From China to New York: How 27 Dogs Were Rescued From Meat Trade And Found Families

A story that is certain to bring a tear to the eye.

The Yulin Dog Meat Festival began in 2009 to signify the summer solstice, it runs from the 21st to 30th of June which are the hottest weeks in a year, in China. Eating dog meat during the summer is said to foster good luck and health, but in recent times the Dog meat and Lychee have been under intense scrutiny.

The World Health Organisation claimed the festival to be a breeding ground for rabies and cholera but members at the animal rescue group, No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB), saw the festival as a huge breach of animal rights. Based in China, NDLB works tirelessly to rescue dogs from the illegal meat trade, and on March 8 they managed to rescue 27 pups from a grievous end and got them flights to New York.

Upon landing in the Big Apple at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the pups shared smiles and embraces from their new parents who had chosen them months prior to their rescue. Although the flight was delayed due to the pandemic, finding their forever homes was worth the wait.

These pups are a portion of 200 dogs that were rescued by other animal rights groups such as China Rescue Dogs who fly dogs to families in the US. Their mission was well-timed seeing that the date of the festival is a few months away.

Images Source: No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB)