Heart-Stopping Rescue Saves Puppies from the Illegal Meat Trade and Gives Them a New Life
In the Philippines, stray and stolen dogs could end up in illegal slaughterhouses, despite a national ban on the dog meat trade. Reports indicate that some restaurants secretly offer dog meat dishes to select customers. The sale of dog meat in restaurants and markets is prohibited under the country’s animal welfare and food safety laws, though challenges in enforcement allow the trade to persist.
This was the fate that four puppies — now named Bimbi, Barbie, Bambi, and Basti — were destined for before two amazing animal welfare organizations (that are at the forefront of saving canines from Asia’s dog meat trade) came to their rescue about six months ago.
The two organizations — the Soi Dog Foundation and Animal Kingdom Foundation — raided one of the many dog slaughterhouses in the Philippines after receiving a tip-off. Upon arrival, they found the four skinny puppies chained inside the dirty, dimly lit slaughterhouse, their fearful eyes silently pleading for help (watch the video below).
@soidogfoundationofficial WATCH as four puppies are rescued from the illegal dog meat trade (and see how they're doing today! ❤️🩹) Over the last 2.5 years, our work with @AnimalKingdomFoundation and the local police has resulted in 93 dogs being rescued from brutal slaughter and 29 dog meat traders arrested and prosecuted. Among the survivors of the dog meat trade, a staggering 60% were adopted to loving homes within the Philippines. 🏠 But this fight isn't over. Despite monumental progress in tackling the illegal dog meat trade in the Philippines, there are still perpetrators committing atrocious violence. Only with your help can we continue to conduct more daring rescue operations and save more victims. Make a life-saving gift today by visiting our link in bio🙏 #rescuedogs #rescueanimals #puppies #fyp #dogslove #philippines ♬ original sound – soidogfoundationofficial
A Harrowing Rescue
Wasting no time, the rescuers got busy unchaining Bimbi, Barbie, Bambi, and Basti. Although they were visibly traumatized, these sweet-faced puppies cooperated with their rescuers as though sensing that their terrifying brush with death was finally over. They were immediately transported to the shelter, where their journey toward emotional and physical healing began.
Their newfound sense of comfort and security was evident from their playful antics and friendliness toward their rescuers. Being at the shelter showed these puppies the kinder side of life, and while there, they took each day as an opportunity for them to bury the painful memories of their dark pasts.
From Slaughterhouse Survivors to Happy Pets
It’s now been six months since these four pups were rescued. They look healthier and happier now, a far cry from the terrified, emaciated puppies that the rescuers came across when they raided the slaughterhouse.
Even better news is that one of the puppies, Basti, was adopted, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest find their happy endings. Their journey from puppies destined for death to puppies with a brighter future is a shining example of the power of love and community action. Thanks to the selfless acts of organizations like the Soi Dog Foundation and Animal Kingdom Foundation, stray and stolen dogs in the Philippines have the possibility of experiencing fulfilling lives away from the horrors of slaughterhouses.
“Bambi, Bimbi, Barbie, and Basti are now living their best lives, a testament to what can happen when compassionate individuals committed to the same goal come together,” pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka says.
About the dog meat trade in Philippines
It was estimated in 2014 that half a million dogs and cats in the Philippines face slaughter each year as part of the illegal dog meat trade according to PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society),
In 1998, they helped pass the country’s first anti-cruelty law, the Animal Welfare Act, and are now pushing for tougher penalties to address the growing dog meat industry. While dog meat consumption was once tied to cultural rituals, it has increased dramatically in recent decades, putting even more animals at risk. S
In Feb 2024 Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) held a National Forum in the Philippines, bringing together government agencies, law enforcement, and animal welfare groups to tackle the ongoing dog meat trade. The forum focused on revisiting the National Plan of Action, originally set up in 2016 to eliminate the trade, but which has faced delays, especially with challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials discussed the need for stronger collaboration and renewed their commitment to cracking down on the trade, even forming a dedicated task force to help make it happen. AKF, one of the first organizations in Asia to take on this issue, has spent almost 30 years leading the fight, and their efforts have even inspired other countries to address similar challenges.
