Massacre of Yulin: NoToDogMeat reports that festival is bigger and crueler than ever

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Fabulous Felicity! Our queen of the Cannes Red Carpet using her star power to help dogs in need

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Debbie and Delphi, the first survivors to travel to Europe since the pandemic, and the true story of what it takes from NoToDogMeat heroes to get them here

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Yulin – Let’s talk about it ..

 

I was watching NoToDogMeat live from Yulin when something struck a chord. It brought back something I have been trying to put into words about empathy and the way we sometimes emotionally detach as a form of self-preservation.

It made me reflect on something I’ve been seeing across their social media platforms: why comments that come from a place of compassion can so easily be misdirected as anger, such as “Why didn’t you save them all?” Why does the focus so often fall on the number of lives not saved, rather than the reality of what it took to save any at all?

What I have come to realise is that these reactions do not come from a lack of empathy, but from an incomplete picture of it.

Empathy is a curious thing. It is not always shaped by the severity of suffering, but by how far removed we are from it. When we are watching something like Yulin unfold through a screen, we are only ever seeing fragments of a much larger and more complex reality. That distance can make it easier to consume what we see as a complete picture, when it is only a small part of what is happening on the ground.

In that gap, misunderstandings form. It becomes easier to assume what could have been done, or what should have been possible, without fully seeing the conditions, scale, or limitations that those on the ground are working. Even empathy, when shaped only by fragments, can turn into judgement.

Distance removes identity because the further we are from something, the easier it becomes to lose sight of the individual lives within it. What remains is the idea of what is happening, rather than the reality of who it is happening to.

And from that distance, it becomes easy to focus on quantity alone. On how many were saved, or how many were not. Of course, saving as many dogs as possible will always be the priority. But what is often missed is what that involves.

The travel. The sleepless nights. The emotional weight of witnessing what cannot be unseen and continuing anyway.

Most people support charities because, for them, that is the most realistic way to help. Sometimes, more than a donation feels out of reach, even when the desire to do more is there. And for others, it is not just practicality, but emotional capacity. The thought of seeing a dog chained or crammed into cages so tightly that they cannot move is something they might not feel able to carry.

That does not come from indifference. It comes from limits.

It is important to recognise that there are people out there going beyond their own limits in the name of something many of us believe in. It can help to hold onto the bigger picture before reacting in the moment. Sometimes, in spaces like this, frustration can be directed in ways that miss the reality of what is happening on the ground, often towards the very people who are still trying, still showing up, and standing on the frontline, defending a cause they care so deeply about, even when the weight of it is not always seen or understood from the outside. If you have watched Julia live from Yulin, you will have seen how much a simple positive comment acknowledging her presence and the work she and her team are doing meant in that moment, rather than reducing it to numbers or statistics.

And this is where it all comes back to distance.

Because when we are not there, we are not experiencing the full reality, only fragments of it. And fragments can never carry the full weight of what is unfolding on the ground. In those fragments, it becomes easier to misunderstand, easier to reduce, and easier to judge without meaning to.

But understanding that gap changes everything.

Because empathy is not only about what we feel. It is also about what we are willing to recognise as incomplete and still choose to hold with care.

And perhaps that is what matters most. Not how close we are to the suffering, but whether we allow ourselves to stay aware of what we are not fully seeing and still choose compassion despite that distance.

Julie Gledhill

Staff Writer

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Distance makes the heart grow fonder

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

We’re both in our seventies, and Samoyeds have been a constant in our lives for as long as we can remember. The “fluff trail” is very real, but it’s always been part of the deal. Apart from our very first dog, who came from a breeder, every Samoyed since has been a rescue.

Over the years, we’ve adopted two from Many Tears and another two through the Samoyed Rescue Association. Rupert and Daisy, who came to us through the rescue association, had both experienced significant upheaval before finding their way to us. Rupert had already been through three homes, while Daisy had been through five and had been passed around on the internet before the rescue stepped in.

It’s always difficult to think about what some dogs have been through before they reach safety. Seeing them slowly settle, gain confidence, and realise they no longer must keep moving from place to place is one of the things that makes rescue so special to us.

Our first NoToDogMeat girl was Christy, whom we renamed Qiwi.

 

In late 2023, Qiwi travelled from China alongside another Samoyed, Maeve, who was heading to her own adoptive home with fellow NoToDogMeat supporter, Christine.

Qiwi had also been due to be adopted, but sadly, her adopters withdrew while she was already in transit. With nowhere else to go, Christine kindly offered to take Qiwi in.

Christine already had three small dogs and was concerned they weren’t settling well with their much larger new housemate, meaning she often had to keep them separated. Qiwi was finally safe and far from the horrors she had left behind in China, but not every rescue story ends the moment a dog reaches safety, as we know.

For Qiwi, the next chapter of her journey was only just beginning.

NoToDogMeat reached out to the Samoyed Rescue Association to see if they could help find Qiwi the perfect home, one that would appreciate every inch of her fluffy personality.

The rescue association got in touch with us, and we decided to go down for a meet-and-greet. First impressions count on both sides, after all. We were eager to meet Qiwi, and no doubt she was sizing us up, too.

Before Qiwi could find her happily ever after, there was one very important family member she still needed to meet.

Daisy, our other Samoyed.

Daisy can be reactive around other dogs, so naturally, we were a little apprehensive. We also didn’t know what to expect from a dog who had spent years in a shelter.  But from the moment they met, they were simply great together. It was as if they had already decided what we were still figuring out.

