US Dog Rescue Group Battle to Save Golden Retrievers in China

China Rescue Dogs is a charitable organization based in the US that aims to rescue and rehabilitate dogs that were destined for the meat trade in China. Once the dogs have been rescued, they are placed with loving homes located either in the US or in Canada. The organization acts quickly to remove the canines from immediate harm.

Then they go on to treat both the physical and psychological damage that the abusive and neglectful environment has inflicted on the dogs. The rescue teams work closely with selected dog shelters in China and with rescue centers in North America to arrange rehoming.

According to a recent press release, they are currently racing to save a large group of dogs who are destined for slaughter. In total, there are 26 adult Golden Retrievers and 22 Corgis along with many Golden Retriever pups who are stranded in Shanghai. An animal rescue center in that city contacted China Rescue Dogs asking for help. They had discovered the dogs at a breeding farm. All of the dogs were bred to be slaughtered for meat and were due to be sold as part of the Yolin Dog Meat Festival. This is a marketing ploy attempting to bolster China’s flagging dog meat market.

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Jill Stewart is the president and founder of China Rescue Dogs, and she described the environment in which the dogs were living, “The living conditions at this dog breed farm are just awful. It is heartbreaking that this breeder was going to just discard their entire inventory of dogs to be slaughtered. We had to do something. Doing nothing was not an option.”

A rescue effort was immediately launched and so far, 29 Golden Retrievers and their puppies have been rescued. In the latest update, the dogs are safe and are being treated by vets at a sanctuary. Sadly, there are still many Golden Retrievers and Corgis left at the farm and they are now the focus of the rescue organization’s attention.
Rescue missions in China are never easy but this one has been made more complex by COVID lockdowns in Shanghai and an importation ban to the US for dogs.