China: Couple spends life savings on stray animals
A husband and wife in China are seeking new homes for more than 50 cats and dogs, after spending their life savings looking after the animals.
Hu Fengduan and his wife live alongside the pets in a flat measuring just 20 sq m (215 sq ft), the China News Service reports. The animals are former strays which the couple took in from the streets of Chengdu, in the southwestern province of Sichuan. It started 10 years ago with the rescue of a cat who was stuck on a roof, Mr Hu is quoted as saying on the NetEase web portal. Since then, more animals have joined the household, and are now costing the couple 3,000 yuan ($485; £320) each month. His wife, a former nurse, looks after the animals' health herself because veterinary appointments are too expensive.
Mr Hu, a former gemstone appraiser who currently works as a street vendor, says their money has run out, and the pets need new homes. "We've spent all of our savings to raise them. I'm hoping more warm-hearted people can help us by adopting some of the pets," he says. "We don't want any money but only ask people to be good to the animals." In 2011, a former chef made the news for looking after 140 stray dogs at his home near the Chinese city of Wuhan. He was supported by people's donations, which helped to cover food costs.
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