There was only one thing left to do.

Homeward bound.

 

 

“We can honestly say, she amazed us from day one!”

Qiwi is the sweetest, calmest and most loving dog we have ever come across. From the moment she came into our lives, she stole our hearts. We honestly couldn’t believe just how amazing she truly is.  There was no house training required and very little for us to do at all. Aside from settling into her new routine and a couple of minor things that were easily managed, Qiwi simply fitted into our lives as though she had always been there.

We live in a very rural area, surrounded by fields and open countryside. Within a week, Qiwi was confidently walking off lead along the footpaths and enjoying the feeling of sand between her toes at the beach.

When you consider everything she had been through, her confidence amazed us. Rather than being fearful of the world around her, she embraced every new experience with curiosity, trust and a real zest for life.

“One of our walking friends describes her as ‘A gift from Heaven”.

During Qiwi’s first year with us, we saw NoToDogMeat posts about Halle, a small Golden Retriever who had been Qiwi’s best friend at the shelter. Like Qiwi before her, Halle was still searching for a place to call home.

Their friendship, combined with Halle’s need for a family of her own, really pulled at our heartstrings. But if we’re being completely honest, we weren’t entirely sure that adding a fourth dog to the household was something we could handle. I quote cautiously as I write this, but “we’re old codgers”.

In September 2024, we lost our boy Rupert. This was devastating; we all wished for forever with them. Forever in our hearts, our boy.

Although we hadn’t long lost Rupert, we came across Halle’s adoption plea again. We didn’t need much convincing; a friendship had been left behind when Qiwi came to the UK, and we wanted nothing more than to see the two reunited. Shortly before Christmas, Halle, now known as Pippin, came home.

 

Pippin was very shut down. The poor pup didn’t even want to get out of the car when we arrived home.

Until, drum roll please, she spotted Qiwi.

For anyone who believes dogs don’t form deep emotional bonds, think again. The moment they saw each other, it was clear that their friendship had never been forgotten. Despite the distance, despite the time apart, they recognised one another instantly.

Dogs feel. They love. And sometimes, the connections they make are strong enough to survive even an ocean between them.

Pippin took some time to settle in, though with the help of Qiwi, she soon became a real snuggle buddy. Belly rubs are an essential in Pippin’s world.

 

 

Pippin’s tail never stops wagging, and she loves everybody she meets. She does have a slight weakness for treats and is always first in line when snacks are involved, but then again, what dog isn’t?

She has such a sweet personality. Full of mischief and charm in equal measure, Pippin quickly made herself at home. One thing, however, is never to leave your shoes lying around, unless you’re happy for them to come back a little worse for wear.

Our older girl, Daisy, has also taken a shine to Pippin and lets her lie beside her, which she doesn’t usually allow with other dogs.

All in all, it’s been a lovely experience to give them a home. Watching them running around the garden or enjoying the beach together really does make your heart sing.

Thank you, NoToDogMeat, truly, for everything.

 

 

Two best friends in China now reunited

 

We currently have 8 samoyeds in our China base amongst our 700 dogs and cats seeking loving homes. Please consider adopting or sponsoring one of them.

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Yulin 2026 – Who would you save?

Caged Dogs

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

It’s hard to know where to start when describing what it is like to witness first-hand the horrors of the ongoing dog meat trade in China. It’s hard to drown out the fake news of supposed historic victories in closing down the slaughterhouses forever, or to shelve as spam the many fundraising organisations that claim to be gurus on the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, but have never even been to Guangxi. Then there is social media: viewers who watch our real lives like a film, or an interactive computer game, shouting out our next move and growing disappointed that we couldn’t save more. In a few weeks, they will turn their attention to something else.
Perhaps that’s why animal lovers subscribe to big orgs: even if they don’t actually act, they somehow feel shielded from the consequences of knowing the slaughter continues. Perhaps our accounts and grainy photos feel too real in an age of AI and filters. I can only describe my truth, which, surprisingly, is the actual truth. It’s all I have: bearing witness and holding space to lives lost in fear and pain.
It’s not my first time in Yulin. I have been coming for many years, pretty much since the ‘ Festival’ started in 2010. I have seen the huge media descent on the place as well as the empty, eerie streets after stalls close, which smell of death and despair. I have been physically attacked, chased and followed, gasping for breath due to the intense humidity and afraid. There is not one person who can go to Yulin and its surrounding villages with the ‘ Mom and Pop’ slaughterhouses and not feel fear. And, if they say they haven’t, they are either a psychopath or have only glimpsed a sanitised version of events. And, to respond here to vegans who, on reading this, will likely say what about the other animals. I can attest that the severed heads of cows with painful expressions on their faces lie side by side on the dog stalls, with flies and other insects buzzing around.

