Victory! 1,000 Dogs and Cats Rescued From a Chinese Meat Truck

In what is being called one of the largest dog and cat rescues ever seen, 1,000 cats and dogs are now safe thanks to work of over 100 Chinese activists and Human Society International‘s (HSI) partner groups.

The truck full of distressed, and dehydrated animals was reportedly headed to slaughterhouses located in the Guangdong province. The animals were provided with emergency aid and water by activists while others negotiated with the truck driver and pushed local police to abide by China’s animal disease control and prevention laws.

The activists reported that the truck driver was not carrying health certificates which are required by Chinese animal transport regulations. Additionally, activists took note of the breeds and that many of the animals displayed behaviors commonly seen in companion animals. This leads to the assumption that many of them were stolen pets. This comes as no surprise since according to HSI the truck originated in the southern Gansu province which is known for frequent dog thefts.

According to Peter Li, HSI’s China Policy Specialist, “What has made this rescue of far-reaching significance is that hundreds of young people from Guangzhou, the once so-called ‘world capital of dog and cat meat consumption,’ have participated in the rescue.”

Li also added,“These young activists are the hope of a new China that will be free of the dog meat trade cruelty. The activists found the dogs and cats wailing out of pain and despair, stuffed into tiny cages and hardly able to move. Many were sick and starving, with disease spreading rapidly in the tight confines of their cages.”

Each year 10-20 million dogs and 4 million cats are slaughtered for human consumption. “This is a timely reminder that for millions of these animals across China, every day is like Yulin and the focus needs to be on shutting down this cruel trade across the country,” stated Li.

To find out more about how you can contribute to saving dogs and cats in China click here.

To learn more about the annual Yulin Dog Festival click here.

Image Source: Pixabay