This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

The brutal killings of animal companions by epidemic prevention workers in China in a misguided attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 have led to global shock and outrage. There are far more effective things the country can do to prevent and stop the spread of diseases, including banning wet markets and the dog meat trade — especially as we approach the start of the Yulin dog meat festival in June.

In November 2021, home security footage shared on Chinese social media by a corgi's guardian after she was taken into quarantine showed workers dressed in hazmat suits entering her home, and one striking her cowering dog with a crowbar before they all moved off-camera — all while the guardian pleaded with them not to hurt her dog through a microphone. This was after she had been promised nothing would happen to her dog while she was sequestered at a nearby hotel. Workers were also seen leaving with a yellow plastic bag, and local government officials confirmed the dog had been killed.

The horrific incident sparked an outcry on Chinese social media as others feared the same fate, and still further around the world as the story traveled, but the killings of animal companions have not stopped, and more continue to make headlines as China works toward zero-COVID.

Lockdowns and quarantines remain in effect, and guardians being forced into quarantine face the difficult decision of leaving their companions or letting them loose to give them a chance to survive. Rescuers are mobilizing to help people and the animals they love, but they're facing hefty bureaucratic barriers.

The larger enduring issues of animal cruelty and halting the spread of zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19, should both be addressed and could be with animal welfare laws that are enforced and by passing a ban on dog meat consumption — particularly as we approach the usual time of year for the Yulin dog meat festival in June.

Despite growing opposition from dedicated animal activists in China, this festival has continued to take place annually, killing thousands of dogs, including many who were stolen from their families. They're transported in filthy, overcrowded conditions without access to food or water before being brutally killed for customers.

These types of unhygienic wet markets, which exist in many countries including the U.S., pose a serious threat of spreading diseases. When it comes to the dog meat trade, the World Health Organization has tied it to a number of diseases in humans, including cholera, trichinellosis, and rabies. Eating dog meat also poses the risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella and puts people at risk of consuming meat from dogs who were killed with poison.

The cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai have already acted to ban the consumption of dog meat, while China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs formally announced that dogs are now considered companions, and are no longer classified as “livestock.” Consumption of dog meat should not be allowed following this change.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Protect animals and safeguard public health by banning the dog and cat meat trade

Like many of your country’s citizens, I am very disheartened to learn that animal companions are being brutally killed by epidemic prevention workers to stop the spread of COVID-19. Yet, at the same time, no action has been taken to ban the consumption of dog meat, which poses a serious risk to public health.  
 
Not only are residents losing their beloved companions over fears of COVID-19 transmission as lockdowns and quarantines continue, but many other dogs are becoming victims of the dog meat trade, particularly during the Yulin dog meat festival which begins in June.
 
The massive slaughtering of dogs perpetuates cruelty and poses a serious threat of spreading diseases. The World Health Organization has linked dog meat consumption to a number of diseases in humans, including cholera, trichinellosis, and rabies. Eating dog meat also poses the risk of contracting E.Coli and salmonella and puts people at risk of consuming meat from dogs who were killed with poison.  
 
Shenzhen and Zhuhai have already acted to ban the consumption of dog meat, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has formally announced that dogs are companions, and are no longer classified as “livestock.” Consumption of dog meat should not be allowed following this change. 
 
I stand with everyone in China who wants to see this change and respectfully urge you to put the welfare of animals and the wishes of your citizens who love their animal companions and have denounced the dog and cat meat trade above the profits of a few.  
 
Thank you for your kind consideration of this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.