Yulin Meat Festival Rescue Dogs Arrive in the Hamptons

The 10 dogs rescued from China’s horrific Yulin Meat Festival—where some 10,000 dogs and cats are abused, killed and eaten each year—have arrived safely in the Hamptons!

Thanks to an international rescue effort from various animal advocates, including London Jewelers owner Candy Udell, the dogs made it to New York on Tuesday, December 13, and have been placed at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) and Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF), where they’ll be ready for adoption next week.

“They’re doing great,” SASF spokesperson Kate McEntee said of the five dogs staying at her shelter. “They went to their first playgroup yesterday.”

The dogs, four females and one male, still need to be spayed and neutered before they can be adopted, but McEntee said they’re getting a lot of love and care, sleeping in “big, comfy beds,” and settling in well. “They’re all really sweet, friendly and loving dogs,” she observed. “It’s almost like they left their hardships behind when they got here, and they’re ready to move on with their lives.”

The team at SASF has named one of the dogs Candy, after Udell, who was instrumental in getting them here.

“They’re just going to make wonderful pets,” McEntee said.

Anyone interested in applying to adopt one of the 10 lucky dogs can contact Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation at 631-728-7387 or southamptonanimalshelter.com; or Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons at 631-537-0400 or arfhamptons.org.