About 1,000 dogs have been saved from being brutally slaughtered at this year’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival, and they have Marc Ching to thank.
Founder of the Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, the organization has been posting frequent Facebook updates as this group continues to put their lives and hearts on the line for one purpose: to save as many dogs as they can from being tortured to death for the entertainment of “festival” attendees.
Ching even shared this live video with his followers, a behind-the-scenes look at a heroic rescue:
According to the rescue’s Facebook page, Ching has received some skepticism as to whether the figure of 1,000 saved dogs is accurate. He posted on June 23rd:
There is an email circulating claiming that we only rescued 400 dogs when we have verified, and can prove over a 1000 dogs. I documented everything because I knew there would be people that would circulate lies about our work. We know all the locations and groups who helped us with the dogs, and where they are at.
What I do not understand is – we are all supposed to be on the same side. I did not come to Yulin to even rescue dogs. I came to temporarily shut slaughterhouses down.
In a post from June 25th, he explained the emotional sacrifice that he’s made to complete these rescues that have been met with some criticism:
I left my wife and children seven times. And in each moment before I crossed that plane into that divide, I told them with tears in my eyes that if I died, I hope they would understand my sacrifice.
have had the tip of a gun pushed into my mouth. I have been hospitalized, shot at, beat up six times. Held hostage. But still I returned.
In doing so I destroyed myself. My life. My family. And my soul. Only to be criticized. Only to be persecuted for rescuing the one thing rescues are supposed to save, lives.
There is no happiness in what I do. The sun does not shine when I look into the sky. I am so messed up that I am having a hard time living my life. But still I pick myself up. Still I put my heart back into my mouth.
It is not a rarity for people who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals, including shelter workers and veterinarians, to become depressed. Imagine the horrific things they must witness, and the awareness that although there is so much pain in the world, but it is impossible to heal it all.
Ching says that the Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation has saved an incredible 1,000 dogs. But even if he “only” saved 400 dogs–even if it was just one dog–the sacrifices he and his team have made are absolutely heroic, and they send a message of inspiration and hope: people are angry and they are taking action.
As awareness continues to spread, this year’s 10-day Yulin festival has been met with the most opposition yet. Worldwide, millions have signed anti-Yulin petitions, international leaders have urged Chinese government to put a stop to this horrific “tradition,” and incredible groups like the Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, Humane Society International, even angered locals in China, are doing what they can to save innocent dogs from the meat trade.
To the people who’ve put themselves on the front lines by journeying to Yulin to save lives: THANK YOU. You are true heroes, and you give us hope. Together, we can stop this torture.
Want to help? Here’s what you can do:
–Share this video. It’s hard to watch, but if we turn a blind eye, this torturous practice will just keep happening
–Sign this petition to stop Yulin
–Donate to groups who save animals from the dog meat trade, like Humane Society International and Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation
–Rescue a dog from the dog meat trade. The Soi Dog Foundation specializes in adoptions of dogs saved from meat farms. Also, keep up on stories of dogs rescued from meat farms–often they are brought to different rescues in the US and Canada, where they can be adopted.
–Use your voice while benefitting rescue efforts. With the purchase of any of our anti-Yulin products, you’ll provide food and care for shelter dogs or those rescued from the meat trade.
