Key facts
- A dog slaughterhouse in southern China has closed.
- The closure was supported by animal protection groups.
- The facility supplied dog carcasses for the Yulin festival.
- The owner had killed over 15,000 dogs since the facility opened.
- Nine dogs were rescued from the property.
- The owner plans to start a new business.
A dog slaughterhouse owner in southern China has closed his facility and is transitioning to a new livelihood with support from animal advocates, just days before the start of the annual Yulin dog meat festival. The Yulin festival, held annually around late June in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has been condemned for animal cruelty, theft of pets, illegal transport, and public health risks, with approximately 3,000 dogs reportedly killed for consumption during the event.
On June 7, the slaughterhouse, owned by an individual using the pseudonym Huang, was shut down following a legally binding agreement with animal protection groups. Huang had reportedly killed over 15,000 dogs since the facility opened. The site supplied dog carcasses to restaurants and markets, with June accounting for an estimated 70 percent of its annual revenue. Nine dogs were rescued from the property, including three that were wearing collars.
The closure was spearheaded by China’s Vshine Animal Protection Association, with assistance from the international charity Humane World for Animals. Huang is now considering starting a breakfast business.