‘Dirty business’: China dog slaughterhouse shuts down ahead of controversial Yulin festival

A dog slaughterhouse owner in southern China has closed his facility and begun transitioning to a new livelihood with support from animal advocates, just days before the start of the annual controversial Yulin-dog-meat-festival" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="144473" data-entity-type="event">Yulin dog meat festival.Launched by local traders in 2010, the Yulin festival, held annually around late June in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is widely regarded as a commercial campaign to boost sales rather than a long-standing tradition. It has long been condemned for animal cruelty, the theft of pets, illegal transport, and public health risks, with around 3,000 dogs reportedly killed for human consumption during the festival, which typically spans about 10 days.On June 7, a slaughterhouse owned by a man using the pseudonym Huang was shut down under a legally binding agreement with animal protection groups after he had killed more than 15,000 dogs since its opening.The workstation formerly used for slaughtering dogs is now empty following the exit of the individual involved in this trade. Photo: Humane World for AnimalsThe site supplied dog carcasses to restaurants and markets during the Yulin event, with June reportedly accounting for 70 per cent of its annual revenue.Nine dogs were rescued from the property, including three still wearing collars.The closure was led by China’s Vshine Animal Protection Association, with support from the international charity Humane World for Animals.Huang is considering starting a breakfast business selling rice porridge, fried dough, and steamed buns.Reflecting on nearly two decades in the dog meat trade, Huang described it as a “dirty business” and stated that declining demand had made it increasingly difficult to sustain.Leaving the trade for a more stable income was a relief, he said, adding: “I am looking forward to a peaceful life.”Volunteers are clearing the property and rescuing dogs, including three that still wore collars when the dog meat vendor ceased operations. Photo: Humane World for AnimalsThe rescued dogs have been taken to a shelter in Beijing, where they will be vaccinated and sterilised before being made available for adoption.As of publication, no other Yulin dog meat vendors had commented on the closure.This is the first known case in Yulin of a dog slaughterhouse being closed through a livelihood conversion programme.Huang stated that more dog meat businesses in the city might close if similar support were available.Further ReadingJulie Sanders, director of Humane World for Animals’ End Dog and Cat Meat campaign, shared with the SCMP that, contrary to international perceptions, most Yulin residents do not eat, buy, trade-in, or support dog meat.“By helping traders transition into safer, legal, and sustainable livelihoods, Yulin could become a model for ending the dog and cat meat trade and encourage similar action across China,” Sanders said.A sick dog was rescued from a truck headed to the Yulin-dog-meat-festival" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="144473" data-entity-type="event">Yulin dog meat festival at an improvised shelter near Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Photo: EPA/Aleksandar PlavevskiSimilar livelihood conversion efforts have been carried out elsewhere in Asia, including South Korea, where animal groups have helped dog farmers switch to vegetable and herb cultivation. The country has since passed a ban on dog meat, with violators facing up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won (HK$20,000) once a grace period ends in February 2027.In China, however, enforcement remains hampered by the trade’s sprawling grey-market networks and the lack of a national ban.Humane World for Animals estimates that about 10 million dogs and 4 million cats are killed for meat in China each year, many of which are stolen pets, guard animals, or strays taken from the streets.While China has no nationwide ban on eating dogs or cats, regulations have gradually tightened. In 2020, both animals were excluded from the country’s livestock catalogue, and Shenzhen and Zhuhai introduced local bans on their consumption.The rescued dogs are being sent to a Beijing shelter for vaccinations and sterilisation before adoption. Photo: Humane World for AnimalsWithout a nationwide ban, enforcement remains fragmented and largely dependent on food safety, animal disease control, and local administrative rules.The Yulin slaughterhouse closure comes amid mounting concern over animal welfare in China, following a series of attacks on pet dogs that triggered public outrage online.In one case on May 21, a Shiba Inu waiting for its owner in southwest China’s Sichuan province was shot with a crossbow, stolen, and sold to a dog dealer; the suspect has since been arrested.Days later, actor Wang Qiang posted that his family dog had been deliberately slashed in a field. Efforts to identify the attacker were hindered by limited surveillance in the village.