QINHUANGDAO, CHINA — 320 dogs on a truck bound for slaughter in Jilin, China’s second largest dog meat market, were rescued this week thanks to the determination of animal activists who simply refused to get out of the way.

On July 23, as the truck was driving through Qinhuangdao, with the dogs crammed together for at least 12 hours in hot conditions without food or water, the activists spotted the vehicle and quickly coordinated a plan with local netizens to tail the truck and call in the police.

Eating dog meat is legal in China, but health certificates must be issued for each animal to be slaughtered upon request. When the police asked the truck driver to present the documents, none were available, and so the dogs were released into the hands of activist group China Animal Protection Power. Now in a treatment facility receiving medical care, these pups will soon be put up for adoption in the coming days.

While this happy ending may be satisfying, it’s also a reminder of the 10 million dogs slaughtered for their meat every year in China that aren’t as lucky, and the work left to be done for the world to come to their aid.