Undercover investigations by Animal Equality have revealed the extent of cruelty involved in the dog and cat meat trade, revealing the immense suffering these animals are forced to endure. They have also helped raise awareness of the problem and lead to increased pressure on governments to take action to end this trade.
Work on Animal Equality in China started in 2012 when the investigative team contacted local activists shed light on the dog and cat meat and fur trading industry.
China, Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam are just some of the countries that still allow the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat.
Although most people in China have stated that they do not eat these animals, It is estimated that more than 10 million dogs and about 4 million cats are killed for meat each year.
In some regions, you can easily find it sold in street markets, as well as in restaurants. For those who eat it, there is no difference between a dog’s thigh or another animal’s: For them, cats and dogs are food, as well as pets.
Dog meat costs about $4/lb, which is on average higher than meat for other animals, while cat meat is cheaper.
Our brave investigators have carried out an extensive investigation into live animal markets—live markets—where dogs and cats are sold to the highest bidder and slaughtered on the spot. These animals come from illegal farms or are kidnapped from their families and was confined for days in terrible conditions, with no water or food. These sensitive animals are then killed in front of each other in the most brutal ways.
Market, dog breeding and slaughterhouse:
This first investigation was followed by a second investigation into the Dali-Nanhai ‘Three Birds’ market in the Guangdong region and into two dog farms and a dog slaughterhouse. There is also Dong Hua Market in central Beijing.
During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, local authorities urged restaurants in the city not to sell dog and cat meat, causing a drastic drop in dog meat consumption.
However, Dog and cat meat continues to be served.
Some of the dog meat sold in these places comes from slaughterhouses in Shandong province, where we managed to infiltrate with a ruse.
Many dogs in kennels still wear collarsevidence that until recently they were loved by their families and showed how common their stealing behavior was.
Our investigators also saw puppies—just a few weeks old—closed in small cageswaiting to be sold to another barn specializing in “fattening” these animals.
When these puppies reach the desired weight, they will be slaughtered directly on the farm without any form of anesthesia, without going through the slaughterhouse.
Investigators risked their lives to collect these imagesbut it was worth it because, with their work, we achieved a completely unexpected result…
RESPECT YOUR FRIENDSHIP
As loyal friends, dogs and cats have been loved by humans for thousands of years. Protect these ancient ties by replacing animal foods with plant-based products.
Initial victory: Closing the slaughterhouse and 33 dealers of dog and cat meat:
In October 2013, news of a great victory we will remember forever.
33 retail outlets of dog and cat meat at the “Three Birds” market in Dali and a dog slaughterhouse closed by the Chinese government following our investigation, conducted with Chinese activists from the Guangzhou Volunteer Center and other animal welfare organisations.
The footage obtained by our investigators was used by the authorities to denounce the illegal tradeviolation of biosecurity regulations, lack of vaccines and certificates of origin for dogs (as most of these animals come from the street or are stolen from their families by traffickers).
During the raid, police seized more than 600 dogs and cats in poor condition—all of which were immediately protected by local groups.
The Nam Hai government also closed a slaughterhouse located near the market were used by merchants to supply local restaurants. During the police intervention, more than a hundred dogs were found in cages, many injured and dehydrated, while others unfortunately died.
Video of closing retail establishments and slaughtering dogs and cats broadcast around the world, reaching the homes of millions of people.
Dogs and cats are skinned to become bags, toys and clothes:
In October 2013, Animal Equality investigators infiltrated two other slaughterhouses in the Shandong region, documenting the killing and skinning of dogs—a death accompanied by extreme pain and suffering.
Dogs and cats used as goods would be stunned with violent blows to the head, then slit their throats. Many people wake up only to bleed to death, painful for many minutes.
In addition to dog and cat meat, their fur and skin are also coveted by some in China, used to make bags, clothes and even toys.
At a market in Guangzhou, Canton province, vendors sold rugs made from dog and cat fur for a few yen. In a store in Beijing, Our investigators found children’s clothing and toys featuring dogs, cats, etc. made from their fur..
These products, often deliberately labeled as ‘rabbit fur’, easily cross international borders and are sold in stores around the world.
New footage of the dog and cat meat trade in 2020:
In response to the spread of COVID-19 and the fresh market controversy, the Chinese government removed dogs from the list of animals considered ‘farm animals’. but never explicitly banned the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat.
For this reason, after the vague statements of the Chinese Government, Our investigators are back in China in the spring of 2020 to collect New videos show that the trade in these animals really never stops.
