Some Asian cultures still believe the myth that adrenaline makes dog meat taste better and provides health benefits, which is why they promote a trade based on the belief that torturing and abusing the animal improves the quality of the food (Dog Meat Trade). The International Humane Society estimates that almost one million dogs are brutally killed for their fur or meat every year in China. Fortunately, animal rights activist groups and celebrities have taken action in the hope of seeing a future where animals are not tortured for money.
Marc Ching, founder of Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, discovered the China’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival in 2015, where approximately 10,000 dogs are tortured in an unacceptable and miserable manner, according to Humane Society International (HSI). These defenseless animals are victims of abuse and beatings; it is unquestionably extreme cruelty, followed by taking their lives and eating their meat. Marc received reports about this torture, but thought they were exaggerated and wanted to find out for himself how accurate the information was, so despite not speaking Cantonese or Mandarin, he traveled to China. After going to one of the slaughterhouses and risking his life, being able to rescue several dogs gave him even more motivation to continue a journey that would change his life forever. Since September 2015, Marc has made various trips to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea with the same goal: to pose as a dog meat buyer, visit slaughterhouses, and document the torture, while trying to rescue as many dogs as possible.
The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to rescue abused animals, with a strong focus on the (Dog Meat Trade) Dog Meat Trade throughout Asia. They provide veterinary care, shelter, rehabilitation, and work to find a loving family for each animal. What differentiates AHWF from other rescue organizations is that the animals they save have been beaten, neglected, mutilated, used to initiate gangs, or stolen from slaughterhouses in the Asian Dog and Cat Meat Trade.
AHWF believes in compassion, education, and legislation to guide hearts and minds toward a better future for animals.
The shelter and education center are located in Hunan in China, under the direction of Suki Su. Her family used to raise pigs many years ago and have converted the abandoned buildings where the pigs used to be housed into kennels. The dogs have parks and places to play. Once the dogs’ medical issues have been resolved and they have been fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered, they can be transported out of China, mostly to their main shelterin the U.S., inlocated in Sherman Oaks, California, runby Ellie Roberto. After arriving at the Foundation, all the dogs undergo rehabilitation while the staff prepares them for adoption.
The Sherman Oaks location (Los Angeles, USA) was where the Foundation began its journey: Marc Ching started with local cases of abuse and neglect and quickly traveled to different places, rescuing animals from slaughterhouses, markets, and farms. He and the Foundation are now globally recognized animal rights advocates who shed light on the world’s dark corners while promoting change, providing second chances, and teaching compassion through animals.
Over the past three years, they have saved thousands of dogs from neglect and abuse in throughoutAsia and the United States.
For the future, they have an education center in China and plan to hire a volunteer and an education coordinator so they can offer more local programs that teach people to love and care for dogs. If this is built, they will be able to establish local adoptions for graduates of their education programs and serve as ambassadors to spread kindness, care, and appreciation for dogs as pets and family members, creating a movement to make Hunan a dog-meat-free province. They also want to start a university scholarship fund for volunteers at their shelter in China who demonstrate a love for animals and leadership potential for the future of animal welfare.
How can you help?
They need help transporting each dog out of China, which costs approximately $ 1,000 per dog. If they are able to relocate the dogs, they can renovate the shelter to better accommodate operations and prepare for potential rescues. The renovation will include leveling the floors and repairing roof leaks so they can provide greater comfort and better health for the dogs and staff. Currently, the floors are uneven, and puddles form from leaks in the roofs, also causing constant dampness, skin problems, and coughing. Ideally, they would provide a clinical area where medical staff and equipment could be accommodated more comfortably to care for the animals. In addition, they need to prepare for the next rescue with medicines and supplies and encourage medical staff to travel and help. They are located in Sherman Oaks (USA) and in Hunan Province, China.
You can donate through:
1) Website: www.animalhopeandwellness.org
2) Facebook: the animal hope and wellness foundation.
Social media:
Facebook: Dogs of animal hope and wellness.
Instagram: #dogsofahwf and #animalhopeandwellness and #animalhopeinlegislation
Would you like to help?
Your ARISTOPERRO can help another ARISTOPERRO by donating its old collar.
Send it to ARISTOPET > calle Mercedes Formica, 40 | cp:28028 – Madrid, and we will give you a 10% discount so you can buy a new one.
For any questions, you can contact us at 900 820 450 or hola@aristopet.com