Charity's mission to help disabled victims of Chinese meat trade

A UK charity which specialises in helping disabled dogs is travelling more than 5,000 miles to China to give some of the most vulnerable survivors of the dog meat trade a second chance at life.

Volunteers Broken Biscuits, which is based in Lincolnshire, will travel to Harbin in north-east China on March 15, alongside two specialist orthopaedic veterinarians from The Vet Station in Surrey.

Their mission is to support a rescue shelter caring for dogs saved from the meat trade, and help some of the most severely injured animals regain mobility.

Tim Giles, co-founder of Broken Biscuits, adjusting a wheelchair.

The team will work with Harbin SHS Animal Rescue, run by Irish rescuer Hayley Hayes, who has devoted her life to saving dogs destined for slaughter and giving them sanctuary and medical care.

During the visit, the UK vets will perform orthopaedic assessments and surgeries, while also sharing specialist skills and rehabilitation techniques with the shelter team to improve the long-term care of injured dogs.

A number of the rescued dogs are expected to travel to Europe as part of the international collaboration, the most seriously injured dogs coming to the UK under the care of Broken Biscuits.

Many of the animals arriving at the shelter suffer from untreated fractures, joint damage or spinal injuries after years of neglect, trauma and harsh living conditions. Some are unable to walk.

Without access to specialist veterinary treatment, many would likely spend the rest of their lives in shelters unable to regain mobility.

Tim Giles and Dr Vanessa Waite.

Once in the UK, the dogs will undergo life-changing orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation through Broken Biscuits’ veterinary partners, giving them the chance to walk again and eventually find loving homes.

Tim Giles, co-founder of Broken Biscuits, said: "Disabled dogs are often the ones left behind, even after they’ve been rescued.

"Many of the dogs we’re going to help have injuries that have never been treated. With the right surgery and rehabilitation they can walk again and live happy lives.

"This mission is about giving those dogs a real future — and also sharing our vets’ knowledge so many more dogs can be helped long after we leave."

Dr Vanessa Waite, from The Vet Station, said: "These dogs are living with injuries that would normally be treatable if they had access to specialist care. By working alongside the shelter team and sharing orthopaedic techniques, we hope to transform outcomes for many animals."

Broken Biscuits specialises in rescuing and rehabilitating disabled and mobility-impaired dogs, including those with paralysis, amputations or complex orthopaedic conditions — animals that are often overlooked in traditional rescue pathways.

The charity hopes the mission will not only change the lives of the dogs travelling to the UK, but also leave lasting veterinary knowledge that will help many more injured animals in the future.

Supporters can follow the journey and help fund the dogs’ transport, surgeries and rehabilitation through Broken Biscuits’ online channels.