AN INTREPID Kidderminster canine is hoping to make a splash to help support dogs rescued from the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China.

Shiloh, who is a Chinese Crested Chihuahua, is set to swim two lengths of the hydrotherapy pool at Bluewaters Pet Centre in Droitwich to raise money for Humane Society International.

The four-year-old, who weighs just 1.6kg, suffers from a slipped patella and currently uses the pool for therapy sessions.

And, while he hasn’t swum two lengths before, owner Emma Martin said Shiloh enjoys swimming and she is confident he will be able to complete the challenge.

She hopes that Shiloh will complete the challenge on August 16 – his fifth birthday.

Emma said: “We wanted to do something to make a difference and support dogs that have been rescued from the Yulin Festival.

“Shiloh has a slipped patella and because he is so tiny, he would struggle with surgery so I was told hydrotherapy might help him.

“He swims every day and it certainly seems to be helping him get stronger. He took to it like a duck to water really!

“At present, he has never swum as much as two lengths in one session but it isn’t something I would have done if he didn’t enjoy it and he absolutely loves it.

“Shiloh is a brave and enthusiastic dog. He might be very tiny but he doesn’t seem to have any idea just how small he is. He seems to think he is a Rottweiler! We have two other dogs but Shiloh definitely rules the house.”

Anyone wishing to support Shiloh in his challenge can do so by visiting the Just Giving page at

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-martin58