06:16am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 11.2 Hours (Picture: Yun-Fei Tou)

This series of stunning portraits by Taiwanese photographer Yun-Fei Tou brings the tragic reality of dog euthanasia into sharp focus.

The images were all taken in public pounds, and as well as taking their photo, Yun-Fei also spends time feeding, playing and comforting the dogs in their final hours.

Yun-Fei told us that although volunteers try their best to re-home stray dogs, over 80, 000 animals are euthanized in Taiwan each year, he explained: ‘The truth is, Taiwan is a small country and the number of animals in public shelters are just far too great.’

The project is named Memento Mori, a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’, and Yun-Fei Tou told Metro.co.uk: ‘I hope when viewing these images, the viewers also reflect upon themselves and their own deaths.’


05:01am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 12.5 Hours



03:17am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 14.2 Hours

01:49am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 15.7 Hours

11:58am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 2 Minutes

11:38am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 29 Minutes

04:17am, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 13.2 Hours

10:54pm, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 1.2 Hours

12:09pm, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 1.9 Hours

11:44pm, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 40 Minutes

2:57pm, Taiwanese Public Shelter, Time until Euthanized: 1.1 Hours

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