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The 2024 Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, is going on right now, with many of the world’s biggest movie stars in attendance.
But there’s one first-time attendee who is really stealing the show on the red carpet: a Samoyed named Felicity, who was saved from being slaughtered in the dog meat trade.
While the slaughter and consumption of dogs is widely considered barbaric, it continues as a tradition in some parts of the world. During the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, held in China every June, thousands of dogs are killed and eaten, including strays and stolen pets, according to Humane Society International.
While many Yulin residents oppose the practice, and many international animal rights groups have tried to end the festival and save these dogs from slaughter, the practice continues.
NoToDogMeat, founded by Julia de Cadenet in 2009, helped bring widespread attention to the dog meat trade, and they remain dedicated to saving as many dogs as possible from this terrible fate.
One of those dogs was Felicity, who was rescued from slaughter and now lives in London with Julia.
“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,” she told the Daily Mail.
After narrowly avoiding the slaughterhouse, Felicity is now living her best life — and walking the red carpet at Cannes.
The dog recently strutted her stuff at the glamorous film festival, even wearing a custom gown made for her by volunteer Michelle Parker. This is the second year in a row she’s attended the festival, adorably drawing attention to the plight of dogs saved from 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,” Michelle told the Ilkley Gazette. “She deserves it so much and we hope that by telling Felicity’s story, and when people meet her they will be inspired to join our movement.”
“Felicity loves nothing more than strutting her stuff out and about raising awareness for the 700 dogs we have in our shelter looking for new homes,” Julia told the Daily Mail.
“She is completely unfazed by noise and crowds and is so trusting of humans despite all she has gone through.”
Despite its highbrow reputation, the Cannes Film Festival is actually quite a dog-friendly event. In addition to Felicity, many four-legged friends have been making a big impression at the festival, from celebrity pets to the canine stars of the premiering films.
(Cannes even has a special award for the festival’s best on-screen dog performance, punningly named the “Palm Dog.”)
Perhaps the biggest dog star of this year’s festival is Messi, who had a major breakthrough last year in the Palm d’Or-winning hit Anatomy of a Fall, and is now back hosting some red carpet segments for French television.
It’s incredible how Felicity’s luck turned around, going from nearly being slaughtered to walking the red carpet! Thank you to everyone who saved her ❤️
We hope this dog’s red carpet appearance inspires more awareness about the dog meat trade. Please share this story.
