A WOMAN from Frome is raising awareness about the cat and dog meat industry in Asia, in particular the Yulin Festival, which takes place in China every year.
Eloise Nice said, “Across Asia, an estimated 30 million dogs a year are killed and eaten. They suffer on a daily basis – in South Korea they endure deplorable conditions on dog meat factory farms. In China, Vietnam, Bali and Thailand they are snatched from the streets – many of them stolen pets still wearing their collars – squeezed into cages so small they can hardly breathe, and transported for days before being tortured to death in front of each other.
“The epitome of this vile and barbaric trade is something called the Yulin Festival which is a 10-day dog meat festival which takes place in June over the summer solstice in a particular province of China.
“The people believe that by causing as much fear and suffering as possible to the animals, their meat will taste better and keep the person cool during the hot summer months. They also think the men will become more virile by eating them. So dogs and cats are skinned alive, boiled alive, their limbs are chopped off whilst they are alive….you get the picture. Sadly this is well documented all over the internet and the pictures and videos are horrific.”
Eloise will be holding a candlelight vigil on Tuesday 20th June on the Frome Showground from 6.30pm and would like local people to join her. The vigil will be followed by a short talk and walk around the field. Dogs and children welcome.
“The idea is to raise awareness for the plight of the 10,000 dogs and cats that are purposely tortured in excruciating ways before becoming a person’s dinner in China alone. However there will be no gruesome pictures! For me personally I want to do all I can throughout the year to raise awareness, fundraise and involve influential figures in our society to press for change. I am hoping some of our local councillors will join us for the vigil.
I see the vigil as a symbol of hope and a way to recognise what is going on in Asia at this time. I hope that Frome, as a tight-knit community of animal lovers and generally people who strive for a better future globally, will join me in showing their support. By doing this we will raise awareness and add to the pressure to bring this vile and barbaric custom to an end, through the media.”
Eloise will also be running the Edinburgh Marathon on 28th May to raise money for the The Humane Society International, a charity which aims to end the dog meat industry.
“The marathon – it’s my first, yikes! I started running about four years ago but I was fundraising for human charities and have run a few half marathons in that time and they were hard enough – 26.2 miles is an enormous feat for me.
“I’ve done all the training and have so far run a total of 500 miles since January, but I am still not sure how I’m going to do it. 20 miles is the most I’ve trained up to and that killed me! But by running for the Humane Society I will have strong motivation.
“The Humane Society help animals across the world from ivory poaching to seal clubbing and are instrumental in fighting for change in Asia. They not only close dog meat farms and slaughter houses, but supply the families with an alternative income, so they are not tempted to return.
“I would really appreciate it if anyone would be kind enough to spare just a couple of pounds to reduce immense suffering, improve welfare laws in these countries and discourage pet theft. Every mile will be easier if I know I am helping to make a difference, even in a small way. Thank you for anything you can give.”
You can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eloise-Nice1
