Paws & Happenings

Dogs rescued from the China Meat Trade are coming to East Hampton to begin their new lives. For these animals, collaboration means a second chance at life, and for the East End community, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary.

The heart of this mission is Vivi Zhou, representing the Andy Sabin Family Foundation. Born in Shenyang, a city in northeast China, Vivi knows the harsh reality many dogs face there. When her mother stumbled upon a shelter in desperate need of renovation, Vivi refused to turn away. She founded Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue, rallied resources, rebuilt the shelter, hired staff, and ensured every dog would receive medical attention, good nutrition, and love. Today, Hope4Fur cares for more than 300 dogs, many of them purebred.

For Vivi, this work is profoundly personal.

‍“My dog Mocha saved my life during one of my darkest moments,” she shares. “Now, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward and give these animals the same chance at life that Mocha gave me.”

The first group of dogs bound for ARF Hamptons will include two basset hounds, three corgis, a pure white collie, a bichon frisé, a miniature Pinscher, and more—each one a survivor whose journey is only just beginning.

“The difference is our connection on the ground in China,” said Kim Nichols, ARF Hamptons Executive Director. “We know these dogs are being well cared for and getting the medical, nutritional, and emotional support they need while waiting to be transferred to the USA. That’s what makes this partnership so powerful.”

Every detail of the dogs’ journey to the U.S., from travel to customs clearance, is being managed with care by Run 2 the Rescue, ensuring their safety every step of the way.

“Run 2 the Rescue is thrilled to be partnering with ARF and Hope4Fur in saving the lives of these precious dogs, all of whom were destined to be someone’s meal in Southeast Asia without our intervention,” shares Run 2 The Rescue co-founder, Brandy Cherven. "“These dogs will now find wonderful homes and live wonderful lives.  A fairy tale ending after a horrific beginning.”

This effort is only possible through partnership and compassion: ARF Hamptons, the Andy Sabin Family Foundation, Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue, and Run 2 the Rescue, uniting across borders to save lives and write new stories of hope.

Follow along on Instagram as we share each step of their incredible journey!

Watch Part I >

Watch Part II >

About the Andy Sabin Family Foundation‍

The Andy Sabin Family Foundation supports causes around the world that strengthen communities, protect the environment, advance health, and promote animal welfare. Guided by a spirit of responsibility and compassion, the Foundation invests in initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact.

About Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue‍

Founded by Vivi Zhou, along with Andy Sabin, Hope4Fur China Dog Rescue is dedicated to transforming the lives of dogs rescued from the meat trade. What began as the renovation of a struggling local shelter has grown into a safe haven for more than 300 dogs, many of them purebred, who now receive proper medical care, nutrition, and love. Inspired by her own dog Mocha, who once saved her during a dark time, Vivi leads Hope4Fur with a personal mission to give every dog the same second chance at life.

About Run 2 the Rescue‍

Run 2 the Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which rescues dogs from the dog meat trade, providing critical medical treatment for rescued dogs and a place for them to heal. As part of its mission, Run 2 the Rescue assists other rescues in managing the complex logistics required to bring these survivors to the United States where they find loving homes.

About the China Meat Trade

In certain areas of China, dogs are brutally slaughtered for human consumption. These dogs are kept in deplorable conditions and suffer tremendous abuse before and during their slaughter. It is estimated that China slaughters 10 million dogs a year for human consumption, and to use their skins to manufacture leather products.

Eliza Liebowitz

My name is Eliza and I’m a Marketing Intern at ARF. I spend most of my time behind the camera or at my computer sharing the stories of the incredible animals and people that make this place so special. But behind every social media post and happy tail, there’s a whole team of interns working behind the scenes. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with some of my fellow interns. Whether they’re in the cattery, kennel or medical wing, each brings a unique drive and purpose to their work. Before you meet the amazing individuals who help ARF thrive behind the scenes, I want to share my story.

I was just five years old the first time I walked through ARF’s doors. I remember seeing animals who had endured unimaginable neglect—some trembling, some silent, all unsure if they were finally safe. That summer, my brother and I launched a LemonARF stand where we sold lemonade, seashells and raffle tickets to raise money for ARF. By the time I was nine, we had raised over $5,000. That experience taught me that compassion alone isn’t enough; action matters. Since then, I’ve carried that lesson into every chapter of my life. From co-chairing a community Blood and Pill Drive to founding a nonprofit, Clean Your Closets Out for Children, I’ve channeled that early spark into many initiatives. Now, returning to ARF as an intern feels like coming full circle. It’s a privilege to give back to the place that helped shape who I am. Now, I’m honored to introduce you to the rest of the ARF interns, each of whom brings their own passion, purpose and heart to this incredible organization.

Katie Love Kiratsous

Katie Love is a Kennel Intern at ARF and spends her days making sure each dog is understood and cared for. Her connection to rescue work began with the loss of her own dog, Bolt. His loss left a void, but it also sparked a realization: there are countless dogs in shelters waiting to become someone’s Bolt. This led Katie to find her way to ARF. At the shelter, Katie’s mornings start early with feeding and walking, but her work goes far beyond routine. Many dogs arrive scared or shut down, and it takes time and care to earn their trust.

She admits it’s easy to get attached to the animals and impossible to not want to take them all home. What surprised Katie most about interning at ARF is how much thought and individual care goes into every animal’s experience. “The staff knows each animal inside and out—what helps them feel safe, who they get along with and what kind of future home would let them thrive,” Kiratsous explains. For Katie, this internship has only deepened her commitment to rescue work; she knows animal rescue is something she’ll always want to be part of.

Sophia Kirchgaessner

Sophia is an Animal Care Intern at ARF who splits her time between socializing kittens in the catteries and spending time with dogs in the kennels or quarantine. Her journey with ARF began back in 2015, when her family adopted their first dog from the organization. In 2019, they welcomed another ARF dog into their home and that adoption experience sparked her interest in volunteering. Even as a young child, Sophia would visit ARF with her family to walk and play with the dogs. Now, she’s taken that love for animals a step further by helping them prepare for forever homes.

According to Kirchgaessner, the most challenging part of her work is learning to read each animals’ personality and figure out what they’re comfortable with. But it’s a challenge she takes on with patience and compassion. She believes one of the biggest misconceptions about shelter animals is that they’re all fearful or damaged. “They warm up faster than people expect—especially when they’re around the right people.” Kirchgaessner finds rescue work extremely rewarding and will continue to intern at ARF.

Jamie Leibman

Jamie is an Animal Care Intern at ARF who spends her Mondays caring for cats and dogs throughout the shelter. Her passion for animals started early—her mom is a veterinarian, so she grew up surrounded by pets and always knew she wanted to help animals in need. That lifelong love eventually led her to ARF, where she began interning in the summer of 2023. Jamie’s first days were spent shadowing in the medical wing before moving on to help in quarantine, the cattery, and the kennel. Now, her typical day includes feeding and socializing cats, walking dogs, cleaning, and making sure each animal gets individual attention and care.

What surprises Jamie most is how many animals end up at ARF through no fault of their own. “People think rescue animals must be aggressive or difficult, but many of them were just found on the road, rescued from puppy mills, or surrendered by owners who couldn’t keep them,” she explains. The hardest part, she says, is seeing older animals wait to be adopted. But that only deepens her desire to help. Jamie hopes to stay involved in animal rescue for years to come—and for now, she’s glad to be making a difference one Monday at a time.

It’s been an incredible summer learning from the ARF team and helping animals find the love they deserve. We may be interns, but our hearts are all in—this work has truly inspired us.

If you’d like to share your time and talents with ARF as an intern, please email a copy of your resume to info@arfhamptons.org.