Dong Shuzhen (66 years old, from Shandong province, China) loves animals and has been running an animal rescue center for about 15 years. She used to own a clothing store but closed it to build a shelter for stray cats and dogs.

According to Sohu News , due to focusing on this job, she gave up the opportunity to move to the US to live with her daughter and was constantly in debt.

A shared video shows the dogs playing in the fenced yard as Ms. Dong enters. The dogs all run out to greet her, and the woman affectionately strokes them.

“I want to feed them and give them a better life. The cost of running this shelter for stray cats and dogs can be up to 1,800 yuan (VND6 million) per day,” said Ms. Dong.

Ms. Dong Shuzhen gave up her clothing business to care for and rescue stray dogs and cats. (Photo: Weibo)

Over the years, she has been forced to relocate her four-legged friends four times. Her 10,000-square-meter rural rescue center now houses 2,400 dogs and 70 cats, and employs a team of 11 workers to care for them.

“The biggest problem we face is the cost of feeding the animals and paying the workers,” said Ms. Dong.

The pressure of a 500,000 yuan debt made her wonder whether she should continue to maintain this rescue center, especially when she was eager to reunite with her daughter in the United States.

“I tried to leave many times for my daughter, I even got a visa. But if I leave, what will happen to them? I will continue to adopt homeless animals as long as I can. Each dog and cat has its own story and name,” Dong shared.

The cost of running the center can be up to 1,800 yuan (6 million VND) per day. (Photo: Weibo)

Ms. Dong hired a team of 11 workers to take care of the cats and dogs. (Photo: Weibo)

Ms. Dong’s story melted the hearts of many netizens. They expressed their admiration for her: “This woman is so kind and wonderful”; “It is really hard to keep thousands of animals alive. I hope she can get support”…

In China, there are many people who love animals so much that they spend a lot of money and effort to rescue stray dogs and cats. In early 2023, a woman in the eastern part of the country set up a canteen to raise 17 stray cats that she cared for.

In December 2020, a woman in southwestern China who shares her home with more than 1,300 formerly stray dogs said she was determined to save them because she was worried about the dangers they could face on the streets, from traffic accidents to being captured and slaughtered.