 

 

 

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

In short, Guangxi, the province that houses Yulin, is a place of lawless terror. Perhaps many of you don’t know where Guangxi is or much about it other than the dog meat festival, so here are a few facts. Guangxi is a province spanning 237,600 square kilometres, with 125 cities, and is home to about 50 million people, many of whom are of the Huang ethnicity. It is one of China’s autonomous regions, such as Tibet or Inner Mongolia. Geographically, it is close to Vietnam. As such, it is far from the eyes of Beijing and allowed, even though still an important part of China, to ‘do its own thing’. That said, over the last few years, with the new Chairman Wei Tao, an ethnic Huang himself, in place, big steps have been taken to grow the economy and promote the area’s cultural richness. Several X accounts have sprung up to promote tourism, the food and the amazing way of life. Tourists landing in Nanning are recorded expressing their joy to visiting the region. I wish I could have felt the same.
If anyone does fly into Nanning, they have to spend 30 minutes of their descent in darkness as all window blinds are shuttered. You arrive and leave this dystopian nightmare shrouded from even the mountains above. And the secrecy and blackouts don’t end at the airport. Foreigners are actually viewed with deep suspicion, and that includes people from the North of China, and all this before you even get into Yulin.

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

After the media frenzy and large American groups descending on Yulin in 2015 and 2016, never to be seen again, the City started its own lockdown, and this involves carefully monitoring all visitors, where they are going and what they are doing. If a camera is pulled out at the wrong moment, footage is quickly deleted, and when walking, even with your head down towards the markets and restaurants, you are quickly surrounded by men who start to film you. From my own experience, I can tell you that even on your own, they can become physically aggressive and then will offer to call the police to take you in to ‘help you’. Your car is followed, and they, too, scan social media. They are the abusers, the vigilantes and city guardians ready to pounce at any moment, people who will do anything to protect the trade. So you may ask yourself, what chance do the poor dogs have?

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

Emotions aside, a few more facts. Since the pandemic, you rarely see live slaughter in the main Yulin dog meat markets or the restaurants that serve crispy dog and rice for as little as £2.50 in some places. The only thing you see are the lacquered carcasses of the dogs, mouths open and their last expression before slaughter. All the butchering is done on the many dog farms high in the neighbouring mountains or in the slaughterhouses in the villages around the city. There are actually slaughterhouses everywhere in Guangxi. In some large facilities, dogs can even be processed alongside other animals, and, as in Hebei, their meat can be mixed with beef to reduce costs. Pretty much every town has its share of dog meat restaurants open 365 days of the year.
Even in the provincial capital Nanning, with its large Ikea and high-rise office buildings, you can easily find downtown a good 9 dog meat restaurants in a square mile. All selling unregulated dog meat dishes for the scan of a QR code. In April 2020, when the Beijing Ministry of Agriculture published its list of livestock animals, it did not include dogs.
At the time, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture said, “As far as dogs are concerned, along with the progress of human civilisation and the public love and concern for animal protection, dogs have been ‘specialised’ to become companion animals and internationally are not considered to be livestock, and they will not be regulated as livestock in China”.
Some large cities, such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, closed their restaurants, but not Guangxi.

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

 

The Yulin dog meat festival seems particularly heinous as it conjures up a vision of demonic rituals, whilst locals and tourists whoop it up for 10 days, drinking Lichee wine and eating dogs. And, it is true with the music shows and other side events, the revelry is macabre. Over the last two years, footfall has declined significantly, but this is due to economic rather than ethical factors. And, the weather. Last year and thankfully this year, the weather has been terrible. There have been heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain wreaking havoc on many of the province’s cities and causing delays on trains and difficulties to driving

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

This leaves the traders’ route to the mountains, where most of the dog farms are muddy and treacherous. Collecting live dogs for fresh slaughter becomes problematic, and the route for the large trucks to enter the city, as you have seen many times on rescues, is impeded.

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

So the final question remains: who would you save?
Villages around Yulin are full of small-scale slaughterhouses operating right next to beauty salons and regular shops. The cages of the dogs with pleading eyes are still there. And on top of that, each Sunday morning (so that means the opening day of Yulin), there is a large open market close to the City where pets and bred dogs are sold. Last week, we were lucky enough to save the lives of a wonderful Malamute and Golden Retriever. The two of them are now safe at our base. This weekend, we are making preparations, despite our limited resources, to save whoever we can. As an organisation with just a handful of brave activists on the ground, limited resources, and not even a decent van, we find ourselves thousands of miles from our shelter of 700 dogs, facing impossible decisions. The point is that every rescue forces impossible choices.

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

It is not our policy, nor can it be, to pay high prices to the butchers to look like heroes. We have no interest in that. The misery I have chosen not to document here, the screams, the things we have witnessed, the guilt, the shame, the sorrow of not being able to do more, weighs heavily, and it is hard to sleep. Most dogs are killed around dawn, and if we can rescue, that’s when we go, knowing the choice is impossible, for even if one dog caught your eye at night, he may no longer be alive when you go back for him.
When Yulin ends, we will lovingly bring back to our base any souls we have saved and care for them until they can find loving homes. We will continue to hold space for the lives lost and campaign for change until the cruelty ends.  One supporter to our campaign thanked us for repeatedly returning to Yulin, even though we could do so little. I was moved reading that comment; she did not ask us who we can save, but silently stood with us in compassion, knowing we are doing the best we can.
Julia de Cadenet

Photo: Julia de Cadenet

all photos and videos are our original dated work, mostly shot by me personally

1 reply

  1. Cindy Janzen
    19 Jun 2026 • 10:29 pm

    I hope there is a special place in Hell for all people involved in this horrible practice !

    Reply ↓

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Rescue is just the beginning. How our adoption works

The true meaning of rescuing a dog is not simply giving an animal a home; it is choosing to stand in the fragile space between suffering and hope. All our dogs are based in China, rescued from the dog meat trade, and many arrive carrying experiences no living being should ever endure, marked by fear, uncertainty, and a deep mistrust of the world around them.

