West London salon treats dogs rescued from meat trade

Maida Vale grooming salon Grand Union Pets has treated dogs who were saved from the horrors of the meat trade.

Chinese meat trade survivors Felicity and Annabelle attended a special grooming session at Grand Union Pets in Shirland Road.

The pets were given new looks in time for a summer of activities as ambassadors for the NoToDogMeat charity.

Salon owner Ali Shardpour said: “We are all animal lovers, so any opportunity to help and we are happy to do so. Rescuing dogs from the meat trade is so important, we were especially surprised that this kind of thing still goes on.”

Julia de Cadenet, who founded the NoToDogMeat charity in 2009, added: “Thank you so much to Grand Union Pets for supporting our NoToDogMeat survivors. All dogs deserve special days and pampering, but these dogs have been through so much, and days like this for them are extra special.

“People are always surprised how calm and loving our rescues are, we think it is because they are so happy to have a life away from all they have endured.”

The NoToDogMeat charity is currently establishing a ‘fighting fund’ to help rescue as many dogs as possible from the notorious Yulin Dog Meat Festival, which is set to take place in June.