  14. Unknown says:

    You are a Hero! Thank you for being our light in this world. I wish all good fortune to you and your family.

  15. Cat says:

    Mr. Wang Yan, thank you for being a much needed role model in todays world, for your compassion and committment. It is people like you that are leading the growing movement to kindness and caring. You are wished all the help you need and long life in good health.

  16. someone should start a fund for him to raise to help them, I dont know how to do that

  17. Anonymous says:

    Man of the century! HERO. Go fund Me. Lets start a fund for this guy. Need an address.

  18. A million thank yous...please Mr. Yen start a non-profit organization to help fund the dog food, beds and blankets. Maybe start a volunteer program to have people come help you clean and care for the dogs. There are ways people will help you for free! Start a FaceBook page and network! I'd help you if I was there! You have good karma coming, don't you worry!

  19. Anonymous says:

    He is a wonderful human being. I do not agree with one comment though, that he should sell dogs, because you can never be sure of who a buyer is. Haven't we seen enough examples of that on Craig's list? This world needs more people like Mr. Yen.

  20. Anonymous says:

    He is no doubt a very special man, but to go into debt is ridiculous. Now he has no investments to keep money coming in and won't be able to save more dogs, let alone feed what he has. I just don't understand this kind of behavior. Now others won't be save. too bad.

  21. Gosia says:

    all the best to you and your dogs

  22. Unknown says:

    You are definitely a hero and a saint. Thank you so, so much for saving all these dogs. Their love is unconditional. You have unconditional love as well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  23. GNS1992 says:

    Bless him

  24. Great Guy!!! God will bless you!!!

  25. Can I please come live there and help take care of these animals?

  26. Anonymous says:

    Brilliant man! What a heart! Thank you so very much from Australia. In order to continue to fund your great work..... social media will help!

  27. Anonymous says:

    Worldwide 'high fives' for you great-hearted Wang Yan!! and too ~ wishes for an inflow of abundance for you to continue to care for your dogs!! :))))

  28. Aanna Go says:

    Jesteś wpaniałym człowiekiem! Dziękuję! thank you!!

  29. Shopper says:

    Thank you so much! You are a wonderful, great man!!

  30. Anonymous says:

    I am sorry you loss your pet! You have a big heart, and I admire a man who cares so much for animals!! Thank you!!

  31. What a wonderful thing you have done. The way some of the population treats dogs over there is beyond disgusting (torture them, kill & eat the dogs). May God bless you. I am sure people around the world would love to help (donate) if you are out of funds. The atrocities done there and around the world to animals must end .

  32. You not only saved these dogs but you only saved countless human hearts that suffer every day with the knowledge of the these horrific practices. Thank you sir. You put a light in my heart.

  33. chantal says:


  34. Unknown says:

    Yan == you're the best === keep it up!

  35. still there is hope for china thank you.


  37. What a wonderful example of true human kindness. Thank you Wang Yan. My fervent wish is that humanity extends such compassion to ALL animals - dogs, cats, chickens, sheep/lambs, cows/calves, pigs/piglets, monkeys, orangutans, bears, seals, lions, tigers, goats, wolves... the list of animals goes on and on. Every one of them deserves to live, whether they are pets, wild animals or farmed animals. There is no difference. They all love their babies. They all feel pain.

  38. Thank you for your compassion for animals.

  39. wow u have a very big heart ty for saving them they r precious n deserve to be loved ur a good man and a hero in my books if i had the money i would do the same

  40. trudy says:

    I just read this and I think you understand it Then.

    Questioner: "How should we treat others?"

    Indian Sage Ramana Maharshi: "There are no others"

    Thank you Then for having your eyes open and truly seeing that there are no others. Love

  41. thank you for saving their lives

  42. Anonymous says:

    i thank and salute you sir... may god blessed you always for saving the lives of those poor dogs...

  43. beluga2 says:

    a True Heroe

  44. Sending You lots of praise.Thank you for caring so much God bless

  45. Unknown says:

    Thank you so much! You are my hero! If there is anything I can do to help you as a Veterinary Assistant, I would love to volunteer. You are incredible.

