ust recently and just down the road from our bear sanctuary in Chengdu, rescue centre staff from Qi Meng Shelter and Home of Love intercepted a truckload of around 800 dogs bound for the live-animal markets of the south. Animals Asia staff then began visiting both shelters, which are doing incredible work releasing the dogs from the cages, separating them in terms of gender, injury and disease and working around the clock to save as many lives as possible.

As with the dog and cat market investigation we conducted earlier in the year, many of the dogs are wearing collars, clearly socialised with people, and clearly stolen from their families — their cries as we leave the enclosures are heartbreaking.

The staff of Qi Meng are battling against the odds trying to source medications, volunteer staff and basic necessities, such as food, dog beds, cages and construction materials which will upgrade their bio-security and health protocols on site. Please click here for details of how you can help.