The Freedom Four Rescue
Give freedom to four beagles who survived experimentation and illegal meat trade.
Today, we present an urgent opportunity to save dogs from China, where they were subjected to animal testing, the underground meat trade, and unimaginable suffering. We kindly request your support through donations to make this rescue mission a success.
Every day, we receive heart-wrenching emails and phone calls from desperate individuals seeking help, and from compassionate souls looking to find placements for animals in need. While we do our best to assist within our resources and connections, we face limitations. However, there are certain moments when we come across a story that compels us to take immediate action, regardless of the cost.
[Trigger warning: death and animal cruelty]
Recently, we received an urgent message about four research beagles that were rescued from the illegal Chinese meat trade. These four innocent souls were done with testing and subsequently marked for unlawful human consumption. The unimaginable experiences they endured are beyond comprehension for most Americans, but now they are on their way to freedom.
These four beagles were part of a larger rescue effort that saved 20 mixed breeds of dogs from the horrific fate of being slaughtered. After witnessing the horrors of animal testing and the devastating loss of their companions, these special souls face a long and challenging road to recovery. At Kindness Ranch, we never hesitate to step up and take on this labor of love.
China currently conducts animal testing on an estimated 20.5 million animals, a significant increase from 16 million in 2020. While mice make up the majority, dogs also suffer greatly in this industry. Shockingly, there are approximately 300,000 people working in the field of animal testing in China, as reported by science.org.
However, the extent of animal welfare in Chinese laboratories remains largely unknown. A rudimentary study revealed that only 65 papers were found when searching a Chinese academic database for "laboratory animal welfare," most of which discussed the concept rather than providing empirical findings. These papers also acknowledge that China falls behind Western countries in terms of animal welfare. Astonishingly, a mere 25% of surveyed Chinese medical students recognized laboratory animal welfare as an important concept. Additionally, a significant percentage admitted to either negligently causing harm themselves or knowing someone who did. (Source - faunalytics.org)
The fate of these poor dogs after research is incredibly limited. Many of them are illegally obtained and sold into the meat trade, where an estimated 10 million dogs and 4 million cats are consumed annually.
We wish to emphasize that the trade in dog and cat meat in China is illegal due to concerns about animal cruelty, public health risks, and ethical considerations. It is essential to recognize that the actions of individuals involved in this trade should not be used to judge the entire country and its people. Many Chinese citizens and organizations actively campaign against the consumption of dog and cat meat, advocating for stricter regulations and animal welfare protections. It is important to promote a nuanced understanding and support those within China who are working towards ending this practice.
We have collaborated closely with experienced individuals, including a new friend in rescue, Natalie from The Big Three Rescue, who has worked extensively with brokers in China and the U.S. Natalie's expertise has been invaluable in navigating the complexities of negotiating transportation costs, managing deposits, and ensuring a smooth process from start to finish. It is heartwarming to witness Kindness Ranch forging alliances across the globe!
To make this rescue possible, we need our community to come together! Transporting animals from China to Wyoming requires meticulous coordination and significant resources. We estimate that this international rescue will cost us more than $20,000 due to airfare ($3,500+ per dog), immediate care they received in China, transport back to our Sanctuary in Wyoming, and critical rehabilitation before they are able to be adopted.
With the generous donation match from some anonymous donors willing to match up to $12,000, we are relying on our greater community to help us raise the other half. We understand this amount is substantial, but we firmly believe they are worth every penny.
Your generous donation ensures not only the success of this rescue but providing the best, highest quality of care possible and the ability to step up when needed on future rescues as well!