A Japanese man sold his luxury sports car to help fund a shelter for difficult dogs in a move to repay the pet canine that saved his life. Photo: SCMP composite/fnn.jp

– via South China Morning Post

A 54-year-old man in Japan closed his company and sold his luxury sports car to help fund a shelter for “problematic dogs” after his own pet saved him when he tried to commit suicide.

Utilizing the funds from the sale of his Ferrari, Saito acquired land and constructed Wansfree (般社団法人わんずふり), a shelter designed to provide a chain-free environment for dogs. Currently, the shelter is home to 40 dogs and eight cats. Saito’s vision includes expanding the facility to accommodate up to 300 dogs by 2028, a goal he aims to achieve through fundraising efforts.

homepage of Wansfree.com

Turning Point

The turning point in Saito’s life occurred during a period of financial distress when he contemplated taking his own life. In a moment of despair, his large dog, weighing 70kg, physically blocked the door, preventing Saito from leaving. This action made Saito realize that his dog was acutely aware of his intentions and was intervening to stop him.

This profound experience led Saito to dedicate his life to helping others. He began rescuing aggressive dogs across Japan, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun.
Saito remained committed to showing these animals love and patience, never abandoning any of them. He established the Wansfree rescue center in Yaizu, which specializes in caring for dogs with behavioral issues stemming from past abuse. The shelter operates free of charge and focuses on dogs that many would consider too challenging to handle.

Reflecting on his journey, Saito shared with fnn.jp;

“When I realized that I was saved by a dog, I believed that what I could do is save dogs for the rest of my life. I will spend all my money on dogs.” He added, “I want to let them know that they are loved.”

Despite the physical toll his work has taken—his fingers are often red and swollen from internal bleeding, Saito has never felt more fulfilled. “I’m better off now than ever. I’m so fortunate to be able to realize
that,” he said.

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