Running the marathon to support saving Yulin dogs

As a passionate marathoner and an even more passionate dog lover, I would like to dedicate all my hard training and each step of my upcoming London Marathon on 28th April to a cause that is very close to my heart and for which I am an active volunteer in my spare time.

Each year in June there is a very disturbing dog meat festival in Yulin, China, a city which is just 450km from my home in Hong Kong.

At this festival, an estimated 15.000 dogs are brutally tortured (alive), murdered, and consumed for meat. Although the consumption of dog meat is increasingly stigmatized in China, the annual recurrence of this festival is largely perpetrated by a slaughter industry who profit from it. Luckily more and more Chinese activists and communities condemn this festival and intervene, for example by intercepting trucks transporting dogs from across China to Yulin. Their efforts save thousands of dogs and cats every year.

However Chinese legislation lacks adequate animal protection laws and does not properly recognize the concept of animal welfare (although social norms are evolving and people increasingly view pets as treasured members of their families). Animals rescued from the meat trade industry have no place to go and are often in a very critical health condition.

Karuna Rescue is a Shenzhen, China based non-profit, operated by local and international volunteers who provide a shelter for these meat trade survivors. They organize medical care, treating what are often contagious and deadly deceases, organizing food and providing rehabilitation for these tortured and traumatized animals.

Oftentimes, the dogs in the meat trade industry were previously pets and were stolen from their families. In many cases however, the original owners of the pets unfortunately can't be identified. In these cases, Karuna works closely with international charities (such as Bunny's Buddies) to find permanent homes for the animals. 

Karuna's goal is to promote compassion for all creatures by rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing animals in need. They have recently opened their own facility which enables them to save money on vet bills and boarding costs and to provide a safe environment for the dogs and volunteers to re-socialize and regain the trust of the animals in humans and give them a second chance and finding them a loving home. 

To support the Karuna and Bunny's Buddies Team in their mission I'm raising money to benefit these organizations in their daily fight to make an impact and save lives. 

US$5 will provide food supply of 5 dogs/day
$10  will provide food and shampoo / hygienic supply
$20 will provide boarding and basic treatment 
$50 will provide vaccinations for 2 dogs
$100 will provide medication treatment 

Thanks in advance for your generous contribution to this worthy cause that means so much to me.

I'd like to finish this post with a quote, which reminds me of my very first days of becoming a marathon runner and is very adequate for this charity's mission as well.

It always seems impossible until its done

See you at the finish line.

Many thanks,

Christian


More information about Karuna Rescue & Bunny's Buddies.


Karuna Rescue
https://www.facebook.com/pg/karunarescuechina/about/?ref=page_internal

BUNNY'S BUDDIES - Dog Rescue : 
Bunny's Buddies is a San Diego based Non-Profit, working closely with Karuna Rescure
http://bunnysbuddies.org/about-charity/

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