Hong Anh is a beloved figure in Vietnamese theater, film, and television. Beyond her career, she is known for her dedication to rescuing and caring for stray cats and dogs. "Whenever I see their eyes on the street, I feel immense compassion," she says.

Growing up in Tra Vinh, her family raised various animals, including chickens, ducks, pythons, monkeys, and dogs. While she enjoyed playing with them, she lacked experience in their care. She recalls being deeply affected by witnessing a pregnant dog stolen from her family home and, on another occasion, a monkey her father kept being taken from their doorstep.

In 2017, while searching for a friend's lost puppy, Hong Anh encountered a slaughterhouse. "That moment is deeply etched in my memory; it was terrifying," she says. This experience sparked her commitment to animal welfare, challenging the notion of pets as fleeting hobbies or mere guards.

During Tet 2018, she adopted her first puppy, who became the "eldest brother" among her current pack of six dogs. On the first day of Tet, a fan offered her a puppy they could no longer care for. The healthy puppies were quickly chosen, leaving only a frail one. Many people said it wouldn't survive and would be difficult to raise, but Hong Anh took it in, naming it Nau. She bathed Nau, took him for a checkup and vaccinations, and had him neutered at six months old, following veterinary advice for longevity and disease prevention.

For Hong Anh, pet adoption requires mental preparation. She researches breed characteristics, basic anatomy, skeletal structure, teeth, and personality to effectively communicate and train each animal. She has even considered pursuing online veterinary training.

However, the journey hasn't been without its challenges. She has scars from dog bites and cat scratches, mostly on her hands and feet. She acknowledges these as inherent risks, particularly with strays or unvaccinated animals. Owners must be knowledgeable about care, vaccinations, and preventing disease transmission.

Hong Anh with Nau, age 7. Photo: Provided by the subject.

A common mistake, she says, is anthropomorphizing pets. "Initially, I thought petting and feeding were enough. But if the animal doesn't see you as its owner and hasn't established trust, it will react negatively. With strays, the process is more difficult and requires patience due to their self-preservation instincts. Without preparation, injuries can lead to resentment and abandonment," she explains.

Since adopting cats and dogs, her family moved from an apartment to a spacious house with a garden in Thu Thiem (Thu Duc City). She takes them for walks and toilet breaks twice a day, observing their preferences and understanding each animal's unique traits. For example, 3-year-old Hino only eats lean meat, 7-year-old Nau prefers cartilage, and 4-year-old Khoai likes shredded food.

She currently cares for six dogs and six cats, some taken in from previous owners. One cat, paralyzed and prone to seizures after being hit by a car, receives physical therapy and acupuncture at a veterinary hospital. Another cat suffered broken ribs from a stray dog attack. Recently, she enrolled her rescued dogs in training school, paying over 10 million VND monthly for their care.

Her family's travel habits have also changed. While she used to travel abroad frequently, her joy now lies in traveling with her husband and pets. They bought land in Da Lat (Lam Dong) to give their animals space to roam. When work commitments arise, she and her husband coordinate their schedules to ensure continuous care.

Hong Anh spends her free time playing with her dogs. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Beyond adoption, she connects animals with new owners, carefully vetting their living conditions and maintaining contact after placement. The animals are neutered and vaccinated. If a recipient can no longer care for a pet, she encourages them to return it to her rather than abandoning it or giving it to a stranger.

Hong Anh also advocates for animal welfare, encouraging spaying/neutering and vaccinations, and even offering financial assistance. Monthly, she donates a portion of her income to organizations supporting the poor, the vulnerable, environmental protection, and animal rescue. She and her husband provide food and financial aid for spaying/neutering at rescue centers.

Previously, Hong Anh's busy acting and filming schedule left little time for rest. The arrival of her "four-legged friends" brought joy and tranquility amidst her demanding career. "They always wait for me to come home," she shares. "Amidst all the worries, I no longer dwell on sadness, only longing to return home to see them."

Hong Anh, 48, began her career as a dancer. At 18, director Le Cung Bac cast her as Bach Van in the television series *Nguoi dep Tay Do*. She continued with roles in *Nhung neo duong phu sa* and *Cau thang toi*. In 2000, she won Best Supporting Actress at the 45th Asia Pacific Film Festival. In 2004, she made her historical drama debut as Kieu Nguyet Nga in *Luc Van Tien*.

In recent years, she has starred in commercially successful films like *Blood Moon Party* (directed by Quang Dung, 180 billion VND). As a director, she made her mark with *The Island of Aliens*, which won three major awards at the 2017 ASEAN Film Festival. Hong Anh has performed in prominent Ho Chi Minh City theaters like Idecaf and Hoang Thai Thanh, in plays such as *12 Ba Mu*, *Ngay xua ngay xua*, and *Nua doi huong phan*. In 2009, she married businessman Nguyen Thanh Son after six years of dating; they do not have children together.

Que Chi