Animal Rescuer In Shanghai Is A Buddhist Monk Who Saved 8,000 Stray Dogs And Is Looking For Their Forever Homes
In Shanghai, one Buddhist monk has turned a rescue mission into a full-time commitment, and the scale of it is hard to ignore. Zhi Xiang has spent decades caring for abandoned animals, from injured cats to thousands of stray dogs that needed somewhere safe to land.
What began in 1994 has grown into a sprawling shelter effort that now includes nearly 8,000 dogs, plus birds, cats, and other strays. With donations covering the huge annual costs, Xiang keeps going while still hoping each animal finds a permanent home.
For him, the hardest part may be the goodbyes.
When Xiang started about three decades ago, he began tending to cats who were hit by vehicles.
At that time, abandoned animals were not common in China. However, after the pet market's boom, the number of strays in the country began to increase.
According to Xiang, this situation wasn't caused by the government or by people who disliked dogs. It stems from pet owners who are unaware of the proper way to care for dogs.
It also reminds us of a man’s mission to fill his home with rescued animals, no matter what it costs.
The monk mostly takes care of dogs, but he also cares for other strays, including geese, peacocks, chickens, and cats.
Eventually, he will send these poor little ones to their forever homes. With increased efforts from English-speaking volunteers, about 300 dogs have already found their new homes in the USA, Canada, and various countries in Europe.
Xiang believes that the rehomed animals are now very happy, but he still misses them.
Xiang finds it hard to say goodbye to the ones he rescued.
Still, he holds onto hope that he can meet those he rescued once again. He dreams that one day he will have the opportunity to go overseas and visit them.
So when I get old and can't walk, I will have these photos to look at.
Want more heartbreak to healing? Watch how a rescuer comforts an elderly dog trapped in deep river.
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