Dog rescued from China's meat trade attends Cannes Film Festival

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• Felicity was rescued from the Chinese meat trade by UK charity NoToDogMeat
• READ MORE: Charity urges westerners in China to avoid Yulin dog meat festival amid concerns visitors could 'embolden' event organisers

A dog who was rescued from China's meat trade has been snapped on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival sporting a custom-made gold gown.

Samoyed Felicity was rescued from a 'brutal slaughterhouse' by London-based charity NoToDogMeat.

The organisation was founded in 2009 by Julia de Cadenet, after she saw for herself the horrors of the trade.

According to NoToDogMeat, it was the first charity to bring the annual June Yulin Dog Meat Festival to the world's attention, and now holds United Nations Special Consultative status.

Felicity, just one of the many dogs (and cats) saved by the charity, now lives in the UK with Julia.

And the courageous pooch acts as the ambassador for the cause, raising awareness by attending different events and meeting people.

Felicity first attended the Cannes Film Festival, which is a long-time supporter of the cause, last year.

This year, she returned to the red carpet, wearing a hand-made gold dressed specially created by charity volunteer Michelle Parker from Leeds, and scooping a nomination as best dressed at the Festival.

A photo of Felicity at the screening of Girl with a Needle went viral and led to multiple nominations of one of Cannes 24 best dressed.

Last year, Michelle made Felicity a red dress adapted from a prom outfit she purchased online.

This year, she was even more ambitious, hand-stitching roses onto gold organza. It took her more than 40 hours to complete the dress.

According to NoToDogMeat CEO Julia de Cadenet: ' Felicity loves nothing more than strutting her stuff out and about raising awareness for the 700 dogs we have in our shelter looking for new homes'

'She is completely unfazed by noise and crowds and is so trusting of humans despite all she has gone through'

'Michelle had the idea to make Felicity a handmade gown and she modelled it on the doggy pageant outfit her dog Keisha had previously worn.'

She continued: 'It was really special for Felicity to wear it at such a high-profile event and although her best friend Keisha is no longer with us, it was a lovely memory.'

Speaking after Felicity attended Cannes last year, Julia said she hoped the animal's story would help to educate and inspire people to act in the fight against the dog meat trade.

She added: 'When we found Felicity she was in a terrible state, but over time and with a lot of love and care her outgoing personality has blossomed.

'She really is a miracle and loves to show off and meet people, so this really is a perfect moment for her.

'She deserves it so much and we hope that by telling Felicity's story, and when people meet her, they will be inspired to join our movement.

NoToDogMeat Charity rescues many dogs like Felicity each year and hopes they will all find loving homes.

It operates projects in China, Cambodia and the Philippines, where it works with local people who want to make a difference.

It currently cares for more than 750 dogs at its shelters in China.