Saving dog meat dogs with Plush Bears
Yulin remains a stain in the calendar of all animal rights activists. The truth is, that the consumption of dogs around the world happens all year round - and that the number of dogs killed and eaten is still minimal, compared to the wider tragedy of animal agriculture which slaughters 80 billion land animals a year.
Nonetheless, the savagery of Yulin and other dog meat events - where thousands of dogs are killed by blunt force trauma or by being boiled or skinned alive - presents such a brutal conflict to Western notions of dogs as loving companion animals that it inevitably raises these questions: what are the differences between the animals we consider pets and the animals we consider food? Are there ever cultural excuses for cruelty? And finally, how can we stop the suffering, once and for all?
The answers are not easy. Many believe, as we do, that we will never stop animal cruelty until we stop animal agriculture. By considering some animals as food, all animals inevitably become lower in our considerations, leading to extraordinary industrial and individual suffering. Just one animal eaten leads to billions being tortured and killed.
As this year’s Yulin Festival draws to a close, The Empathy Project profiles one extraordinary rescue, Plush Bears. Named for its founder Liang (aka 'Plush Bear'), a young Chinese activist who has helped rescue an array of different animals, mainly in the Changchun and Baicheng areas of northeastern China, Plush Bears works against incredible odds, negotiating with local dog butchers, walking into animal markets, and large-scale slaughterhouses and handling and rescuing traumatised animals. Their undercover filming exploses the brutal reality of the dog meat trade. In the past year, Plush has built her own shelter, enabling her to save even more dogs from slaughter, sending them to loving homes in the US and the UK. The Empathy Project speaks to content creator Bianca Marie at Plush Bears.
TEP: How do you process the suffering you witness?
Plush Bears: The sights and sounds are deeply haunting. We do have to be gentle with ourselves and allow the emotions in order to process them rather than fight against them with distraction. It takes a lot of mental resilience and mindfulness.
TEP: What has inspired your own focus on animals? How do animals make you feel? What are the qualities of animals that you wish people knew?
Plush Bears: We have always been very sensitive to the plight of animal suffering. All of our team is either vegan or vegetarian. We recognize animals have souls and deserve to live their own expression of life. Sadly, many are denied this right, especially in animal agriculture. Animals make us feel love and they are wonderful teachers. We wish more people would see that they are all very much alive in the same way we are and here to share this planet with us.
TEP: Describe your work in China.
Plush Bears: We have been rescuing dogs and cats from the Chinese meat trade since 2017. Our base is in Northern China, far away from Yulin but the dog meat trade is very much 365 days per year with approximately 25,000 dogs slaughtered daily. Our founder is a very brave Chinese activist who started off by rescuing dogs from the largest dog slaughterhouse in China. You are correct in stating the number of dogs slaughtered pales in compared to those killed in animal agriculture worldwide. Dog meat eaters will retort at Westerners, “Well, you eat pig! What’s the difference?” It’s a salient point - and blatant hypocrisy.
TEP: What about animal welfare laws?
Plush Bears: Sadly, in China, there is not one animal protection law in place and no regulations on how the animals are slaughtered (not that that would make if any better as the notion of humane slaughter is an oxymoron). At Yulin especially, dogs are extensively tortured intentionally as they believe it enhances health benefits. This continues even though legally dogs are no longer on the livestock list. But they are very much treated as livestock, without any law enforcement.
TEP: There are particular challenges to the work in China …
Plush Bears: Yes, it’s more difficult for Chinese activists living under a communist government. They aren’t even legally allowed to protest.
TEP: Tell us about the sanctuary.
Plush Bears: We began with a small outdoor shelter but have worked hard to develop our current facility, which boasts indoor heated pens and large indoor and outdoor exercise areas. We have also re-homed some of our meat trade survivors in both the UK and USA.
TEP: What are the key developments in thinking about animals that gives you hope?
Plush Bears: We think more people are becoming conscious of how much animals suffer at the hands of humans and want to be part of the solution.
TEP: How do we change the way people see animals so that animal exploitation becomes an impossible option?
Plush Bears: Most people don’t want to contribute to animal suffering but inadvertently do. It’s important to highlight both their plight and their beauty. To be able to show how they also want to play, love and form social connections.
TEP: Often, people feel unable to take on board the true extent of animal suffering which can lead to inaction. Yet it can be the missing link between what animals endure and personal and political action. How do we balance this?
Plush Bears: Different approaches work for different people. We always have warnings on any graphic footage as it’s psychologically disturbing to watch. For some people, reading about it or seeing more suggestive imagery is enough for them to make changes. Every approach has its place. Showing people that there is another way is important, shaming them is always futile. Showing how special animals are is just as important as exposing their suffering.
TEP: Why are the rights of animals important in a world that has so many other ongoing human and planetary problems?
Plush Bears: The rights of animals are imperative as they have the capacity to suffer in the same way we do. They feel fear and pain and deserve our protection and respect.
TEP: The world of animal rights is highly emotional - which sometimes means that groups disagree. How can we bring diverse groups together?
Plush Bears: There certainly needs to be more unity and empathy amongst these groups. It’s important to recognize and respect people’s efforts and intentions, regardless of whether we agree with that type of activism. We need many types of activism to appeal to the diverse range of people coexisting together here on the planet. I think we should start listening to each other more.
Izzy remains the only Irish setter Plush Bears has ever found in the Chinese dog meat trade.
TEP: Can you tell us about an animal or a story or a response you got from someone that gives you the energy to push forward?
Plush Bears: Izzy was first spotted on a dog meat truck that was collecting dogs at the local market for the slaughterhouse at the end of October 2018. Izzy remains the only Irish setter we have found in the Chinese dog meat trade. The truck left the market and headed to the local slaughterhouse. We all remember how Izzy tried to run away as the meat traders took her off the truck to be placed into a pen at the slaughterhouse. Plush Bear activists luckily had followed the truck and were able to secure her release. Izzy soon caught the eye of a wonderful family in the UK that committed to adopting her and paid for all her vet bills and export costs. It took months of waiting but at last, in March 2019, she was united with the Carvalho family and taken to her forever home. Izzy now lives a perfect life in Essex, England. She spends her days following her mum Stacey around the house, playing fetch whilst running around the garden at lightning speed, and loves snuggling up on the sofa. Izzy lives a very active life exploring nearby trails and parks! She even goes to the local beach! Life for Izzy is very blessed and a far cry away from the evil dog meat trade.
TEP: Which other campaigners/philosophers/academics inspire you and why?
Plush Bears: We take inspiration from the great philosopher Lao Tzu as he advocated for a deep, connective empathy as the means to peace and harmony.
TEP: What is the one thing the ordinary person could do to help animals today?
Plush Bears: Reduce your consumption and use of animal products. Aim to make more compassionate, mindful choices. And learn what the consequences are for animals by the choices you make.
TEP: And how can we in other countries support your work - and help end dog meat?
Plush Bears: You can share our posts in order to spread more awareness. You can also write to your local Chinese consulate, usually people only do this around the time of Yulin but it’s helpful if more people can do it throughout the year. To support our rescues efforts, donate here: https://donorbox.org/donate-to-help-5
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter is @plush_bears
Instagram is @plushbearsshelter
Facebook is @plushbearsshelter
