Horrifying footage shows thousands of terrified dogs being given a drink of water by heartbroken campaigners as they are transported to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Campaigners are bracing themselves for horrific scenes after a truckload of 2,000 dogs appeared to be being transported to the Chinese city of Yulin.

Activists stopped the truck at the roadside, and can be seen giving water to some of the petrified pups who gratefully take the merciful offering.

But the future does not look bright for the doomed dogs, as the area is known for its dog meat festival in which canines are slaughtered and eaten.

Activists had hoped that the festival would be cancelled due to ongoing pandemic restrictions in China.

But it looks like the slaughter is once again going ahead from June 21.

Footage released by Chinese campaigners on the ground shows dog-loving volunteers giving water to scores of adorable dogs, many of who will be former pets.

And it is feared that while some of the dogs will be spared being made into dishes such as soup, many of the animals in the footage will have a horrific fate.

London founded charity NoToDogMeat, which has rescue centres in the country, received an SOS call this week from activists on the ground, and the devastating footage.

Julia De Cadenet, CEO of the charity, which holds United Nations special consultative status, said: "We are so shocked and disappointed that it looks like so many dogs are being transported to Yulin, it is devastating news.

"No one was expecting such a big truck, and so many dogs, it's like they want it to be bigger than ever.

"Last year our campaigners on the ground uncovered a giant slaughter house which was in breach of the rules, so it is clear that these butchers will stop at nothing to have their fun.

"Many of these dogs are people's pets, and far from tradition, the festival began in 2009. It is about nothing but cruelty and it must be stopped."

The NoToDogMeat charity currently cares for around 450 rescued dogs at two Chinese shelters, and is braced to take more if rescuers on the ground can bargain for their lives.

The Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival is annually the subject of global condemnation, and in recent years the Chinese government has made key steps to outlaw such activities.

When the pandemic struck in 2020 the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture officially announced that dogs were companions only, and should not be treated as livestock. Effectively banning their commercial slaughter.

Horrifying footage shows terrified dogs being given a drink of water by heartbroken campaigners as they are transported to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Campaigners are bracing themselves for horrific scenes after a truckload of 2,000 dogs appeared to be being transported to the Chinese city of Yulin.

Activists stopped the truck at the roadside, and can be seen giving water to some of the petrified pups who gratefully take the merciful offering.

But the future does not look bright for the doomed dogs, as the area is known for its dog meat festival in which canines are slaughtered and eaten.

Activists had hoped that the festival would be cancelled due to ongoing pandemic restrictions in China.

But it looks like the slaughter is once again going ahead from June 21.

Footage released by Chinese campaigners on the ground shows dog-loving volunteers giving water to scores of adorable dogs, many of who will be former pets.

And it is feared that while some of the dogs will be spared being made into dishes such as soup, many of the animals in the footage will have a horrific fate.

London founded charity NoToDogMeat, which has rescue centres in the country, received an SOS call this week from activists on the ground, and the devastating footage.

Julia De Cadenet, CEO of the charity, which holds United Nations special consultative status, said: "We are so shocked and disappointed that it looks like so many dogs are being transported to Yulin, it is devastating news.

"No one was expecting such a big truck, and so many dogs, it's like they want it to be bigger than ever.

"Last year our campaigners on the ground uncovered a giant slaughter house which was in breach of the rules, so it is clear that these butchers will stop at nothing to have their fun.

"Many of these dogs are people's pets, and far from tradition, the festival began in 2009. It is about nothing but cruelty and it must be stopped."

The NoToDogMeat charity currently cares for around 450 rescued dogs at two Chinese shelters, and is braced to take more if rescuers on the ground can bargain for their lives.

The Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival is annually the subject of global condemnation, and in recent years the Chinese government has made key steps to outlaw such activities.

When the pandemic struck in 2020 the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture officially announced that dogs were companions only, and should not be treated as livestock. Effectively banning their commercial slaughter.