AnimalZone: Peace Wanko: Rescuing Hope - Season 12, Episode 10

In this heartfelt episode of AnimalZone, we journey to the outskirts of Hiroshima to explore the remarkable work of Peace Wanko, an animal rescue sanctuary founded by Makoto. A lifelong animal lover, Makoto began his journey working with racehorses, but he became disheartened by the fate of retired racehorses in Japan. Recognizing that saving horses was more than he could manage on his limited budget, he started by rescuing stray cats and dogs. Today, with no euthanasia for these animals, he aims to expand his vision to other parts of Japan.

Established in response to the devastating 2014 floods in Hiroshima, Peace Wanko has transformed the lives of stray dogs, offering them a future filled with compassion and purpose. Makoto’s journey began when one of his rescue dogs heroically saved a man's life during the floods, sparking a profound shift away from euthanasia towards adoption and care. By 2016, thanks to Peace Wanko's efforts, the practice of euthanizing dogs in Hiroshima came to an end, saving over 4,000 dogs to date. Those unable to be adopted due to illness or disabilities find lifelong refuge and care at the sanctuary.

At Peace Wanko, dogs receive specialized training to become loving companions and skilled search and rescue animals. Supported primarily by local individuals and supplemented by government aid, Peace Wanko engages the community through adoption events held at malls and other venues, fostering meaningful interactions between people and rescue dogs. The impact of Peace Wanko extends beyond Japan, with trained search and rescue dogs deployed not only across the nation but also internationally, including missions in countries like Nepal. Join us as we witness the inspiring journey of Peace Wanko, where every dog finds hope and a new beginning.

In the second part of this episode, we join Laura Stinchfield, The Pet Psychic, as she works to solve the mystery of a German shepherd dog named Argon found abandoned in Malibu Canyon, with his mouth cruelly closed with a zip ties and around his neck. Fortunately, some hikers rescued Argon, who was then turned over to the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. While communicating with Argon, Laura reveals that he knows the person responsible for this heinous crime and that he fears for the woman who has been caring for him. Viewers will learn about the reward for capturing the perpetrator and how the rescue is dedicated to caring for the traumatized dog.

For more about Peace Wank visit: wanko.peace-winds.org/

For more about German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County visit: gsroc.org