Across Asia, the brutal dog meat trade claims the lives of roughly 30 million dogs each year. To stop this horrible practice, various organizations around the world seek to shut these locations down when they find them and intercept dogs intended for slaughter.

In February 2021, 61 dogs were intercepted in Cambodia, their destination, a slaughterhouse in southeastern Cambodia.

Striking a blow against the dog meat trade

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Intercepted by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, the white van which contained the dogs was opened to reveal six tiny, rusted cages. Inside were crammed 61 dogs, piled on top of one another.

The dogs were mere miles away from being killed and used for food.

Four Paws

After the van was seized, the dogs were turned over to Four Paws, an international charity that works to find and protect animals in need around the world.

In operation for over 30 years, the organization operates in 15 countries and works with a variety of animals.

Clearly, they are good at what they do.

The organization worked to provide medical care for the dogs.

As a part of their initial rescue efforts, workers moved the cages into an enclosed area and released the captive dogs, allowing them to roam freely and stretch their cramped legs.

Efforts to stop the dog meat trade are ongoing

“This first-of-its-kind interception hopefully sends a loud and clear message to traffickers across Cambodia that future dog meat trading will no longer be tolerated,” Dr. Katherine Polak, veterinarian and head of Four Paws Stray Animal Care in Southeast Asia, said in a statement.

The dogs were given medical care

The dogs were healthy for the most part, with many of the older dogs suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. The younger pups, on the other hand, suffered from a variety of health concerns.

“It is unclear how long these dogs were in the van or at a holding area before being loaded onto the vehicle,” explained Dr. Polak. “All were extremely hungry, most likely not having eaten in days.”

Four Paws worked with two local charities, Paw Patrol Cambodia and Animal Rescue Cambodia, to provide the dogs the care the dogs needed. And while the seizure struck a blow to the dog meat trade in Cambodia, it is hardly enough to stop it completely.

Thankfully, they aren’t giving up.

Also, the slaughterhouse where these dogs were heading was closed down.

But while the closing of this slaughterhouse, one of the biggest in Cambodia, has struck a crucial blow against the illegal dog meat trade, there are still many more in operation in the country.

Sign the petition

Four Paws is working tirelessly for the day when the dog meat trade is closed down completely, including in nearby Vietnam and Indonesia, in addition to Cambodia.

Join the fight to shut down the dog meat trade for good, sign the petition.

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Sources: The Animal Rescue Site, Facebook – Four Paws