NoToDogMeat was founded over twelve years ago by Julia, who made the extraordinary decision to sell her family home to fund the shelter’s beginnings. What started as an act of conviction has grown into a sanctuary for hundreds of dogs rescued directly from situations of profound suffering. Many of these rescues take place in extremely challenging and often dangerous conditions, with our team risking their own safety to bring each animal into care.

Because all our dogs are based in China, adoption means giving one of these survivors a journey across distance and circumstance, from survival into safety, stability, and love.

Many will not be adopted. Some will spend the rest of their lives with us, and they will always have a safe, loving home at NoToDogMeat. Here, they are not simply kept; they are healed, protected, and given the dignity they were once denied. For them, the shelter is not a temporary stop, but a lifetime of safety and care.

Those in our care become deeply known to our team over time. Through patience, daily care, and unwavering dedication, we come to understand each dog as an individual, what comforts them, what unsettles them, and how they have learned to trust again. This means that when you enquire about adoption or fostering, we’re able to make thoughtful, informed matches that truly consider both you and the dog.

We also take great pride in how every dog and cat is transported to safety. We do not use cargo services, external boarding, or third-party agents. Each animal is carefully prepared and personally accompanied by our team all the way to Beijing Airport. On arrival in Paris or Holland, we are there at the crack of dawn to receive them and ensure they are safe, supported, and ready for the final stage of their journey into a new life. While others may work differently, and we respect all efforts to help animals, we believe this continuous, hands-on care is a unique strength we offer as a registered charity.

Adoption or fostering is not just about saving a life. It is about becoming part of a journey that turns fear into trust and survival into belonging.

“Our little flowerpot,” Camille, now a very old boy, was the first known meat trade rescue to fly with a foreign charity out of China, as recognised and shared by Air France.

 

Costs involved are often the next question, and we believe it is important to be completely open and transparent from the outset. These are not fees for profit, but the real and necessary costs we incur in rescuing, preparing, and transporting each dog or cat safely from China into a new life.

The total cost can vary depending on destination and individual travel requirements. Brexit and the pandemic have made the process more complex and expensive, but despite this, we continue to do everything possible to bring each animal to safety. It is also important to note that the UK does not permit animals to travel in-cabin with passengers, meaning all dogs must first arrive in Europe before onward travel can be arranged.

If needed, we can also support adopters with fundraising, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent a suitable home from giving a rescue animal a second chance.

On average, the cost to fly a dog or cat to Paris is £1,300. From there, onward travel can be arranged depending on your location. You are always welcome to collect your pet in person, which many adopters choose to do.

Adoption Travel and Veterinary Costs reflect the essential preparation required to ensure each animal is healthy, compliant, and travel-ready:

Estimated Costs

Service Estimated Cost
Vaccinations (US and Europe) £30
Rabies test £250
Spay/neuter £120
Flight costs with volunteer escort £600
Veterinary and airport transport £200
Beijing mandatory health check and blood tests £180
Onward travel (e.g. France to UK) From £300

 

Onward travel will vary depending on the destination. Wherever possible, we recommend meeting your pet in Paris, where most arrivals land. For UK travel, collection is usually arranged in London or the Southeast. For adopters across Europe, tailored arrangements can be provided.

These costs reflect the genuine, essential work involved in relocating rescued animals safely from China. Nothing is added beyond what is required to complete that journey and ensure each animal reaches safety, is health checked and ready for their new life.

We are also able to arrange travel to the USA and Canada.

We not only care deeply for our dogs and cats, but also for our adopters. We take genuine pride in staying in close contact throughout the transport process and onward journey, and we remain available as you and your new companion begin to bond, grow together, and settle into your new life side by side.

“I received phone calls, videos and photos throughout my rescue’s entire journey, and it was so reassuring to be part of every step. From the moment they left with Julia and Mr Zhao right through to collection, it was lovely to see their journey unfold and know they were being cared for the whole way.”

To adopt or foster is to change the entire direction of a life. It is the point where survival becomes safety, and where a rescued animal finally learns what it means to belong. For many of our dogs, that one decision is everything. Please follow our social media to see dogs and cats currently available for adoption to contact us visit www.notodogmeat.com/adopt

 

NoToDogMeat Staff Writer Julie Gledhill

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Ten Cent finally hit the jackpot

You could say I’m completely animal-obsessed, with a rather unconventional extended family to prove it. Alongside the sheep, cows, and American Miniature Horses, there’s Evie, an eleven-year-old fox who still behaves like an excitable puppy, plus Cody, a dog meat trade rescue from Vietnam, Nasr, my Egyptian rescue who spent years strapped to a table enduring endless tests and hundreds of injections before being discarded like rubbish, and Ten Cent, now known as Alfie, my very own Yulin survivor rescued through NoToDogMeat.

 

The Yulin Dog Meat Festival is an annual event held in Yulin, China, where dogs are sold and slaughtered for meat, often during the summer solstice.

NoToDogMeat has spent years campaigning against the trade, rescuing dogs, supporting local activists, promoting stronger animal welfare laws and changing attitudes toward companion animals in China.

