Why We Refuse to Work with Certain Dog Shelters

Sister Ling's No-Kill Shelter

PawliBar started because of a conversation Henry and I had with a volunteer/co-founder of the no-kill shelter we work with today.

We saw firsthand how hard it is for shelters in China to secure financial support — especially those committed to a no-kill policy. The bills pile up so quickly. It’s scary.

From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to work with and donate to more than just one shelter. So we began visiting shelters, having conversations, and sharing our idea.

Turns out, it’s not at all what we expected.

Not All Shelters Are What You’d Expect

First — let me say this: I admire anyone who chooses to help animals. Running a shelter is exhausting, often thankless, and emotionally draining work.

But the truth is, many of the shelters we visited just didn’t meet the basic level of care that we believe dogs deserve.

Some had horrible hygiene conditions. No cleaning. No regular bathing. You could smell the suffering before you even saw it.

During one shelter visit, the conditions were so bad I thought that the dogs probably had better living conditions at a dog meat farm (seriously, it was that bad. I think the dog meat breeders might even do a better job considering they wouldn't want the dogs to get sick). 

I had brought a shelter (the one we currently work with) owner with me that day. She was ready — she wanted to take all of the dogs with her. She couldn’t stand the conditions either.

But the man refused. He wouldn’t let them go.

Why?

He was using the dogs to get donations. He admitted himself that the horrible conditions created more viral videos, hence, more donations - but it was clear to us the donations weren't being used on the dogs.

What We Stand For — Our Non-Negotiables

Here are the standards we hold — and we’re not compromising on them:

✅ No-Kill Policy
We will only work with shelters that don’t euthanize dogs just because they’re old, disabled, or unwanted. Every life deserves care, not a countdown.

✅ Humane Living Conditions
Dogs must have room to move, clean shelter, fresh air, and basic medical care. No long-term cage confinement. Regular deworming and vaccinations are a must.

✅ No Breeding for Profit
We’ve seen shelters that breed dogs to make money. We do not support this. Mothers should be allowed to rest. Puppies should stay with their moms until they’re ready — emotionally and physically.

✅ Science-Based, Gentle Care
We value socialization, medical attention, playtime, and mental health over rigid obedience. Dogs aren’t robots. They’re emotional beings.

✅ Real Connection with Dogs
We want shelter owners who know their dogs. Who care about their personalities. Who can tell us their stories — because those stories are what we’re honoring through PawliBar.

PawliBar was always meant to be about honoring real lives — and we’re committed to doing that with heart, with honesty, and with partners who feel the same.