A Chinese Monk named Zhi Xiang has built his life around rescuing the animals of his community. Saving animals is a part of his spiritual journey, one to which he has vowed to dedicate himself for the rest of his life.
Zhi’s journey in animal rescue started in the 1990s when he began treating injured street cats in his neighborhood. The once-small stray animal population in his community has since grown to astonishing numbers over the last 30 years, leading him into the role he has today. Zhi currently runs an animal shelter in Shanghai that houses over 7,000 dogs, all of which were either abandoned or rescued from the street.
“This is not caused by people who dislike dogs, or by the government, but by so-called dog lovers who don’t have proper animal-caring knowledge.” – Zhi Xiang
There are an estimated 50 million stray animals roaming the streets of China, all of which could use a loyal animal rescuer like Zhi. With the help of a team of dedicated volunteers and hard-working staff, they have created a safe haven for so many deserving furry friends.
“I have to rescue them because if I don’t, they will die for sure.” – Zhi Xiang
Not only does Zhi run the large shelter in Shanghai, but he also houses hundreds of animals at his ancient monastery. The sacred temple lined with golden Buddhas and burning incense, as well as furry friends of all kinds. His Bao’en Temple holds hundreds of dogs, over 200 cats, and multiple feathered friends.
When tallying up the animals currently under Zhi’s care, there are over 8,000 lives that rely on him and his team. They provide the many basics an animal needs to thrive and arrange loving homes around the world. Zhi has placed thousands of dogs in homes within the United States, Canada, and Europe.
With an operation this massive, Zhi relies on support from the public to save the lives of animals in his country. He hopes that with a growing list of supporters on his side, he can find a home for each animal that crosses his path.
“I have a dream that one day, when I have some free time, I want to go abroad and visit them, take photos with every dog that I rescued. So when I get old and can’t walk, I have these photos to look at.” – Zhi Xiang
If you would like to follow the work of Zhi Xiang and his team, be sure to follow the shelter’s TikTok account. Each video displays an email to which you can reach out for adoption interests!
H/T: channelnewsasia.com
Image Source: AFPNews/Twitter
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