It’s also important to note that the festival does not represent all people in China, and many Chinese activists and citizens actively oppose the dog meat trade and work tirelessly to end it. The small team who run the base where Ten Cent used to live are testament to that. Sadly, it’s hard for locals to speak out against an oppressive government. ( Our 2026 Yulin Appeal link)

Ten Cent was born on a dog meat truck in southern China just moments before it reached its destination, a place filled with fear, suffering and horror, yet he never knew it. The moment he was placed into Julia’s hands, she named him Ten Cent because of his tiny size. He was one of the lucky ones, rescued before ever experiencing the cruelty he had been destined for.

I had often thought about helping dogs in other countries, but I was always hesitant. Sadly, animals can sometimes be used in scams, which made me understandably cautious, to say the least.

I followed my heart.

I originally enquired about another dog that NoToDogMeat had rescued, but the lucky pup had already found a home. Then I came across Julia’s video of her travelling to Paris, hoping to bring rescue dogs with her if adopters were willing to offer them a happy home. With hundreds of dogs at the rescue base in China, sponsorships and adoptions are incredibly important. Many people support ending the monstrous trade, but sadly, rescued dogs often spend years waiting for a place to finally call home.

Ten Cent had been at the shelter since he was a puppy, waiting many years for someone to choose him. Julia took a chance and brought him with her in the hope that somebody would finally offer this beautiful boy the home he deserved.

Travelling is a long and exhausting process, with the team doing as much as possible themselves to keep costs down. Adoption fees cover essentials such as blood tests, health checks, paperwork, flights, and onward transport to the UK or beyond. It’s a lengthy and expensive journey, but one that is always worth it.

With five dogs already, I wasn’t entirely sure whether I was taking on too much. But no matter how much I tried to reason with myself, I kept coming back to the same thought: we had enough room, enough love, and if nobody else was willing to give this gorgeous boy the home he deserved, then I would open my heart, trust my instincts, and make sure Ten Cent finally knew what it felt like to belong.

After arriving in the UK, Ten Cent stayed with Marion, a fellow rescuer and supporter of NoToDogMeat. It was there that I went to collect him, ready to finally bring him home.

What amazed me most was how long he had been overlooked. This gentle, beautiful boy with his soulful eyes and kind nature had spent years waiting for somebody to choose him, while so many others passed him by. I felt like he had chosen me. Like some twist of fate, as though time had quietly stood still until the moment our paths finally crossed.

We bonded almost instantly. Wherever I went, Ten Cent was never far behind, always quietly by my side. I truly believe you can have more than one soul dog in a lifetime, and Ten Cent had become one of mine, along with the others in our pack.

I slowly introduced Ten Cent to the rest of the gang, taking care to let him settle at his own pace. Before long, they had all bonded beautifully, but it was our two pugs he became especially close to. The three of them are now inseparable, and watching him finally feel safe enough to play, relax, and simply enjoy life has been incredibly special.

 

“My only regret is that I didn’t find him sooner. It breaks my heart knowing he spent so many years waiting for someone to choose him. He’s so sweet and friendly and such an easy dog to have around.”

What I am most impressed with at NoToDogMeat is the tireless campaigning that Julia and the whole team carry out to help these dogs. The social media reels show the harsh reality of rescue work and how difficult it is to care for such large numbers of dogs and cats, yet they continue to work incredibly hard every day.

I also sponsored Rolf, as he looks so similar to Ten Cent, now Alfie. I think NoToDogMeat is an amazing charity with wonderful people involved, and you can really see the love Julia and Mr Zhao have for these animals.

I think I’m the one who hit the jackpot with Ten Cent, my Alfie. He has brought so much into my life, and it feels like he was always meant to be here.

Alison x

 

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Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Sun Luin learned how to soar from the darkness.

To care so deeply is often to live with fear. Yet despite everything NoToDogMeat face, they continue to return because for them, looking away is never an option. In places filled with suffering and darkness, they always choose compassion, and that is where love prevails.

It was Chinese New Year 2018 when Mr Zhao, a brave Chinese activist and passionate dog lover, once again risked everything alongside the NoToDogMeat team to save innocent lives from a small but horrific slaughterhouse discovered in Hebei. Among the 30 dogs rescued was Sun Luin.

Inside, the scene was unimaginable. Many dogs had already had their fur removed, their carcasses scattered across the bloodied floor. Sun Luin herself had been left for dead, motionless amongst the devastation.

What many people outside of China do not realise is that behind every rescue are people risking far more than most could imagine. For Chinese activists speaking out against the dog meat trade, the danger is very real. Many face threats, intimidation, violence, and constant fear simply for trying to protect innocent animals from unimaginable cruelty.

Alongside them stand the NoToDogMeat team, who willingly place themselves in these same hostile and dangerous situations to rescue dogs and expose the suffering hidden behind closed doors. These rescues are not simply acts of compassion; they are acts of extraordinary courage. Every journey, every confrontation, and every life saved comes with emotional and physical risk.

Just as they were preparing to leave the slaughterhouse, Mr Zhao caught sight of Sun Luin’s beautiful eyes. In that moment, he knew she was still alive, and he gently scooped her up into his arms.

To the reader of this blog, rescue may feel like a fairytale moment. You may breathe a sigh of relief, comforted by the thought that someone came for them in the end. And whilst that is the outcome we all hope for, alongside the hope that one day this heinous trade will end entirely, rescue is often only the beginning.

