A dog who was rescued from the meat trade in China was photographed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival wearing a custom-made gold dress.
Samoyed Felicity was rescued from a “brutal slaughterhouse” by London-based charity NoToDogMeat.
The organization was founded in 2009 by Julia de Cadenet, after seeing with her own eyes the horrors of the trade.
According NotToDogMeatwas the first charity to bring global attention to the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival in June and now holds special consultative status with the United Nations.
Felicity, just one of many dogs (and cats) saved by the charity, now lives in the UK with Julia.
THEN: Felicity (pictured) was in “a terrible state” when rescuers found her, but has thrived after being rehomed in the UK.
NOW: Felicity looks like a different dog after her NoToDogMeat rescue and subsequent rehoming in the UK
And the brave dog acts as an ambassador for the cause, raising awareness by attending different events and meeting people.
A long-time supporter of the cause, Felicity first attended the Cannes Film Festival last year.
This year, she returned to the red carpet in a handmade gold dress specially created by charity volunteer Michelle Parker from Leeds, and earned a nomination for Best Dressed of the Festival.
A photo of Felicity at a screening of The Girl with the Needle went viral and earned her multiple nominations as one of the 24 best dressed at Cannes.
Last year, Michelle made Felicity a red dress adapted from a party outfit she bought online.
This year, she was even more ambitious and hand-stitched roses in gold organza. It took him more than 40 hours to complete her dress.
According to Julia de Cadenet, CEO of NoToDogMeat, “Felicity loves nothing more than showing off and raising awareness for the 700 dogs we have in our shelter looking for new homes.”
“She is unfazed by noise or crowds and trusts humans a lot despite everything she has been through.”
The goal of Felicity’s appearance at Cannes is to raise awareness about the brutal dog meat trade in China
“Michelle had the idea to make Felicity a handmade dress and modeled it after the dog pageant outfit her dog Keisha had previously worn.”
She continued: “It was really special for Felicity to wear it to such a high-profile event and although her best friend Keisha is no longer with us, it was a lovely keepsake.”
Speaking after Felicity attended Cannes last year, Julia said she hoped the animal’s story would help educate and inspire people to act in the fight against the dog meat trade.
He added: “When we found Felicity she was in a terrible state, but over time and with a lot of love and care, her outgoing personality has blossomed.
NoToDogMeat operates in China, Cambodia and the Philippines, working with local people who want to end the dog meat trade.
‘She really is a miracle and loves to show off and meet people, so this really is a perfect moment for her.
‘She is so deserving and we hope that by telling Felicity’s story and when people meet her, they will be inspired to join our movement.
NoToDogMeat Charity rescues many dogs like Felicity each year and hopes they all find loving homes.
It operates projects in China, Cambodia and the Philippines, where it works with local people who want to make a difference.
It currently cares for more than 750 dogs in its shelters in China.
