Episode 20 of Under the Fur | Vanessa & Hailey from
Animal rescue can look very different depending on where in the world you are working.
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa speaks with Hailey from Slaughterhouse Survivors about her experience rescuing dogs in China, the realities of the dog meat trade, and what it takes to run a large-scale animal rescue operation.
Hailey originally moved to China to teach, but her path changed after becoming involved in the rescue of dogs from a slaughterhouse. What began with a small number of animals developed into a much larger commitment to rescue, rehabilitation and animal welfare.
What Is Slaughterhouse Survivors?
Slaughterhouse Survivors is an animal rescue organisation based in China that has focused on helping dogs and other animals affected by neglect, abandonment and the dog meat trade.
The work goes far beyond simply removing animals from dangerous situations.
Many rescued animals require:
Emergency veterinary treatment
Ongoing medical care
Rehabilitation
Behavioural support
Suitable housing
Nutrition and recovery plans
Rehoming support
For rescue organisations working at this scale, each new intake also creates long-term financial and practical responsibilities.
The Reality of the Dog Meat Trade in China
One of the main topics discussed in the episode is the dog meat trade and the impact it has had on Hailey's work.
For many people outside China, the subject can feel distant. For rescuers working directly with affected animals, however, it becomes an immediate welfare issue.
Hailey explains how her involvement began after she learned more about the trade and was given the opportunity to help rescue a small group of dogs.
That experience became the starting point for much larger rescue efforts.
The episode also highlights an important challenge in animal rescue: saving one group of animals often leads to greater awareness of how many others still need help.
Why Large-Scale Animal Rescue Is So Difficult
One of the biggest misconceptions around animal rescue is that the difficult part ends once the animal is removed from danger.
In reality, that is often only the beginning.
Rescue organisations must consider the ongoing cost of veterinary care, staffing, facilities, food, rehabilitation and rehoming.
There is also a limit to how many animals any organisation can responsibly support at one time.
Hailey discusses the emotional difficulty of balancing the desire to help with the practical reality of available resources.
This is an issue faced by rescue organisations everywhere: saying yes to one animal means taking responsibility for that animal's care, often for months or even years.
The Emotional Impact of Rescue Work
Compassion fatigue and emotional burnout are also important parts of the conversation.
People working in animal rescue are regularly exposed to difficult cases, limited resources and situations where not every animal can be saved.
Hailey speaks openly about how difficult it can be to step away once you become aware of the scale of the problem.
The emotional side of rescue is rarely as visible as the successful adoption stories shared online, but it can have a significant impact on the people involved.
Strong support systems, realistic limits and sustainable rescue practices are therefore just as important as compassion.
Can One Rescue Organisation Make a Difference?
No single rescue can solve every animal welfare issue.
However, individual organisations can still make a significant difference through direct rescue, education, veterinary intervention and public awareness.
Hailey's experience with Slaughterhouse Survivors shows how one small rescue effort can grow into a much wider animal welfare mission.
It also raises broader questions about how rescue organisations can remain sustainable while continuing to respond to animals in need.
Listen to the Full Episode
In the full episode, Hailey shares more about how she became involved in animal rescue in China, how Slaughterhouse Survivors developed, and the realities of caring for large numbers of animals in need.
Listen to Under the Fur to hear the full conversation with Hailey and learn more about the work behind Slaughterhouse Survivors.
