Stars Take Part in #StopYulinForever March

The dark clouds that hovered over Los Angeles on October 4th seemed to mirror the somber mood at the MacArthur Park Recreation Center as a multitude of dog devotees embarked on a peaceful march, bringing World Animal Day’s message of mercy to the Chinese consulate in L.A. in an effort to end the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Lisa Vanderpump and her canine companion Giggy:

Held in Yulin, China each year since 2009, the event does not carry on an ancient cultural tradition. The dogs who suffer unimaginable deaths during the festival lose their lives due to the mistaken belief that eating dog meat during the summer solstice brings good fortune.

Actress Maria Conchita Alonso and her dog Tequila show their support:

The topic is one so horrifying and heartbreaking that many choose not to look at the images of the more than 10,000 dogs who die each year during the festival. But rather than turn her back and walk away, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, along with husband Ken Todd, have taken steps to create a new reality by co-founding Stop Yulin Forever.

Using their combined star wattage to shine a light on the subject, Vanderpump’s fellow reality personalities Lisa Rinna and her husband, actor Harry Hamlin, Kyle Richards, Joyce Giraud and Gretchen Rossi, as well as actress/singer Maria Conchita Alonso, were among the canine-loving crowd at the rally. Prior to the march, The Talk‘s Sharon Osbourne joined Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd in a PSA to raise awareness of the paws cause.

Lisa Rinna promotes the paws cause:

For more information regarding efforts to stop the Yulin Dog Meat Festival:

• visit www.stopyulinforever.org

Photo Credit: Getty Images