A Decade of Compassion: No Dogs Left Behind Celebrates 10 Years and Over 10,000 Lives Saved from Slaughter

SAG HARBOR, NEW YORK — In a milestone decade of relentless advocacy, rescue, and rehabilitation, the international animal welfare organization No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB) is celebrating a monumental achievement: "One Decade, Over 10,000 Lives Saved from Slaughter."

Founded in 2016 by visionary animal rights advocate Jeff Beri, NDLB has grown from a grassroots initiative into a globally recognized, U.S.-based non-profit organization operating extensive sanctuaries and rescue networks across East Asia. To mark its tenth anniversary, the organization launched a high-profile, community-centric fundraising campaign in New York, combining star power, moving survivor stories, and grassroots mobilization to secure a critical future for its life-saving operations.

Main Facts: The Milestone and the Mission

The commemorative events kicked off earlier this month with a vibrant gathering at the Kidd Squid Brewing Co. in Sag Harbor, New York. The evening was designed not only to look back at a decade of defying the odds, but to look forward with an ambitious objective: raising $150,000 to fuel upcoming large-scale rescue campaigns.

• The Organization: No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB), a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to rescuing dogs from the illegal dog meat trade in East Asia, providing emergency veterinary care, operating sanctuaries, and facilitating international adoptions.
• The Milestone: 10 years of operation, resulting in more than 10,000 individual canine lives saved from slaughterhouses, wet markets, and abuse.
• The Event: A family-friendly, dog-inclusive celebration held on September 4 at Kidd Squid Brewing Co. in Sag Harbor, featuring gourmet food, live music, community networking, and a special appearance by NBA star Josh Hart.
• The Goal: A critical fundraising target of $150,000 to sustain upcoming rescue operations, emergency medical interventions, and sanctuary operations overseas.

Chronology: Ten Years of Defying the Odds

To understand the magnitude of NDLB’s current celebrations, one must look back at the harrowing and inspiring chronology of the organization’s growth since its inception in 2016.

2016–2018: The Genesis and Ground Zero

Jeff Beri founded No Dogs Left Behind out of an urgent, unyielding necessity to confront the horrific realities of the East Asian dog meat trade. Operating primarily on the ground in China, Beri and an early network of brave volunteers infiltrated slaughterhouses, intercepted illegal dog meat transport trucks, and negotiated the release of terrified animals destined for the butcher’s block. These early years were defined by chaos, danger, and sheer adrenaline, as rescuers built makeshift safe havens to house traumatized survivors.

2019–2021: Scaling Up and Global Advocacy

As the organization gained international traction, NDLB transitioned from emergency extractions to systemic rehabilitation. The group established structured sanctuaries in East Asia, offering long-term medical care, behavioral rehabilitation, and socialization programs. Simultaneously, NDLB launched aggressive public awareness campaigns, leveraging digital platforms to expose the cruelty of the dog meat trade to a global audience, transforming passive observers into active international donors and advocates.

2022–2024: The Logistics of Hope

Rescuing a dog from a slaughterhouse is only the first battle; transporting an animal across international borders requires navigating complex bureaucratic, veterinary, and legal frameworks. During this period, NDLB perfected its pipeline for international adoption, successfully vetting and placing thousands of survivors into loving, permanent homes across North America and Europe. The organization also expanded its network of local volunteers, foster families, and corporate sponsors.

2025–Present: Reaching the 10,000 Mark

Entering its tenth year, NDLB officially surpassed the monumental milestone of 10,000 lives saved. Rather than slowing down, the organization marked the anniversary by launching its most ambitious fundraising and operational push yet—kicked off by the high-profile Sag Harbor benefit event in September.

Supporting Data: The Impact of the Sag Harbor Kickoff

The September 4 event at Kidd Squid Brewing Co. was more than a celebratory party; it was a masterclass in community organizing and philanthropic engagement. Embodying the premise of a "Dogs & Children Welcome" gathering, the brewery was transformed into a bustling hub of civic compassion.

