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At 54 Years Old, Japanese Businessman Sells Ferrari and Closes Company to Create Shelter that Rescues Abused Dogs; Plan Aims to Host 300 Animals by 2028.
In July 2025, the story of Hirotaka Saito, a 54-year-old Japanese businessman, gained global attention after the newspaper South China Morning Post revealed his radical life transformation: he sold his Ferrari, closed his own company, and invested all the money into creating Wansfree, a shelter dedicated exclusively to dogs who are victims of abuse in the city of Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
The extreme decision was not impulsive. Saito described years of emotional crisis, professional burnout, and profound feelings of emptiness, until a single dog changed everything.
The Emotional Crisis, the Dog That Saved Him, and the Start of Change
Saito reported that he went through a long period of depression and isolation while managing his maritime business. He worked long hours, had little social contact, and, according to himself, “felt that life no longer had color.”
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Everything changed when he met Ray, the dog he adopted from a small local shelter. Ray’s presence restored his emotional balance, reduced his anxiety, and helped him regain a sense of purpose. Saito credits the animal with saving his mental life.
This bond led him to visit larger shelters, study canine behavior, and witness the harsh reality of traumatized dogs — those that, due to displaying aggression as a reflection of violence, were rejected by other institutions.
It was there that Saito realized what he wanted to do: give back to the animals what Ray had given him.
The Radical Decision: Sell the Ferrari and Close the Company to Start from Scratch
Determined to follow this new purpose, Saito made the most difficult decision of his life:
- sold his Ferrari — the ultimate symbol of his former life of status;
- closed the company;
- liquidated investments;
- sold part of his personal belongings;
- allocated everything to the construction of the Wansfree shelter.
The personal revolution was accompanied by a philosophical change: less material wealth, more purpose.
The Wansfree Shelter: Specializing in “Difficult,” Rejected, and Traumatized Dogs
Unlike common shelters, Wansfree focuses on dogs that:
- have suffered severe abuse;
- display aggressive behavior due to trauma;
- have been chained for years;
- have been confined in tiny spaces;
- have been abandoned when they aged;
- have developed extreme fear of people.
These dogs are often considered “irrecoverable” — and thus are the first on the list for euthanasia in many areas.
Saito did exactly the opposite: he decided to welcome them.
Today, Wansfree houses:
- about 40 dogs,
- 8 cats,
- all with histories of abandonment, violence, or extreme neglect.
He works daily on the management, training, feeding, hygiene, and rehabilitation of the animals — often completely alone during many periods.
An Ambitious Plan: Expand from 40 to 300 Dogs by 2028
According to the SCMP, Saito has a clear plan for the coming years:
- build new facilities;
- expand outdoor areas for socialization;
- hire trained staff;
- accept volunteers;
- create sectors for behavioral rehabilitation;
- expand the shelter to up to 300 dogs by 2028.
The project is ambitious and requires continuous investment, but he claims to be prepared to use all his personal resources to achieve the goal.
Why This Story Impacted the Japanese Public So Much
The story went viral because it touches on three sensitive themes:
- The Harsh Reality of Rejected Dogs in Japan, especially those considered aggressive.
- The Transformation of a Successful Businessman, who abandoned luxury and wealth in the name of a purpose.
- An Act of Extreme Gratitude, motivated by a dog that helped him overcome depression.
Moreover, Japan faces challenges with:
- shelter overcrowding;
- rising numbers of abandoned animals;
- lack of public policies for “difficult” dogs.
Saito’s action drew attention to this reality.
Conclusion: A Man Who Swapped Luxury for Purpose and Gave Life Back to Dozens of Animals
The story of Hirotaka Saito highlights a profound change: the choice to transform material privilege into social impact.
By selling his Ferrari, closing his own company, and dedicating everything to the animal cause, he has become a symbol of compassion, courage, and reinvention.
In 2025, Japan and the world witnessed something rare: a businessman who gave up everything he owned to repay the love he received from a single dog — and who now saves dozens of lives and plans to save hundreds more.
Será que ele quer se casar comigo amo os animais tenho 8 petes daríamos um per perfeito
Uma família mudou e deixou a gata na rua eu dava ração para ela, estava sempre com fome,eles deixaram sozinha na casa fiquei com pena e levei para minha casa, como tem coragem de fazer isso com um ser indefeso🤣😭
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