  46. Unknown says:

    Thank you and your family, for being exceptional human beings.

  47. Unknown says:

    You are an exceptional man, especially coming from china where the values for Dogs are not equitable. GOD BLESS YOU and he will!!!

  48. Anonymous says:

    Wang Yan Thank You, beautiful soul! Thank you for hearing their cries for your help. You are a true hero. <3

  49. You are amazing....your money was well spent and your soul is forever free now.

  50. Unknown says:

    May God bless you our furbaby hero. Thank you sir for your devotion to the voiceless. ;)

  51. Janet von Bose says:

    OMG...he's gonna go straight to heaven... a truly elevated soul!

  52. Anonymous says:

    you r very good perso .. T.Y. very much for wo derful thi g you did ,,

  53. Incredibly outstanding. A rare person indeed.

  54. Unknown says:

    Rare to find a kindhearted man like you. May the Lord bless you, your family and your innocent dogs :)

  55. I am so happy to find such a compassionate human being in China. Yan, you should lead your countrymen to more compassionate world ....

  56. DeeSource Latte (the Black Librarian) says:

    Reading this yesterday, I just had to come back again today. I am so grateful that we have people like you in this world. Much love from NY, USA.

  57. 🙌🙌🙋🙋🙏🙏🙏💝💝💝💟💟💟💖💖💖

  58. oso7 says:

    Your commitment to save these dogs is beyond commendable. I hope you can also bring attention to the fact your people and other Asians purchase ivory and ground-up rhinoceros horns in the mistaken belief it will help their medical ailments. Bless you for the rest of your life.

  59. Dear Mr Wang Yan & Family,

    "These things we do; that others may live". Thank you so much for living by this motto and may you and your loved ones enjoy a blissful lifelong journey together filled with love, peace and good health!

  60. Anonymous says:

    Thank you for doing that. You are a perfect example of an exceptional human being,

  61. Want Yan, how best to help in continuing what you have so graciously demonstrated out of your heart what is possible to achieve . If the only way to save these creatures so full of love, these dogs who show us such love and loyalty from horrible slaughter is to buy them, then the money must be raised. I have watched this industry with horror and you have shown me the simple path. It is just a matter us of making it as profitable to sell life dogs instead of dead dogs skins. Any help you can give me in finding them, and exploiting just trade will help me to fundraise in the United States to save dogs there. This is something that has been very much on my heart and I have been speaking and exerting people not to buy any leather items for fear that they could be a pet or an animal that suffers and loves. I want to help. I see that was a simple formula that so much more can be done then speak to friends . I am NOT wealthy but I know how to raise money. People in the United States will spend more put money on animals then on people in need. This makes it possible to raise large amounts of cash. I simply need to know where to start yes I am NOT from your country. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. How unspeakable but you had to go into the slaughter houses in search of your dog. Bless you many blessings for what you have done. I would like to make a difference if I can. Please write me

  62. Unknown says:

    Wow what a legend an absolute hero I wish more people where like this.

  63. Unknown says:

    Mr. Yan, you are the antithesis of the evils that China too often perpetrates on animals and I thank you for what you have done for so many dogs. I am sorry you did not find your dog-sometimes good comes out of hard times. I have seen too many pictures of dogs in meat markets and it is painful. I do not like to see suffering of any animals and do what I can for them. Thank you for saving so many dogs . In every country there are good people who care and you are one of them.

  64. Mr. Wang Yan you are the true hero
    God bless you and your family

  65. Anonymous says:

    Thankyou so much you beautiful soul

  66. Anonymous says:

    Thank you :)

  67. Anonymous says:

    Bless you sir

  68. Anonymous says:

    god bless you and thankyou so very very much you are so full of love and heart to these furbabies we all love you for everything and saving our opets you are a godsend and i appreciate all you do we need more people like you please help all these poor dogs you are a worldwide saver for our pets keep doing this fab job

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