Sun Luin had survived, but the road ahead of her was still uncertain. Left paralysed, she began a long and fragile rehabilitation journey. For three months, she remained under intensive veterinary care and hospitalisation before she showed even the smallest sign of movement. Then, by what only felt like a miracle, Sun Luin slowly began to walk again. Step by step, she fought her way back with a quiet resilience that touched everyone around her. She became deeply bonded to Mr Zhao after he saved her life. Sun Luin had suffered severe nerve damage caused by brutal beatings, leaving lasting injuries that would shape the rest of her life. Her body still carries the marks of what she had endured, enduring wounds of survival, a story written into her very frame. These I wish were never part of her story, but those I am grateful she survived to carry.

Mr Zhao wanted Sun Luin to find a loving home, and he began preparing her paperwork in anticipation of a better future. After everything she had endured, he hoped she would finally have the chance to experience safety, warmth, and a life defined by care rather than suffering.

“In the Hebei floods, she was too scared to even flee from her kennel when we were forced to open the cages. This tiny space had been her home.”

I approached NoToDogMeat to offer foster placements. Whilst forever homes are the dream for every rescue dog, foster homes are just as important. For many rescue dogs, especially those who have suffered trauma, a foster home can be the difference between surviving and truly learning how to live again. It helps them build trust, gain confidence, and adjust to life outside of fear and suffering. Without foster homes, many rescues would not be possible. It was because of this that Sun Luin came into my life.

Sun Luin had originally been adopted; however, despite being made aware of everything she had endured, her adopter later decided not to continue with the placement, viewing her as “defective” because of her condition.

It takes someone truly special to rehome and rehabilitate a dog meat trade survivor. Trauma is not confined to humans alone; it exists in animals too, both physically and psychologically, shaping how they see and respond to the world around them.

When empathy extends beyond the boundaries of humanity and reaches into the suffering of animals, you begin to understand the depth of care these dogs require and the second chance they truly deserve. It moves beyond the idea of simply wanting to do good and becomes the responsibility of doing something good.

This is why I am a volunteer for NoToDogMeat and have attended several events and demonstrations to raise awareness of the charity and its work. I take great pride in contributing, in a practical way, to efforts that document, expose, and challenge the realities of the dog meat trade, and in supporting work that directly connects advocacy with rescue and rehabilitation.

I also have the great pleasure of meeting many of the rescues before their journey continues to their forever homes, as they travel from China via Paris on their way to new beginnings. I would keep them all if I could, but I take real comfort in knowing I have played a small part in their transition from suffering to safety. In the end, they are heading towards their forever homes, where they have the chance to be “forever furballs”, to families who will finally give them the life they have always deserved.

Sun Luin has been with me for almost four years now and has truly blossomed into a confident, happy, and sociable dog. Her journey began in unimaginable circumstances, lying on a cold, hard floor surrounded by death, after being left by those who inflicted callous violence upon her. From those early moments of suffering, she has transformed into a dog who now understands safety, stability, and affection. A chance is all she needed, and that’s something we all have the capacity to give.

Rescue, for me, means seeing a dog as I would a human being. It is a form of empathy so deep it feels almost physical, as though the suffering they endure is reflected through every part of you. It means not distancing yourself from their pain but acknowledging it fully and allowing it to matter. It means responding to that awareness with action, care, and responsibility, even when it is difficult to carry. I’m writing this to inspire, to encourage belief in change, real change, and how it can be achieved collectively. If Mr Zhao had not looked back that day, if he had not noticed what others might have walked past, Sun Luin’s story would have ended there. My story with Sun Luin would have never begun. I am a voice for the voiceless, and I will continue to speak with conviction, feel deeply, and love fiercely for as long as I can.

Marion x

Written by Julie with thanks. To share your story please contact campaign@notodogmeat.com

To find out more how to adopt 

 

Marion pictured with Sun Luin

Marion and Sun Luin

#NoActionTooSmall

 

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Alfie aka Ten Cent’s Story in Memory of His Sponsor Kathy

In what seems like a lifetime ago, we found ourselves in a chilling rescue operation. As we pried open the door of a truck bound for slaughter, the scent of fear hung heavy in the air.

Nervous whimpers and the sound of metal bars rattling against the desperate struggles inside painted a haunting picture of urgency. Amidst this scene, a tiny pup was born. His official name from his sponsor is Alfie, and for us, his nickname is Ten Cent. We named him because he felt like the size of an old penny fitting into the palm of our hands.

How he survived when so many that day died from distemper, we do not know, but he has always held a special place in my heart. And, even though he lost his Mum. he snuggled close to the other dogs, especially our old boy Camille. He has also held his eternal youth. Fast forward seven years, and Ten Cent’s story is perhaps also typical of rescue: once saved, no one wants him. Each day he goes unchosen feels like a quiet heartbreak, a reminder of how a rescue can turn into a waiting game. And so he has lived with us in our base for a good 7 years.

He used to have a lovely sponsor, Kathy from Canada, who named him Alfie, which is why we quietly cared for him, giving him extra treats and even the odd groom. It was just that every time we promoted pups for adoption, despite his lovely demeanour, no one ever chose him.

In 2024, two of his kennel friends were adopted by Isabel and Malita, and this is now the second Christmas JD Long Long and Stormy will get cuddles. But not for Ten Cent.

A few months ago, his sponsor sadly passed away, and our hope for him faded even more. But then her lovely husband stepped up and pledged to keep on helping Kathy’s boy in her memory.

