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British Stars Shine Spotlight on #StopYulin Campaign

By: Author Grace Sydney

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Composer Robert Schumann once said that “To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts- such is the duty of the artist.” Three recording artists are using their combined star wattage to shine a light on one of the darkest corners of the animal welfare world– the plight of dogs facing their fate in the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

Joining with Humane Society International, British singers Alesha Dixon, Will Young and Professor Green have stepped in front of the camera with their canine companions in a show of support for the #StopYulin campaign. Hoping to prevent the impending death of approximately 10,000 dogs (many of whom are believed to be stolen pets) the stars discuss their love for their own four-legged friends and urge the public to sign and share HSI’s petition to put an end to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, an event which has made each June a nightmare for animal lovers since 2009. (NOTE: Video contains graphic images.)

Having recently taken on the role of UK ambassador of the Soi Dog Foundation and recorded the classic tune “What the World Needs Now” for the World Wildlife Foundation, fans are now singing the praises of Will Young for helping the paws cause. Speaking about his own tail-waging chums Esme and Nelly,the former Pop Idol winner says: “The thought of them being stolen, crammed into the back of a truck in a tiny cage, and ending up terrified in a Yulin slaughterhouse, is heart-breaking. HSI works in partnership with Chinese campaigners representing the millions of Chinese citizens who want this awful trade to end, too. They have my support, please give them yours, too.”

A high-profile pal to all with paws who has helped such organizations as World Animal Protection, the RSPCA, The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and Dogs Trust, Alesha Dixon (who stars in the video alongside her cocker spaniels Rosie and Prince) states of the dogs and cats in danger: “I am absolutely horrified by the Yulin festival so I’m proud to support HSI’s #StopYulin campaign and their work all year round to end the dog meat trade. How anyone can call the barbaric slaughter of thousands of helpless dogs and cats a festival is beyond me.”

Rapper Professor Green (with his bulldog, Arthur) said: “It’s all too easy to look away and say it’s culture, but the truth is most people in China don’t eat dogs and the Yulin festival is out of step with a new generation of Chinese people who want a new culture of compassion.”

Thanks to HSI’s launch of China Animal Protection Power, Chinese activists are saving canines from dog meat trucks, with the fortunate souls getting the chance to find a forever family to love in China or in the United States. Thanks to HSI, just this past week a record 171 canines rescued from a dog meat farm embarked on a new chapter in their lives at shelters in the United States, where they will receive all the TLC needed as they wait for the day when they will have a forever family to love.

Photo Credit: Humane Society International

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This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.