A global charity has released heartbreaking images of catastrophic flooding at its Chinese shelter.

The NoToDogMeat charity cares for 500 dogs at the facility in Hebei, but when unprecedented heavy rain caused flooding in the province the shelter was badly hit.

Authorities have urged shelter workers to leave the dogs and head to safety, but shelter manger Qin Xi Zhao has vowed to stay at the centre and help save lives.

Mr Zhao, whose NoTodogMeat team recently saved 60 animals from the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, said: “There are too many dogs to evacuate so I will have to stay here and care for them. The government has ordered people to evacuate but I can’t just run away without them.”

Worrying footage from the shelter shows frightened dogs, clinging to items of furniture and taking shelter in higher parts of flooded rooms.

One dog stares directly at the camera as if pleading for help.

Julia de Cadenet, who founded the NoToDogMeat charity which holds United Nations Special Consultative Status, said: “This is a living nightmare. These dogs have endured so much, and now, in their place of safety are suffering again.

“We are doing everything we can to keep the water at bay, but fears are high as it is due to get worse.”

Days of heavy rain in Hebei have to date left nine people dead and six missing.

The flooding is the result of typhoon Doksuri, and the ordeal, which has affected 540,000 people began on Thursday last week.

Julia added: “We are praying that the lives of our dogs, and our brave volunteers will be spared, this is utterly catastrophic for our small charity.”

***UPDATES TO FOLLOW***

To donate to NoToDogMeat go to www.notodogmeat.com

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