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Childhood memories of a pig being led to slaughter prompted Chinese lawyer and businessman Lu Xun to fight for the welfare of animals.

“I remember the horrible screaming from the pig as it knew it was nearing its end,” Lu told China Daily.

Now 47, Lu is the man behind The Benevolence Foundation, which he says is China’s first fund dedicated solely to the welfare of animals. Lu invested $315,000 to set up The Benevolence Foundation in January 2010.

“To some extent, the way a country treats its animals reflects the standards of civilization in that country. China in this aspect should improve itself,” Lu says.

The foundation made headlines in April of last year when it helped save 280 dogs being sent to restaurants in Changchun, Jilin province.

The foundation has also worked to make slaughterhouses more humane, and in at least one case donated a quarter of the funds one company needed for more modern equipment.

Getting government to support his efforts is difficult he says,  and some in China question his priorities.

“Some people do not agree with what I’ve done. They say in China there are lots of people who are suffering from poverty, and you are creating a foundation for animals?”

Before setting up his animal welfare foundation, Lu took part in other charities in China, including those that helped children and the elderly. There are far fewer charities in China working to protect animals, he said.

“I’m glad I can help. When you do things that touch others, you are also touched. As a child, I could do nothing about it when I saw animals being slaughtered terribly on the farm. But now I am capable of doing something to improve their situation.”

(Photo: China Daily)