To so many of us dog lovers in the United States, our canine companions are both our best friends and beloved family members. But in other cultures, dogs are sometimes captured, killed, and then consumed. Which not only puts innocent animals at risk, but spreads rabies like crazy.
That’s why, shutting down a dog meat slaughterhouse in Vietnam is such a huge victory for Humane Society International.
Much to our dismay, there is a market for dog meat. Not everyone sees canines as companion animals, but rather, as a means to make a profit. Sadly, dogs go missing all the time in Vietnam, and families are left wondering what happened to their beloved best friends.
Every year, five million dogs are stolen from their family or are snatched from the street to be slaughtered for human consumption. And Vietnam kills more dogs for their meat than any other country in Southeast Asia. Which is exactly why Humane Society International is working so hard to shut down dog slaughterhouses.
In fact, earlier this month, Humane Society International managed to locate a slaughterhouse, shut it down, and spare 18 beautiful babies from being on someone’s plate. The slaughterhouse had been butchering 10-15 dogs every day for the past five years. But the owner had a change of heart, and was ready to surrender his remaining dogs, and shut down for good.
“I know in my heart that killing and eating dogs is wrong, and it was becoming harder and harder for me to do it,” said the owner.
He said that he felt that being part of the dog meat trade was “bringing his family bad karma,” and that he was relieved to now be working with Humane Society International. He’s now the first former slaughterhouse owner in Vietnam to be part of HSI’s Models for Change program, which helps people transition out of the detestable and dangerous dog meat trade.
Not only does the dog meat trade pose a threat to dogs all throughout the country, but it also puts humans at risk.
“The dog meat trade is not only unbelievably cruel but also poses a grave risk to human health from transmitting potentially lethal diseases like rabies,” said Phuong Tham, Humane Society International’s country director in Vietnam.
Now, all 18 dogs that were surrendered are destined for a future that’s filled with lots of love. First, they will receive the medical care they desperately need and then they will be off to loving homes. They will finally be living the life they truly deserve!
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