As UK breeders and rescue centres continue to see record demand for puppies and dogs alike, we continue to turn our attention to the huge numbers of Labradors and Golden Retrievers trapped within the brutal and barbaric Chinese meat trade.

Estimates suggest a shocking 10 million dogs are killed each year for meat in China alone.

Dogs of all sizes and breeds can find themselves victims of the meat trade. The majority found in Chinese slaughterhouses are pets or retired breeding dogs. Retrievers are not typically bred for their meat, yet are one of the meat trades most popular breeds.

Transport to the vile butchers involves being crammed into cages and driven for hours or sometimes days. They are often already in a state of great distress when they are taken; many endure broken limbs, wounds to the bone, bites from other scared dogs, and deadly viruses, such as, distemper, pneumonia and parvo. Some die before making it to the slaughterhouse, from shock, suffocation, dehydration and heatstroke.

For those that do survive the terrifying journey, sadly the terror does not end there. Once they arrive, they are forced to endure the most horrendous forms of abuse as they are tortured to death in front of each other. It is not uncommon for dogs to be bludgeoned, cut, beaten, amputated, skinned alive or thrown into boiling water. Footage from inside slaughterhouses, butchers and markets show it to be nothing more than callous abuse and the worst example of humanity.

We never say no to any dog that is in need of our help, whether in the UK or abroad, if we believe we can help them live a good life. Currently we have nearly 90 Labradors and Golden Retrievers (as well as a few other breeds!) in shelters in China, patiently waiting to be brought back to the UK.

Rehoming dogs locally in China is rarely possible and if achieved they are at risk of being stolen and returned to the system. Therefore relocating dogs from high-risk situations to areas with greater demand for adoption is a lengthy but essential part of our work.

Our volunteers often have to pay butchers thousands of pounds to free these animals. Once in our care, many are already suffering from various life-threatening diseases that require around the clock care to bring them back to full health.

For these dogs, we are their last hope.

As part of our work, we have already spent several years rehoming dogs from China, however the pandemic has only brought further challenges.

With enhanced border controls and ongoing travel restrictions, usual routes for transporting dogs out of the country have shut down. Spaces on remaining flights leaving China are proving impossible and come at a hugely increased cost in the thousands per dog, depending on weight and size.

This amounts to a staggering total cost in excess of £150,000 to ensure the safe arrival of all the dogs currently in our care, not to mention the costs of keeping the dogs safe and well in China.

After all their suffering, this is a price we are determined to pay to ensure they find a safe and loving home in the UK.

We believe saving just one dog wont change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog.

As a small charity, run entirely by volunteers, we simply cannot do this without you. Please donate to give these dogs the life they deserve.