Rescuing dogs from the Chinese meat trade

I have recently become more involved with local Leicester vegan groups and have met some truly incredible people, one of whom is Abbie Gomersall, a 23-year-old trainee geography teacher from Leicester. Abbie has been vegan for one year and one month, because as she puts it, “the thought of contributing to unnecessary suffering of other beings breaks my heart. People need to know the truth about what is on their plate.”

Earlier this year Abbie took a trip to China to help rescue dogs from the meat trade, and ended up making a total 3 separate trips in 2018, helping rescue, rehabilitate and fly back dogs to the UK. In this interview, Abbie gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to do this type of volunteer work, and how you can get involved.

What have your trips to China been like? 

So, my initial trip was in April of this year and I was only in Harbin (China) for five days. There were 10 of us volunteering over there that week – 8 from the USA, me from the UK and one from the Netherlands. We spent our time at vets’ clinics, socialising dogs at the safe house and cleaning or visiting other local shelters in the area. At the end of the week, we flew a total of over 40 dogs out of China to their forever homes all over the world.

Shortly after taking this trip I decided that I wanted to spend my summer volunteering with Slaughter House Survivors (Harbin SHS). For this trip I was in Harbin for seven weeks. I don’t even know how I would put this trip into words but I’ll give it a go! So initially I would spend time walking dogs that were receiving treatment in the vets’ clinics (SHS use four in total) or I would sit with the dogs keeping them company. I used to sit with one of our dogs named Cat and watch love island. She was going blind due to distemper so would just enjoy laying on my chest. She just felt safe. Luckily Cat has actually regained most of the sight in her eyes. I would also spend time at the Safe House, which has only just been completed, cleaning or socialising with the dogs.

The trip changed course on the 19th of June when there was word of a dog meat truck stop with 300 dogs down south, which was reportedly headed to Yulin dog meat festival. Two members of the organisation flew down to the base where the dogs were being kept. Three days later I flew out with the amazing vets that the SHS girls work closely with to help with anything and everything really. We spent three days in a warehouse in the blistering heat with dogs dying around us. I spent time preparing medication, working with the dogs and helping to prepare the dogs we would be taking back to Harbin.

We ended up taking between 50-60 dogs back to Harbin. We set up a warehouse as a makeshift clinic. I spent most days there with another volunteer from Canada. Nikki is a vet technician so could help with all the medical care which was massively helpful. We spent 12-13 hours a day there the first week just feeding, cleaning and doing medical treatment. And I tell you spending five hours cleaning non-stop takes some patience. Some of the dogs were so sick! Sometimes I would pop back to see the healthy dogs to keep me strong. I could honestly write an entire book on my time there last summer. For me this summer will last forever, as will the guilt I feel for letting some of dogs down that didn’t make it! At the truck stop I fell in love with this dog who I named Loki – he was a mischief and would break out of any cage we put him in. When we arrived back in Harbin I thought he would be fine as he didn’t seem sick. I spent hardly any time with him as I was working with the other dogs, and sadly he didn’t make it.

 

Most recently I popped over to china for the weekend in October on behalf of Doggy911, the Northern Ireland based sister charity of Harbin SHS, to collect four dogs. All of which I worked with over the summer, one of which was rescued while I was there in April. They are now with their forever families.

The work I have done is such a small part. The real inspirations are the three girls who run the rescue, who have given up their lives and work tirelessly to make this organisation work. They never turn a dog down and every dog that needs them becomes a part of their huge family. They are simply incredible. There are so many other amazing people including the Doggy911 team who have been incredible in rehoming dogs throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.

How did you get involved with rescuing dogs from China and why was it important to you?

I got involved via Instagram. I began following Harbin (SHS) in December 2017 just after becoming vegan and became very interested in animal rescue. One day a post came up that a group of Americans were heading out to volunteer there and fly dogs back to the US. It was something I have always wanted to do as I have always had such an empathy towards animals and a desire to work with them. I sent an amazing girl called Steph Bonham a message and the next thing I know I was booking my first of three trips to China this year.

What’s been the most memorable or rewarding part of your involvement with the charity?

Flying dogs out of China! Giving them a chance at a second life where they can be loved by a special kind of person that understands their past and can give them a life they never imagined.

What’s been the toughest?

There two incredibly tough parts that stand out to me. The first being when a dog is lying in your arms, you are their last hope, but you let them down. There is nothing harder than having a life disappear in your arms knowing you are too late.

The second is that it’s happening now as I type this and I’m not there. I can’t help. I can’t be with the dogs that just need someone to believe in them.

Are there any misconceptions in the UK about the dog meat industry in China or anything you think the general public may not be aware of?

Not everyone in China eats dog meat or is even aware it is happening. In fact, a significant number of the population would not eat dog. But unfortunately, the dog meat trade is still happening.

Dog meat is thought to have medicinal properties and it is believed that the more the dog is tortured the higher quality the meat. One thing that I never understood was why they used dogs like grey hounds who are very slim breeds. Greyhounds are considered a high-quality meat and are actually very expensive. Ex racer greyhounds from all offer the world are shipped here to breed and are then sold to the meat trade. It is not unheard of for greyhounds to be rescued off meat trucks with a race number tattooed in their ear.

How can someone get involved, and what advice would you give them?

There is an SHS volunteer page on Facebook, where the amazing Steph Bonham organises groups of volunteers every few months. It is an amazing experience and you don’t have to see all the extreme situations if you don’t wish too. If going all the way to China is not currently an option for you then you can follow the two organisations mentioned and help by raising money or maybe even opening your home to a very special pup!

Last but not least, what’s your favourite vegan meal?

This is a tough one, but I would have to go with a ‘chicken’ and avocado bagel with fries.