Start of the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival Documented by Activists

Animal rights activists captured footage of the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival as it commenced on Sunday, coinciding with the summer solstice. The event takes place in Yulin, a city in southern China, where rows of tables are set up for the slaughter of thousands of animals.

Since 2010, Yulin has hosted this annual festival to promote the local dog meat sales on the first day of summer. This grim spectacle has drawn worldwide attention, especially from prominent animal rights advocates. In response, the Chinese Communist Party banned the keeping of domestic dogs in 2020 and tried to downplay the event.

While the festival has not evaded criticism, a more subdued approach appeared to prevent it from gaining major traction in Western media. However, the consumption of dog and cat meat at the festival remains a possibility. The changing perceptions of dogs in China—viewed more as companions rather than food—have led to increased reports of pets being stolen for consumption.

Unlike previous years when state-run media defended the festival, no coverage from English-language outlets like Global Times or China Daily was available at deadline.

Humane World for Animals, in collaboration with local organization Vshine, confirmed to media outlets that activists on the ground were documenting the event. Over the weekend, Vshine volunteers filmed preparations at markets, with graphic footage showing butcher tables cluttered with dead dogs being cut for meat.

Chen Xiaolei from Vshine described the unpleasant atmosphere at the markets. “The sight and smell of dog meat at Dongkou and Nanqiao markets were quite disturbing,” he stated, reflecting on the emotional weight of seeing once-loved pets now treated so brutally. The environment lacked a festive feel, with slow sales observed despite ongoing large-scale killings.

The festival faced international backlash beginning in 2014, with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Ricky Gervais speaking out against it. The Chinese government’s initial response tried to frame the consumption of dogs as a long-standing cultural tradition, insisting that foreign criticism overlooked these differences. Local authorities were urged to regulate the event carefully to avoid shame to the country.

Calls for stricter hygiene standards and humane killing methods were made, though evidence suggests that little has changed in dog slaughter practices. The slow sales this year seem to contradict the government’s assertions that eating dogs is commonplace within Chinese culture.

Dr. Peter Li from Animal Rights World shared insights about the cultural disconnection. “Yulin is perhaps the most notorious site for dog and cat meat in China, but most people don’t engage in it. It’s the same across the country,” he explained, pointing out that millions of dogs and cats continue to be caught up in this brutal trade despite low public interest in the practice.

A poll last year indicated that 87.5% of Chinese participants “never or rarely eat” dog or cat meat. Furthermore, 88% reported that banning such consumption would not affect their lives, highlighting minimal public resistance to outlawing the trade.

In a notable victory, an animal welfare coalition succeeded in closing Yulin’s first dog slaughterhouse shortly before the festival. This closure resulted in the rescue of nine dogs, many of whom showed signs of being stolen pets, along with their relieved owners who no longer wished to be part of this trade.

A butcher, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed relief at leaving the profession behind. “I’ve been in this for nearly 20 years,” he shared. “It’s a dirty job, and I didn’t feel good about it. With fewer people eating dog meat now, it has become challenging to support my family. I’m just glad for the chance for a more stable life.”