• Community Integration: Attendees of all generations, alongside their canine companions, filled the venue. The atmosphere was charged with shared purpose as local residents, families, and animal advocates mingled over gourmet pizza, finger foods, and signature cocktails, all set against a backdrop of live acoustic music.
• Celebrity Amplification: The evening received a major boost from professional basketball player Josh Hart of the NBA champion New York Knicks. Known widely for his affinity for animals, Hart spent nearly an hour actively engaging with the crowd. He signed autographs, posed for photographs with star-struck children and parents, and interacted warmly with the rescued dogs in attendance.
• Corporate and Local Partnerships: The success of the evening was underwritten by a robust coalition of local businesses and sponsors, including Kidd Squid Brewing Co., Candy and Mark Udell, Tramontano Produce, Tutto Café, BonBon NYC, Gone Bananas Bread, The Farmer’s Dog, and Maura Platz. Their collective contributions ensured that overhead costs were minimized, maximizing the direct financial impact of the event.

Official Responses and Testimonials

The emotional core of the evening belonged to the survivors—both human and canine—who took the stage to share their lived experiences with the organization.

Jeff Beri on the Power of Momentum

Reflecting on the milestone and the community response in Sag Harbor, NDLB founder Jeff Beri emphasized that the celebration is merely a launching pad for future interventions.

"Several of our most large-scale campaigns start now," Beri stated during the event. "The support from Sag Harbor and everyone who has donated will provide a powerful foundation toward reaching this goal. Please help us keep the momentum going by donating now."

Beri also expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected highlights of the evening, particularly the genuine involvement of high-profile supporters like Josh Hart.

"Seeing Josh Hart engage so genuinely with the kids and the dogs was a highlight of the year," Beri said. "The memories made by the families here are priceless, and we are so grateful for his support in amplifying our mission."

Living Proof: Adopters and Survivors Take the Stage

Perhaps the most persuasive testimony to NDLB’s success came from four families who adopted survivors of the dog meat trade. Introducing their dogs—Mercy, Simba, Flash, and Bozie—to the audience, the adopters shared personal accounts of rehabilitation.

Once broken, terrified animals facing certain death in foreign slaughterhouses, Mercy, Simba, Flash, and Bozie stood proudly as gentle, affectionate family pets. Their transformation served as living proof of the efficacy of NDLB’s rehabilitation model. These dogs now act as ambassadors for the movement to end the dog meat trade in East Asia, demonstrating to the public that slaughterhouse survivors possess immense capacity for trust and love.

Furthermore, several of NDLB’s longest-serving volunteers took the floor to recount the grueling, emotional journey of the past decade. Their stories highlighted the logistical nightmares of international transport, the heartbreak of loss, and the unyielding joy of seeing a traumatized animal take its first step onto safe, American soil.

Implications: The Road Ahead for No Dogs Left Behind

As No Dogs Left Behind steps into its second decade, the implications of its ongoing work extend far beyond the individual animals it pulls from danger.

1. Financial Imperatives and the $150,000 Target

The immediate operational challenge facing NDLB is the successful completion of its $150,000 fundraising campaign. These funds are not allocated for administrative overhead; rather, they are earmarked for urgent, on-the-ground initiatives, including:

• Emergency medical interventions for newly intercepted dogs suffering from severe trauma, malnutrition, and infectious diseases.
• Upgrades and maintenance for overseas sanctuaries that house hundreds of dogs awaiting international flight arrangements.
• Funding the complex legal, veterinary, and logistical pipelines required to transport survivors from Asia to adoptive families in the West.

2. Shifting Cultural Paradigms in East Asia

By shining a global spotlight on the illegal dog meat trade, NDLB and allied organizations are contributing to a gradual, generational shift in cultural attitudes toward animals in East Asia. Local activists, supported by international funding and awareness, are increasingly pressuring governments to enforce animal protection laws, shutter illegal wet markets, and penalize dog meat traffickers.

3. Strengthening the Domestic Animal Welfare Community

Events like the Sag Harbor fundraiser illustrate the vital connection between international rescue operations and local American communities. By fostering environments where families, children, and rescue dogs can interact organically, NDLB cultivates a culture of lifelong empathy and responsible pet ownership. This grassroots engagement ensures a steady supply of volunteers, foster homes, and donors for years to come.

How You Can Help

The battle to end the dog meat trade and rescue vulnerable animals is far from over. No Dogs Left Behind relies entirely on the generosity of the public, corporate partners, and animal lovers worldwide to sustain its mission.

The pet industry, animal welfare advocates, and concerned citizens can contribute directly to NDLB’s $150,000 tenth-anniversary campaign by visiting the official donation portal at No Dogs Left Behind Network for Good.

As Jeff Beri and his team look toward the next ten years, one message remains clear: through community, compassion, and unwavering resolve, no dog will be left behind.