Wang Yan (activist)
Wang Yan (Chinese: 王妍; pinyin: Wáng Yán; born 1986) is a Chinese animal welfare activist in Helong city, northeast China. He was formerly a proprietor of iron and steel factory, and was a millionaire. The lost of his dog in 2012 compelled him to devote his resources for saving dogs. From that year he started a rescue centre for dogs in Helong city. As of 2015, he had helped rescuing more than 2,000 stray dogs, and is keeping over 200 dogs at his centre. He has spent all his money and has turned bankrupt.
Wang started to make a successful business around 2005, when the steel industry in China was improved. When he lost his dog, after several failed investigations, someone suggested him to look into the city slaughterhouse. He spent a week in the slaughterhouse, but to no avail. Instead, his observation of the appalling slaughter practices led him to work for animal welfare. Dog meats are sold in the market, and these meat mainly come from stray dogs. The butchering of dogs for meat is a traditional business, and China has been known for its dog meat. There is even a Lychee and Dog Meat Festival (or Yulin Dog Meat Festival) in which 10,000-15,000 dogs are consumed every year. The local government of a Dayang district in Shandong province even attempted to annihilate all dogs, including licensed pets. In September 2015, the government issue an order that "All dogs must be removed from the district, otherwise authorities will enter your house and kill your dog on the spot." More than 5,000 dogs are exterminated.