I am the ever-optimistic and despite so many days and sleepless nights of despair in the summer after Yulin, I have prepared him to fly. In fact, I prepared four dogs and one cat (all ready and waiting).

And now in just four days, on 18th December, I will be flying back to Europe. Thanks to Kathy’s legacy, I want to bring our boy to a real home. This means that for any adopter, the usual costly fees would be halved, as it is only onward travel from Paris that needs to be paid. I know many of you have wanted to adopt before, and cost has always been a factor, so as our loyal supporters, I wanted to tell you about this as soon as I could. I have even found two lovely fosters who could help out any new adopter for a few weeks.

This little bundle of joy weighs only 15 kilos (about 32 pounds). He is neutered, and even his teeth are good.

It’s so cold here right now, minus 7-10 at night, and we are struggling financially to buy fuel for the pellet ovens, as we are worried the older dogs will freeze to death.

If you can open your heart to Ten Cent Alfie, or would like more info on the other three ready to go, please get in touch with us at adopt@notodogmeat.com

Let’s finish 2025 with a pawsome ending. He started as a penny, let’s give him the jackpot.

Thank you, everyone.

Julia and all the team @notodogmeat in China

Press board photos and video on request

Press@notodogmeat.com

0300 302 0326

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Personal Message from Julia

Hi everyone

I wanted to share a personal message with you. I have been back at the base in China this month, and it’s full of mixed emotions. Deep sadness knowing some of our rescues have passed away without knowing loving homes and great joy to meet some old friends, including some of my Yulin rescues, I thought would not make it.

I wanted to update you on Mary, our pitbull. Not only is she alive and safe, but she is also. She is thriving.

To remind you of her story:

When I was in Yulin with Mr Zhao and the Judge, we went to some horrific dog farms hidden in the hills behind the city—lawless places with dirt-track roads and no signage. On one of them, we met Mary, chained by her neck in a rusty cage and forced to give birth over and over. Her newborn was beside her in the cage, and the farmer who fed them on rotting rice told us in a few months he would be slaughtered and sold as dried meat ‘ bacon’ strips.

It was the eve of the festival, and he was reluctant to let us take even a few of the males. He told us to come back in two days, and he would let us take the unsold dogs. But, he said, he would never release Mary, his only breeder.

These words pained my heart, which was already broken by the suffering I had seen at Yulin. It was sweltering heat, and there was not even a bowl of water in sight.

We discussed Mary between us, and Mr Zhao told me that as a pitbull, we faced imprisonment if they caught us transporting her across county lines. I didn’t want to make life more complicated, but I couldn’t leave without her.

So I did something I believe we all should do: I prayed. I prayed for mercy from our eternal mother Mary.

As we went back that dawn, the farmer had prepared four males, and he agreed to let us take her pup. We were miserable. This didn’t feel like a victory. But then, as we were loading the dogs in our blacked-out van, he shouted down to us. We couldn’t hear him at first, so Mr Zhao climbed back up the muddy path. “ I hope she has a better life”, he was shouting, and before we knew it, he handed her over.

It all went so fast, but for a split second, I felt change and redemption were possible.

Painfully thin and full of parasites, she squashed into the cage with the others, and we drove the long 22-hour journey back to Hebei, where they and our other rescues were hospitalised. I visited her every morning and night to clean her wounds and feed her. The hospital staff were terrified of her.

It was at that moment that I decided to name her Mary. She is our mother miracle.

Slowly, she began to recover, and after I left, she was put into our base in the brand-new kennels we had built for this year’s rescues.

I couldn’t believe it as I came back into the sub-zero temperature to find she was the first face I saw. Her tail was running at a hundred miles an hour. I opened her kennel and let her run free. She is joyful, playful, fat and gorgeous. My heart felt overrun with gratitude, and I am convinced that, whatever your faith and beliefs, the power of prayer works.

And as for her pup, little Maurice. Well, you can see from the photos below how big this ‘ little fella’ has become.

I will update you more in our own special Pawmas newsletters over the next few days, and please follow us on social media to see our videos.

I would like to ask if you can buy one of our Christmas calendars to help fund our work and donate to our heating appeal if you can afford to. We only have 5 days’ worth of fuel left.

Thank you, everyone.

 

Julia and all the team @notodogmeat in China

 

Press board photos and video on request

Press@notodogmeat.com

0300 302 0326

  

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Buy a Calendar and Support Our Work

Hi everyone

We have a lovely calendar for 2026 featuring our rescues.

To purchase please click the relevant link for your country:

UK

USA

EU

You do not need a paypal account as the link also accepts credit or debit cards and Apple Pay.

You can also call us on 0300 302 0326

Thanks for your support

 

Our Lovely 2026 Calendar

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  1. Personal Message from Julia – NoToDogMeat Blog

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The Golden Boy

This is Loimu (previously known as Stefan). He was rescued from an animal hospital in China along with other dogs and cats who were treated cruelly. They were planned to be dumped into dog meat traders once they were no longer of use, and he was specifically used as an unwilling donor for his blood.

Loimu is one of the lucky few who made it out alive and got a home far away from China. His golden fur is like a shining beacon of hope, cutting through the darkness of his past. He is not only beautiful externally, but internally as well: Loimu is incredibly kind, gentle and trusting of people regardless of his past. This is because of the hard work that volunteers put into socializing him and making him realize that not all people are evil.

