Billionaire on why she chose her dog rescue centre over luxury

Monday, 6 September 2010 12:45

A billionaire who now looks after more than 700 small animals has explained why cat and dog rescue is so important to her.

Speaking to Chinese news service Xinhua, Zhang Luping - founder of the Beijing Human and Animal Environmental Education Centre - said she decided not to emigrate with her fortune 20 years ago after realising the poor state of animal welfare in the country.

Even though she admitted that her days are long and hard - and the shelter is full - it is worth it.

"Sometimes, I think maybe I was born to save these poor animals and I am willing to do so even at the expense of having no personal life at all," Ms Luping said.

She added that she will continue to push for animal welfare legislation and requirements for those who decide to own pets.

Over in the UK, another animal shelter is nearly full. Heather McLean, director at the Animals' Refuge in Carlisle, said there is a severe lack of space on the site due to the number of cats waiting to be rehomed.

Animal Friends Insurance Services are an ethical pet insurance company. We have been supporting animal welfare charities around the world since 1999 by donating all net profits to their causes.

Posted by Elaine