Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has joined forces with Humane Society International for its campaign to shut down China's dog and cat meat trade, including the Yulin dog meat festival, due to take place June 22.

Gervais, who is asking supporters to sign a petition to China's Guangxi Party Secretary Peng Qinghua, said 'My friends at Humane Society International are working tirelessly to end this cruel trade all over Asia, and they desperately need your help. I've seen the footage that HSI has captured on video, and it breaks my heart. I will never forget the look of bewilderment and fear on the faces of these poor animals - the dogs and cats await a horrible fate. No animal deserves to be treated like this'.