Ten Cent finally hit the jackpot

By NoToDogMeat on 30 May 2026 • ( 0 )

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