A Major Shift in Yulin – And You're Part of It

An important update from Andrea Gung, Founder and Executive Director of Duo Duo Project

Promotional poster for the big concert happening on June 21st in Yulin

After over a decade of relentless animal advocacy, I received a message from our Yulin team that left me in tears—tears of hope.

The Yulin government has just announced it will be hosting a live concert featuring four major celebrities from Beijing on June 21, the same date as the infamous Dog Meat “Festival.” Even more striking—the concert will take place near one of Yulin’s two main dog meat markets, a location I’ve personally visited many times to speak out against the suffering that happens there.

This moment is significant.

I’ve been to Yulin 17 times since 2014. I’ve walked through those dog and cat meat markets, I’ve seen the fear in the eyes of the animals, and I’ve stood on the front lines calling for compassion. For years, it felt like we were pushing against a wall. But now, that wall is beginning to crack—and this concert is a sign of something powerful happening behind the scenes.

The circled area is 1 of Yulin's 2 main dog meat markets. The concert will be held on the island.

A Pattern of Progress

Last year, the Yulin government held a lion dance competition and a fashion show on the same date as the “festival.” At the time, we were cautiously optimistic. Was this a one-off? Or the start of something new?

Now we have our answer.

The fact that the city is organizing another major event—this time with high-profile entertainers and in the heart of the dog meat district—shows a clear and deliberate shift. The new local leadership is working to direct attention away from the horrific Dog Meat “Festival,” and we believe it’s because of the global outrage and condemnation of the event coupled with dwindling public support. Our Yulin team tells us it's common for the local government to use something new and exciting to move focus away from something controversial.

The truth is, most people in China do not eat dogs or cats. The outdated belief that dog meat brings good luck in the summer has been losing ground for years, and more Chinese citizens than ever are speaking out against the trade.

Change Doesn’t Happen Overnight—But It Happens

Not one dog or cat meat stand to be found on the bustling BingJiang Street in Yulin last year!

At Duo Duo Project, we’ve always believed in showing up—for the long haul. Old habits die hard. That’s why our team has been on the ground in China 365 days a year since 2014. We don’t just parachute in during the “festival.” We’re there every day, building trust with our culturally-sensitive approach, fostering compassion, and creating real change from the inside out.

Thanks to your support, we’ve organized spay/neuter initiatives, humane education events, hosted community celebrations that honor the human-animal bond, and—perhaps most importantly—built lasting friendships with community leaders. We’ve shown them that we’re not outsiders trying to shame them. We are partners, working toward a better future for Yulin.

This concert is a sign that those relationships matter.

We’re Not Done Yet

This is a moment to celebrate—but also a moment to double down.

The Dog Meat “Festival” has not been canceled… yet. But its grip is loosening. Every step away from public celebration of dog meat is a step closer to ending it for good. And we believe this concert is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter.

We need your help to keep that momentum going.

• Share this post with your friends and networks. Let the world see that progress is possible.

• Support our work so we can remain a steady force for good on the ground in China.

• Stay with us as we continue to turn heartbreak into hope.

Your support and trust mean the world to me and the entire Duo Duo Project Team. Thank you for standing with us.

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