China's Ministry of Agriculture States Cats & Dogs are "Pets"

​worldanimalnews.com/chinas-ministry-of-agriculture-states-that-dogs-are-pets-and-not-livestock-giving-hope-to-a-possible-end-to-human-consumption-of-dogs/

Coming off of the heels of Shenzehn being the first city in China to ban the consumption of cats and dogs, the Ministry of Agriculture in China has addressed the omission of cats and dogs as being listed as "livestock". This marks the very first time that cats and dogs have been omitted from the list but also the first time that it has been recognized and spoken out against by a recognizable figure in China. 

Although much of China does not engage in the consumption of cats and dogs, almost 10 million dogs are slaughtered for their meat in China every year. Astonishingly, less than 20% of China's population consumes dogs and cats with over half of the population stating that they would like to see the dog and cat meat trade banned. Interestingly, the horrific Yulin Dog Meat festival is reportedly unfavoured by the general populous with 64% of people claiming they would like to see the end of the festival despite aggressive promotion within the country. What this means to me is that the Chinese people have recognized to some extent that the consumption of cats and dogs is immoral and doesn't sit in line with global animal welfare standards.

“With the progress of human civilization and the public’s concern and preference for animal protection, dogs have changed from traditional domestic animals to companion animals. Dogs are generally not regarded as livestock and poultry around the world, and China should also not manage them as livestock and poultry.”
Ministry of Agriculture 

While most vegans would argue that it is hypocritical to be horrified by the consumption of cats and dogs while still consuming animals period, it's especially horrifying because we have for so long labelled these animals as companions and not food. For me specifically, I don't think anyone should be eating animals period but when it comes to animals designated as livestock, we shouldn't be looking outside of this box for other animals we can eat. We are already subjecting entire species to a lifetime of torture and slaughter for our plates, we needn't subject ALL animals to this horrific life. 

Another thing about the consumption of "pet" animals in China is that they are bred in some of the most horrific conditions imaginable if not stolen from households to be consumed. These poor cats and dogs could very well have been a family pet before they were snatched up and caged until consumption. The images of dogs crammed into cages, whelping for their lives as they await being burned alive, beaten, or worse, is one that I cannot forget which is why it is so important that someone of high rank in China has finally addressed the consumption of dogs and cats in a negative light. This could signal the end of the dog and cat meat trade in China which would spare millions of animals from gruesome deaths every year.

With Shenzehn banning the consumption and now the Minister of Agriculture speaking out, I am hoping we will continue to see good news for animals coming from China starting with a full ban on the consumption of cats and dogs.

I will update you guys as more information becomes available.

HAPPY VEG