Change is already Happening in Asia
Cities, states and countries are starting to take action against the dog and cat meat trade
From the beginning of the outbreak of the virus, now known as Covid-19, until the end of May, more than five million people have been infected and more than 300,000 people have lost their lives in 213 countries and territories.
Some decision-makers in Asia have started to wake up to the threat that the trade can cause.
Vietnam
On March 16th, the Steering Committee for COVID-19 disease prevention in Hanoi met to continue implementing measures to prevent and control epidemics in the capital. At the meeting, the Hanoi People's Committee urged the people of the city to stop eating dog and cat meat!
India
On March 24th, the Assembly of the Indian state of Mizoram removed dogs from their category of animals suitable for slaughter. This was a historic step in the battle to end the dog meat trade in the state, where thousands of dogs are killed for their meat every year.
China
On April 2nd, the city of Shenzhen, the 5th largest city in China, announced a historic, comprehensive and permanent ban on the consumption of dogs and cats as well as wild animals, making it the first city in China to permanently ban the dog and cat meat trades.
China
On April 9th, the Chinese Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs proposed that dogs are 'special companion animals' rather than 'livestock' and are not for consumption. They also proposed a list of animals that can be consumed, and notably both dogs and cats are not on this list.
China
On April 15th, the Chinese city of Zhuhai became the second city to permanently ban the dog and cat meat trades. Both Shenzhen’s and Zhuhai’s regulations went into effect on the 1st May 2020.
China
On May 29th, following on from the April proposal, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs published a new National Catalogue of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources, meaning that live dogs for food and dog meat are not allowed to be sold any more. A government spokesperson confirmed that, the majority of the public are opposed to the dog and cat meat trade and recognise dogs’ important role as companions and pets. This is an important step in ending the Dog and Cat Meat Trade in China!
India
On July 4th the Indian state of Nagaland has banned the import, trading and sale of dog meat. We call on the other governments in the region to follow this example and stop that horrible trade.
Cambodia
After sustained engagement by FOUR PAWS and its partners, the province of Siem Reap, home to the world-famous Angkor Wat and other temples but also a 'hot spot' of the dog meat trade, issued an official ban on the trade and slaughter of dogs for their meat. This is the first ban of its kind to Cambodia. Read our press release here!
