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Fundraiser takes aim at dog meat trade overseas by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 29 | Thursday, October 6, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Alana Lewis' plan to adopt a rescue dog was put on hold after she came across a video on the dog meat trade and the "torture and cruelty" inherent in it. "I was devastated," she said, admitting it prompted her to research the issue, which led her to information about the abuse of dogs in parts of Asia. "How could this be happening? How is this possible? How could the world be so cruel?" the Glen Abbey resident asks. Lewis quickly discovered a number of animal activist groups fighting to shut down the industry that, according to the Humane Society International (HSI), kills millions of dogs. Lewis set out to help. She's behind Cause 4 Canines, a fundraiser set for Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Oakville Club, 56 Water St., beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $60 and include a free drink, beer tasting and d'oeuvres. From her home where her two young Dachshunds ran around playfully, Lewis described to the Oakville Beaver how the event is meant to raise awareness about the dog meat trade in hopes of encouraging others to take action. "I want this to be the start of something in someone else's heart, like what happened to Oakville resident Alana Lewis (left) is hosting Cause 4 Canines Oct. 22 at the Oakville Club to help raise funds for foundations involved in ending the dog meat trade in Asia. Lewis is pictured with Free Korean Dogs founder EK Park and Lewis' two miniature, longhair Dachshunds Kobi and Deaton. | Nikki Wesley/Metroland me, to start doing more," she said, noting how no graphic videos or images will be displayed at the Oaville fundraising event. There will be informational handouts on the dog meat trade, what it is and how people can help stop it. In South Korea alone, millions of canines are killed to make Boshintang soup, whose consumption is claimed to be beneficial by some. Lewis charges dogs are sent to slaughterhouses for human consumption in places like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and China. "These dogs are born into the cruel reality that they will never be held, loved or feel safe," she said. "Instead, their lives will be consumed with pain, fear, hopelessness and death." The sheer thought of this continuing to happen motivated Lewis to action. She noted it's difficult for many to delve into the issue but said that's a reason to act. "If you think it's that awful, you have to do something," she said. "To stand by and do nothing is not an option. We need to stand up. We need to create change." Proceeds from Cause 4 Canines will support numerous organizations. These include Toronto-based Free Korean Dogs, The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, Soi Dog, the Change for Animals Foundation and HSI, which is working in countries across Asia by participating in raids on trucks of dogs headed for slaughter, funding improved law enforcement and support care for confiscated animals. In China, HSI is fighting to end an annual Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, and in South Korea, see Dogs on p.30 O C TO B E R 6 - 1 6 FREE EARRINGS with your $125 PANDORA purchase! PA I R O F T H E PA N D O R A S T O R E AT BRAMALEA CITY CENTRE 905.792.8820 SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTRE 905.232.0661 MAPLEVIEW CENTRE 905.632.5400 ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE 905.828.5902 Free pair of earrings up to $60 value. Valid only at participating retailers. Void where prohibited. Not valid with prior purchase. While supplies last. Excludes gift card purchases. Prices before taxes.