AceShowbiz - Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch is spearheading a new animal rights campaign to raise awareness about China's barbaric Yulin dog meat festival.

The annual event, during which domestic animals are stripped of their skin, takes place later this month, and the Irish actress has become the latest celebrity to attempt to shut it down.

Evanna has joined forces with the Humane Society International in an effort to end the suffering for countless dogs and cats.

In a new public service announcement, she reveals an estimated four million cats a year are killed for human consumption in China. The cat lover visited one rescued kitty, Li, in north London.

"When I first found out that cats are also victims of Asia's deadly meat trade, it broke my heart," Lynch says. "I love all animals, but cats have a special place in my heart so I was delighted to meet Li and see how she's put her distressing meat trade ordeal behind her."