This Puppy was Saved from Dog Meat Festival in China

By Deidre Grieves | Pet360.com
The Yulin Dog Meat Festival, which takes place in China every year during the summer solstice, is a gruesome event where residents eat the meat from stray dogs. This year's festival went on as planned, despite many animal rights activists taking to the streets to protest the cruel and inhumane event.

It is estimated that 10,000 dogs are killed every year to supply the Chinese dog meat trade. But a few of those dogs that were destined for the slaughterhouse survived thanks to one incredible activist.

Dr. Peter Li, Humane Society International's China specialist, rescued two puppies from a cage on the back of a motorcycle. They dogs were being brought to the trading market, but Li stepped in and offered to buy the dogs from a restaurant owner.

Though the animal rescuer wanted to save all of the dogs, Li focused on the two puppies and knew that if he could bring these dogs to safety, his mission would be a success.

"They were like furballs. I could not imagine that they were brought to the live dog market," wrote Lion the HSI website. "How could we slaughter puppies and eat them? Once we held them in our arms, they were so quiet, as if they knew they were in good and loving hands."

Li brought the dogs to a boarding facility run by an animal lover and checked on their condition daily. They were examined by a vet, and Li went all the way to Nanning to get vaccination certificates for the dogs. Li eventually made it to Bejing with the puppies.

The dogs, named Scout and Colby, have now found loving homes. Scout was brought over to the U.S. and adopted by Leslie Barcus, and animal lover and HSI board member. Barcus has two other dogs and told the Huffington Post that Scout is "getting lessons in dogness."

Li decided to take in Colby and will give the dog-who escaped a truly tragic fate-an amazing new life.

The Humane Society is campaigning to end the dog meat trade worldwide. Hopefully every animal lover gets behind the effort so that innocent, sweet dogs like Colby and Scout can have the lives they deserve.

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