What can be done to rescue millions of dogs from slaughterhouses and dog meat shops in Vietnam?

Vu Phuong5-6 minutes July 15, 2023
At the end of 2022, the story of Mr. Dam The Hiep – the owner of a dog meat shop with 7 years of experience in Thai Nguyen, retiring and tearing down the sign to hand over 20 dogs to the rescue station – was widely shared on social networks. He admitted that he retired because he was haunted by seeing dogs preparing for slaughter with their front legs together and their heads bowed as if begging.

Breathing a sigh of relief after delivering 20 dogs to the rescue camp, he switched to growing tea, selling groceries, and trading in agricultural supplies with support for livelihood transformation from HSI Vietnam – an organization specializing in animal protection. object. 20 dogs were cared for for 4 months, then handed over to new owners who committed to adoption.

The dogs are cared for at the Rescue Station – Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry after being rescued from the slaughterhouse

Escaping from the cramped cage and the mental torture of witnessing their fellow humans being slaughtered, recently, Pow’s new owner – one of the 20 rescued dogs – updated that Pow is still safe in his new home. Loved and cared for by a kind host family.

Luna is also one of them. The day she was taken out of the mine, none of the volunteers knew that this “dog” was pregnant. Until the last days of the year, Luna gave birth to 6 beautiful puppies in warm care at the Rescue Station – Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry.

Must change perception!

Mr. Nguyen Vu Quang, HSI Vietnam Companion Animal Program Manager, said that dog rescue activities are only part of HSI’s activities to improve the welfare of companion animals in Vietnam.

The biggest goal that HSI as well as many other international organizations want to aim for is “A Vietnam that does not consume, trade, or slaughter dogs for meat purposes”.

In Vietnam, there are about 5 million dogs being trafficked and slaughtered

HSI

Mr. Quang acknowledged that rescuing a few of the approximately 5 million dogs slaughtered each year from the risk of being slaughtered and then connecting with animal-loving families to adopt them is like “a drop in the ocean.” “.

However, through this work, HSI hopes to contribute to changing people’s views and attitudes towards companion animals. In addition, this also enhances the image of Vietnam as friendly and civilized in the eyes of international friends.

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“HSI focuses on communication to change community behavior and habits; supporting state management agencies to improve policies and reduce the risk of rabies as well as activities related to trafficking.” , transporting and slaughtering dogs and cats; supporting livelihood transformation for business households related to dog and cat meat,” said a representative of HSI Vietnam.

From the perspective of activities related to the transformation model, Mr. Quang said that mobilizing the owner of the dog meat shop in Thai Nguyen to retire not only helped rescue 20 dogs at the slaughterhouse at that time, but also helped other dogs. in an area protected from slaughter. Activities related to this transformation model are well received by public opinion.

HSI will communicate the message of not eating dog and cat meat towards the younger generation

HSI

Talking about the results achieved after the operation period, HSI Vietnam representative said it was the recognition and participation of local authorities in efforts to reduce dog meat consumption.

Specifically, on June 26, 2023, Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee issued a decision approving the receipt of non-refundable aid from Humane Society International/USA for the project “Promoting companion animal welfare and reducing Minimize activities of buying, selling, transporting and slaughtering dogs and cats in Dong Nai province” chaired by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Dong Nai province. The project will be implemented from 2023 to 2025 throughout Dong Nai province.

A similar project in Thai Nguyen province is being submitted by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries for approval from the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen province.

According to the plan, from practical solutions in Dong Nai and Thai Nguyen, this organization will introduce a model for change, to encourage individuals and groups doing business related to livestock farming and purchasing. , transporting and slaughtering dogs and cats shifted to more humane businesses.

What do people in Ho Chi Minh City say about eating dog meat?

“We will focus on communicating with the message of not eating dog or cat meat in the community, especially in schools, and communicating about companion animal welfare to the community, especially towards the younger generation,” Mr. Nguyen Vu Optical information.

In addition, this animal protection organization also focuses on cooperating with management agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations with the same goal to enhance communication effectiveness, thereby changing the situation. people’s behavior regarding dog meat consumption.