Ending China's dog and cat meat trade

Globally, an estimated 30 million dogs and 10 million cats are slaughtered annually for human consumption. Of these, approximately 10 million dogs and 4 million cats are killed each year in China alone. 

A significant portion of the dog and cat meat trade in China is linked to criminal activity, including pet theft and strays abducted from the streets, in addition to animals transported across provincial borders without legally required vaccination and health certificates. On their journey to slaughterhouses, dogs and cats are crammed into wire cages and transported for hours or days, with many suffering from dehydration, injuries, suffocation and heatstroke, some even dying before arrival. Although the scale of this suffering is immense, eating dog and cat meat is not widespread in China. The majority of the population does not consume it, and of those who do, many have only tried it once or twice in their lifetime. Dog meat consumption primarily occurs in three regions: South China, Central China and Northeast China, although dogs and cats are taken from all over the country for the trade. 

Supporting Chinese animal groups 

Humane World for Animals partners with Vshine, a well-respected animal protection organization in North China. Vshine operates two shelters for dogs, cats and other animals, including those rescued from the meat trade. Through Vshine’s extensive network of partner groups and shelters, we amplify efforts to combat the dog and cat meat trade across multiple regions of China. Our strategy includes supporting Chinese animal protection groups that are campaigning, conducting public education and hands-on rescue operations, with the goal of bringing an end to the trade. 

Rescue efforts 

For over a decade, Humane World for Animals has supported the rescue of thousands of dogs and cats from the meat trade through our partnerships with Chinese activists, including Vshine. Chinese activists liaise with local police to pull over trucks illegally trafficking dogs and cats on their way to slaughter, and work with law enforcement when illegal dog slaughterhouses are discovered. These animals are largely illegally acquired and illegally transported across provincial borders without the required paperwork. After being confiscated, animals are brought to Vshine's shelter or to partner shelters in China for care and local adoption.   

Yulin festival 

Although dog markets and slaughterhouses exist across China, the slaughter of dogs and cats during the annual summer solstice event in Yulin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has become a symbol of the immense cruelty of the nationwide trade that sadly takes place all year round. Initially launched in 2010 by local traders to boost dog meat sales, the event has faced widespread national and international outrage. 

Though marketed as a local “festival,” 87.5% of Yulin’s residents  never or rarely consume dog or cat meat. Thanks to efforts by Humane World for Animals and partner groups, the scale of the event has diminished in recent years. Public displays of slaughter have been restricted, and authorities have cracked down on dog meat advertisements, signalling progress in the fight against the trade. Read more here about our work to end Yulin cruelty.  

Legal and legislative progress 

Several countries and regions across Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of Indonesia, have already banned the dog and cat meat trade. Ending the trade in China is a realistic goal, although progress has been slow. Notably, in 2020, the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai implemented bans on dog and cat meat consumption, and China's Ministry of Agriculture officially reclassified dogs as companion animals rather than livestock. Local Chinese animal welfare groups continue to advocate for nationwide legislation to ban the dog and cat meat trade. In the future, there is hope that the National People’s Congress will introduce animal welfare laws that will help to bring an end to this trade. 

Our partnership with Vshine 

Humane World for Animals’ official partner group in China is called Vshine, an extremely active, capable and well respected animal protection organization based in north China with whom we have been proud to work for many years.  

Together, we have led joint campaigns against the dog and cat meat trade and broader animal cruelty, collaborated on petitions in response to animal cruelty incidents, advocated for law enforcement in dog and cat meat-related cases, and provided support for post-rescue care for animals in need. With funding support from Humane World for Animals, Vshine has carried out large-scale highway rescues of dogs and cats destined for slaughter, facilitated the shutdown of slaughterhouses, assisted in government-led criminal investigations, and launched impactful public education campaigns. Our support has also enabled Vshine to help restaurants transition to “dog-meat free” operations and conduct outreach initiatives that encourage the public to report illegal dog and cat meat sales.  

Under China's 2017 Foreign NGO Law, foreign NGOs like Humane World for Animals must register with the Chinese government and partner with a local organization to operate within the country. Vshine serves as our official partner, which means our activities are focused in north China where Vshine is registered.  

Those activities currently include liaising with cities in China to ban their local dog and cat meat trade, engaging with key players to gain support for an end to dog and cat meat, as well as raising public awareness about the cruelty and risks associated with the trade. Our partner also works closely with enforcement agencies, providing training and support to carry out dog and cat transportation confiscations. Last year alone, they helped rescue over 184 dogs destined for slaughter and continue to operate their own shelter for animals saved from the trade.  

While the dog and cat meat trade issue in China is complex, Humane World for Animals is pursuing both short-term actions and long-term strategies to achieve lasting change. With over 100 million companion animals in China’s cities and growing opposition among younger generations and pet owners, we are hopeful. Change is not only possible, but it is already underway.