The number of dogs saved from slaughter has now risen to 389 after three puppies were born after their mother was rescued from a truck heading to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Footage taken overnight by NoToDogMeat charity volunteers shows the tiny newborn puppies suckling from their exhausted mother, at a safe refuge on the outskirts of the city of Xi'an.

They were spared after a collective effort between activists, locals and the authorities to track a truck travelling around Chinese villages rounding up defenceless dogs to be taken to Yulin.

The animals were crammed into small wire cages in sweltering conditions, with many suffering from infections and skin diseases.

Mr Zhao, who runs NoToDogMeat shelters in Hebei and Beijing witnessed the tender moment following days of traumatic scenes of animal suffering as the group tracked the truck.

He said: "The idea that these innocent lives have now been saved fills us with joy, these puppies would have been born at Yulin.

"We are working hard to give all of these dogs the care they need, as they have had a traumatic ordeal and need medical treatment, but they are safe now."

Yulin is an ancient city in China known for holding a dog meat festival from 21 to 30 June, purportedly to celebrate the summer solstice where an estimated 10,000 dogs and cats are killed and eaten each year.

Far from being ancient or traditional, this festival, known worldwide as Yulin, was created recently in 2009 to bring business to a place that was economically depressed.

It is estimated that in China alone, 10 to 15 million dogs are eaten annually - some figures say 50,000 per day and 4 to 5 million cats.

It is estimated that worldwide as many as 30 million dogs are eaten each year. Many dogs and cats are also used to make medicines and various tinctures or elixirs, which are sold for various health ailments or just as tonics. Their fur is also sold.

The number of dogs saved from slaughter has now risen to 389 after three puppies were born after their mother was rescued from a truck heading to the barbaric Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Footage taken overnight by NoToDogMeat charity volunteers shows the tiny newborn puppies suckling from their exhausted mother, at a safe refuge on the outskirts of the city of Xi'An.

They were spared after a collective effort between activists, locals and the authorities to track a truck travelling round Chinese villages rounding up defenceless dogs to be taken to Yulin.

The animals were crammed into small wire cages in sweltering conditions, with many suffering from infections and skin diseases.

Mr Zhao, who runs NoToDogMeat shelters in Hebei and Beijing witnessed the tender moment following days of traumatic scenes of animal suffering as the group tracked the truck.

He said: "The idea that these innocent lives have now been saved fills us with joy, these puppies would have been born at Yulin.

"We are working hard to give all of these dogs the care they need, as they have had a traumatic ordeal and need medical treatment, but they are safe now."

Yulin is an ancient city in China known for holding a dog meat festival from 21 to 30 June, purportedly to celebrate the summer solstice where an estimated 10,000 dogs and cats are killed and eaten each year.

Far from being ancient or traditional, this festival, known worldwide as ‘Yulin’, was created recently in 2009 to bring business to a place that was economically depressed.

It is estimated that in China alone, 10 to 15 million dogs are eaten annually - some figures say 50,000 per day and 4 to 5 million cats.

Far from dying out, the dog and cat meat trade is a thriving, highly profitable industry thanks to a strong network of greedy restaurateurs, meat dealers and butchers who, out to make easy money, have convinced the public that eating dog and cat meat is healthful and fashionable.

It is estimated that worldwide as many as 30 million dogs are eaten each year. Many dogs and cats are also used to make medicines and various tinctures or elixirs, which are sold for various health ailments or just as tonics. Their fur is also sold.

ENDS