Dogs rescued from China – with pure love

Dogs rescued from China – with pure love

3 October 2018

THE dramatic rescue of dogs from a Chinese slaughterhouse is gathering pace — and those behind this extraordinary tale of pet rescue want your help.

Earlier this year, three dogs rescued from horrendous conditions in China made their homes in Down.

Casey, Roxie and Freddie were the first dogs ever rehomed in Northern Ireland by the pet rescue charity, Doggy 911, following an online appeal for adopters.

They were first taken to safety by Chinese police after being discovered crammed into a lorry with 1,200 other dogs en route to the infamous Yulin food festival where 10,000 dogs are slaughtered every year. They were then transferred to an animal shelter to recover before travelling to their new families in Crossgar. Ballynahinch and Castlewellan.

The Castlewellan adopter of Freddie was Shakira Murray, who is now helping run the charity.

Doggy 911 is a small group of volunteers dedicated to assisting the Harbin SHS rescue group, which is based in Harbin in north-eastern China, find homes for rescued dogs in the UK and Ireland.

“Our charity has grown,” said Shakira. “In August our team flew out to China to help out with our sister rescue Harbin SHS and they then transported 18 dogs back to the UK and Ireland.

“I adopted another dog, a meat trade survivor, and we have a few others adopters from this rescue all over Co Down. We are always looking for any adopters and flight volunteers.”

Sharkira explained that it was a long and arduous process to bring Freddie and the other dogs to Co Down.

Due to malnourishment and disease, they were among just 600 dogs to survive the rescue effort of 1,200.

They were transferred to an animal rescue shelter to recover and following weeks of planning and successful home checks, volunteers left northern China with the four-legged trio last week for a five-day journey, by air and sea to their new homes.

Eating dogs is not illegal in China, but the lorry containing Freddie and co is thought to have been stopped by police due to the cruelty of dog deaths at the Yulin festival.

“It is utterly barbaric,” said Shakira. “I cannot understand it. Dogs are bludgeoned on the street and then skinned alive. They believe the adrenaline affects the texture of the meat.”

It wasn’t hard to persuade Shakira to offer Freddie a home when she first saw him on Facebook.

“As soon as I saw Freddie I fell in love with him,” she said. “He is getting on so well. He does not seem too traumatised by everything he has been through.”

Shakira said she had no idea of the scale of the problem in China and is now encouraging others to adopt and not shop.

True to her word, she now has another rescue dog from China at her Castlewellan home – three year-old Aurora, who recently joined Freddie.

August also saw Shakira joining the Doggie 911 rescue team team as a fundraiser.

“In August there were 18 dogs brought back to the UK and Ireland,” she said. “It’s 30 altogether.

“It’s quite a trip. When they make it to Paris the Doggy 911 representative meets the flight volunteer and then it’s the Eurotunnel to England and the ferry to Ireland.

“I was so apprehensive when I first adopted, but it was just an instant feeling of love with him when I met Freddie. Aurora is a different dog, more confident. She is bundle of fun and she loves her cuddles.

“We would love to hear from anyone who can help Doggy 911 to help more dogs.”

Anyone wishing to help as a volunteer or fundraiser can contact https://www.doggy911rescue.com/ or visit them on Facebook.