User:Colipon/Cats and dogs

In 2008 numerous incidents have occurred in the People's Republic of China, mostly in Southern China, Guangdong regions over the selling of dog and cat meat. Both stray and domestic animals were taken to butcher shops in large quantities. Some pet owners even worry that their pets may be stolen to be sold for profit.

Cats
Nanjing has become a major trading hub for cats. A story was ran in the Southern Metropolis daily that said about 1,000 cats were transported to Guangdong daily. About 5,000 cats were sent via shipments from Nanjing to Guangzhou. Other places such as Shanghai, Hangzhou also rounded up cats to be shipped. According to the Chengdu Business Daily, people in Guangdong ate 10,000 cats a day. Votes were also conducted by Southern Metropolis daily to see people's responses on the matter.

Dogs
In Guangdong large waves of stray dogs have been captured, chained and beaten with bats. They are then skinned and then deceptively sold as the more expensive lamb meat for profit. Lamb meat are usually sold for about $1.32 a pound, which is more than 95 cents for dog meat.

Protests
A group of 40 protesters unfurled banners in a tearful protest in Beijing. The protest was the latest clash between age-old traditions and the new sensibilities made possible by China's growing affluence. Animal activist group PETA also issued a statement decrying the cruel treatment.

Society related
The protesters also noted that a virus that caused Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is suspected to have been spread to humans by civet cats. In 2004, Guangdong supposedly banned the raising, selling, killing and eating of civet cats. SARS first reported in Guangdong in November 2002 and killed 774 people worldwide before subsiding in July 2003.

One cat owner in Guangzhou commented that pet owners are afraid to let their pets leave the house in fear that they will be kidnapped. He said "It's never been this bad. Who knows, it might be because of the bad economy." He also feared that the cat business might be run by gangs.

Rescue effort
On the last day of 2008, a rescue effort was funded by the Animals Asia Foundation after it was discovered the traders were operating without a license. 149 dogs were taken to the rescue center. One dog suffered from distemper and had to be euthanized.