CHICAGO — A greyhound rescued from the dog meat trade in China will make her way to Chicago for treatment and to find a new home.
Hui Hui (pronounced similar to "hoy hoy") was probably a pet who was stolen from her family before being crammed into a cage with other dogs to be sold for slaughter, said Andrea Gung, executive director of Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project, which works to stop the dog meat trade in China. Activists bought the cage, rescuing the dogs.
Few of the dogs who are rescued leave China because it is expensive and activists prefer to find them homes in the country, Gung said, but Hui Hui is being brought to the United States because activists feared it would be hard to find the 6- or 7-year-old dog a home due to her age and a leg injury.
Hui Hui will also need surgery, and it will be safer to perform the surgery in the United States, Gung said.
"She's very friendly," said Gung, who noted that Hui Hui is so well-behaved that she gets to walk freely around her shelter. "She follows us around and sat next to us while we were talking. [She] wasn't fussing at all. [She has] a happy temperament even though she has gone through so much."
Hui Hui will come to Chicago on Sept. 30 for rehab, as her front right leg is injured. She will later be moved to a new home in the United States. [Facebook/Hui Hui]
Steven Anderson, a coordinator for Illinois greyhound rescue group 4 Greyhound Racers, saw information about Hui Hui online and brought it to the attention of his organization, which then worked with Duo Duo and the Tangshan City Small Animal Protection Association, Hui Hui's shelter, to arrange for Hui Hui's move to the United States and her treatment.
The groups have turned to GoFundMe, raising more than $3,000 of a $5,000 goal so they can pay for Hui Hui's travel and rehab costs.
"It’s been amazing, the support we’ve got from donations and sharing on social media to get the word out," Anderson said. "That’s been pretty overwhelming, just how caring and generous people have been."
Hui Hui will arrive with her foster owner, Yu Hang, on Sept. 30. A party to honor them and raise money will be held noon-3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Chicago Party Animals, 1133 W. Fulton St. Entry will be a $20 donation, and proceeds will be split among 4 Greyhound Racers and the Tangshan City Small Animal Protection Association. The money 4 Greyhound Racers receives will be spent on Hui Hui's rehab, Anderson said.
After Hui Hui's leg rehabilitation is over, 4 Greyhound Racers will look for a new owner for her. Those interested in rescuing Hui Hui or other greyhounds must fill out an online application, Anderson said. Applicants will be interviewed and 4 Greyhound Racers will do a home inspection, and the organization will then show the applicants which dogs they think are a fit for the potential owners.
Gung said those who want to help dog meat trade survivors like Hui Hui can do so by donating knowledge, money or equipment to organizations like Duo Duo. She said anti-dog meat trade activists like her want to open sanctuaries in China to help dogs and cats and push for a crackdown on the trade.
Activists are raising money on GoFundMe to bring dog meat trade survivor Hui Hui to the United States. They hope to pay for her travel and treatment, and want to help her find a new home. [Facebook/Hui Hui]
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