Despite his past, he is gentle with children and cats, breaking the myth that rescues are not suitable for households with small children or other animals. He now gets to live out a life he deserves as a loved family member with his dog and cat sister in Finland.

But so many beautiful souls are waiting in China, ready to be adopted and get the life they deserve as well. When you adopt, you are not only saving a life, but also making yours that much more meaningful: there is nothing better than seeing an abused animal getting to enjoy their life in peace and comfort.

Thousands of dogs just like him are destined to go to Yulin every single year. Let’s not turn a blind eye to this but raise awareness and fight to put and end to it all together.

3 replies

  1. Angela Fry
    26 Jun 2025 • 11:27 am

    Hope for this golden boy that a lifetime of happiness awaits him.❤️

    Reply ↓
  2. Niggel-Nagelmüller Eva
    26 Jun 2025 • 6:54 pm

    I am very sorry for the poor animals and I do not understand, why people can be so cruel.

    Reply ↓
  3. Sarah
    30 May 2026 • 7:05 am

    Without you guys none of these rescues would be possible, I will always support what your doing for these beautiful animals thank you ❤️

    Reply ↓

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News from Yulin 2025

Anti-dog meat campaigner horrified stunned after visiting China which has thriving trade in the animals

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A Personal Account From Long Term Supporter and Friend of NoToDogMeat

A Personal Account from Julie, in her own words.

Julie Gledhill

Let me start by saying, I’m completely obsessed with dogs. I love them. If there’s a dog around, I’ll probably greet them before I even say hello to you!

I know so many of you find it incredibly difficult when you see the extent of this trade too. I’ve seen the videos and the pictures, but I understand that it’s not easy to confront the harsh reality of such cruelty. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or devastated. You might scroll by quickly or close the news app because just the thought of it feels impossible to bear. And that’s OK. It’s a natural response, one rooted in compassion. I empathise with you, and this is why I say this: for every ounce of sorrow caused by humans in this world, there’s someone out there working tirelessly to counteract the pain, someone striving to make a difference, advocating for the end of cruelty in countless ways across the world. I urge you to find it in your heart to seek out these people who give you hope and support them.

I didn’t learn about the dog meat trade until the rise of social media. Honestly, I was completely naive to the idea that anyone could ever see a dog as anything other than a companion. I’ll never forget the first video I saw—the face of a dog being subjected to unimaginable suffering at the hands of humans. It was then that I quickly learned the extent of the dog meat trade, and I found myself exposed to content that shattered my heart into a million pieces.

This is what led me to NoToDogMeat.

Every year in China, a so-called ‘festival’ is held in Yulin, where countless people gather to consume dog meat. This event is rooted in cultural beliefs that perpetuate torture and suffering, with its foundations built on cruelty.

NoToDogMeat was actively in Yulin during this time, working tirelessly to expose the trade, rescue dogs, and rehabilitate as many as possible, saving them from the hands of traders. NoToDog Meat attends Yulin every year.

Honestly, I could not endure witnessing the horrors of the dog meat trade first-hand in any country where it exists.

The scale of how many dogs and cats will lose, and have already lost, their lives is unimaginable.

The reports coming from NoToDogMeat have exposed the unspeakable cruelty endured, the trader’s hostility toward rescuers, and the immense risks involved when standing up to a minority who view their efforts as a threat. I followed them from that very moment.

The dog meat trade extends beyond Yulin. Thousands of dogs lose their lives every day. Yulin is just another day in the war against ending this trade.

I’ll never forget the footage shared by Julia, the founder of NoToDogMeat, inconsolable as she stood in front of the dogs caged and awaiting slaughter. One dog raised their paw, just like my dog Oscar does in hopes of a treat. At that moment, I honestly felt like I would have fallen in defeat.

It’s hard to be part of a world where such cruelty exists. But if you ever needed to see strength, truly defined, that was it for me. Julia’s resilience in the face of such horror is a reminder that NoToDogMeat will face adversity yet still strive to conquer.

If I’m going to support a charity that rescues dogs, I believe it’s crucial to see real action — not just an Instagram post. Maybe it’s also the courage I so deeply wish I could find myself. I want to see tangible efforts and a true commitment to making a difference.

NoToDogMeat embodies this mission wholeheartedly.

It’s easy to condemn an entire country based on the actions of a minority. I’ve been guilty of this. I became so consumed by the horrors of trade, that I failed to recognise change also comes from within.

I see allyship as one of NoToDogMeat’s biggest attributes. Working and building relationships with those who reside in dog meat trade countries, and who also want to see an end to this horrific practice, is a crucial part of the effort. NoToDogMeat is not just about rescuing animals; it’s about empowering local communities and fostering collaboration. Something I once saw as impossible when you’re up against changing generational views, something that left me once feeling hopeless.

I don’t know if I’d ever have the amount of valour needed as NoToDogMeat does, the same level of resilience and strength to keep returning to China every year, to persevere with rescuing when so many are awaiting homes. To keep going when you witness such cruelty that’s etched in your mind forever.

I need to believe that for every dog lost to this trade, others survive with a chance.

They never give up, coming up against the worst of the worst, they never give up.

julia de Cadenet
Julia de Cadenet in China

1 reply

  1. Steve
    20 Apr 2025 • 9:37 pm

    Such an amazing charity, doing horrendously difficult work. Glad to be a supporter ❤️.
    Thanks for sharing, Julie.

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