Pete Wicks, best known from The Only Way Is Essex, has revealed the project that completely changed his life — and saved more than 170 dogs from unthinkable cruelty.

The reality TV star joined forces with Humane Society International to help shut down a dog meat farm in South Korea. It was there, surrounded by cages and silence, that he said he truly “heard the dogs cry.”

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever seen,” Pete admitted. “You look into their eyes, and you realize they’re terrified, but they still have hope. It breaks you — and it changes you.”

The mission rescued over 170 dogs from brutal conditions, giving them a second chance at life in the UK, the US, and Canada. But for Pete, the experience did something deeper. “You can’t go back to normal after that,” he said. “When you’ve held a dog that’s never known kindness, you understand what matters — and what doesn’t.”

Since that trip, Pete has become a passionate advocate for animal welfare. He’s worked with Dogs Trust and continued supporting rescue initiatives across the world. His story isn’t about fame anymore — it’s about purpose.

“I used to think success was about TV, money, attention,” he shared. “But hearing those dogs cry — and realizing I could help — that was real success. That was the moment I found something worth fighting for.”

Today, the man once known for reality TV is known for something far more powerful: compassion. Pete Wicks didn’t just save 170 dogs — he found a new way to live.