One charity’s fight to end the dog and cat meat trade has moved into Cambodia, where local people are getting behind the drive for change.

The London-based NoToDogMeat charity supports people in countries with a dog meat trade in their campaigns to make a difference, and has recently helped to set up a small shelter in the country.

Supporting grassroots animal welfare organisations in the country, NoToDogMeat’s aim is to build on recent legislation in the city of Siem Reap, which banned the dog and cat meat trade.

The charity and campaigners are pushing for a blanket ban across the country, and also measures which make the ban enforceable.

In Cambodia some dog meat restaurants still operate, and some people pay a high price for cats as they believe that they cure ailments.

But the tide is turning, and a growing majority of Cambodian people are taking issue with the practice, which is unsanitary and cruel.

Last year the charity started work in the country by helping rescuers involved with spay and neuter projects for stray cats, and the project is steadily growing in size and effectiveness.

Julia de Cadenet, a London lawyer who set up the charity eight years ago this week, said: “Our charity was set up to support grassroots organisations that want to make a difference, not just talk about change but really create it.

“Our project is in its infancy and everyone is working so hard and building from scratch. We have been told we are changing lives, because before the campaigners had wanted to do something, but now they have the opportunity to make a real difference.

“Best of all, we know that this project will help us help more cats and dogs. Using our experience from building our main shelter in Beijing, we are building compassion brick by brick.”

To find out more about NoToDogMeat and donate go to www.notodogmeat.com