An annual festival notorious for its consumption of dog and cat meat has resurfaced in a city located in southern China, despite facing significant opposition at both local and international levels.

The Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival, currently underway in Yulin, has raised concerns among animal welfare advocates who fear the slaughter of thousands of animals before the event concludes on June 30.

Originally established in 2010, the ten-day festival has been a subject of widespread criticism for over a decade, prompting local authorities to distance themselves from the event since 2014.

Reports indicate that thousands of dogs and cats are subjected to grueling journeys under harsh conditions, often deprived of food and water, before being slaughtered. At its peak, the festival witnessed the killing and consumption of approximately 10,000 animals.

Activists have highlighted that many of these animals are either stolen from their homes or captured from the streets, as evidenced by images showing distressed animals confined in wire cages without basic necessities.

Recently, Humane World for Animals released footage depicting the escalating dog and cat meat trade in Yulin, urging China to end this inhumane practice that poses risks to both animal welfare and public health.

Critics argue that the festival, occurring during the summer solstice, symbolizes the broader trade in dog and cat meat, garnering attention from international activists. Notably, a recent breakthrough led to the rescue of nine dogs, with three believed to be stolen pets based on their collars.

Efforts from animal welfare groups, coupled with national and global advocacy campaigns, have reportedly contributed to a decrease in the number of dogs slaughtered during the festival’s peak period from an estimated 20–22 June, with figures now ranging between 2,000 to 3,000 dogs.