Despite facing a lot of criticism from the public, China's largest dog meat festival still takes place. Close-up photos of the preparation process for this festival were recorded by photographers from Reuters and the organization.
Coming to the city of Yulin (China) these days, people will easily see the busy dog and cat trading sessions taking place right on the crowded streets.
Thousands of cats and dogs have been brought to this area in cramped, old iron cages to prepare for the biggest dog meat festival of the year.
Quite a few reporters from international news agencies and animal lovers have come to Ngoc Lam to learn the scene of this controversial festival.
All of them are locked in iron cages waiting for people to buy them and kill them.
Despite facing a lot of criticism from the public, China's largest dog meat festival still takes place.
In addition to the scenes of dog trading and slaughtering, reporters have also encountered animal advocates when they are trying to save hundreds of poor animals.
Ms. Duong Hieu Van, a dog lover, said that she bought 100 dogs and cats for 7000 yuan (about 24 million VND). They will be cared for at an animal shelter in her hometown of Tianjin.
Image of dog lovers who come to the festival to buy them back to take care of them.
Many dogs are seriously injured because they are locked in narrow iron cages.
The dogs were bought by a dog lover.
However, the number of dogs and cats saved is only a very small number compared to the thousands of ill-fated animals that have been and are about to be slaughtered.
The number of dogs slaughtered during this festival includes feral, derelict or even fully-labelled pet dogs.
Many dogs and cats died on the way to Yulin due to severe injuries and exhaustion.
The process of buying cats and dogs before the festival takes place.
After being transported to Ngoc Lam, thousands of dogs and cats were slaughtered to serve the needs of diners near and far.
Close-up of the process of making dog meat on unsanitary ground in Ngoc Lam.
The animals will be sold as soon as they are cleaned…
... or processed into different dishes.
Dog butcher shops sprang up everywhere.
