The Lychee and Dog Meat Festival, commonly referred to as Yulin Dog Meat Festival, is an annual celebration held in Yulin, Guangxi, China, during the summer solstice in which festival goers eat dog meat and lychees. The festival spans about ten days during which it is estimated that 10,000–15,000 dogs are consumed. Except the festival some people over there do consume the dog or cat meat in their everydays life. The tradition of dog meat consumption began over 400 years ago in China. Many believed that dog meat would help ward off the heat felt through the summer months. There's also a belief that eating dog meat helps them fight evil spirits and men over there believe that it benifits their sexual life. It wasn't until recent years where the festival in Yulin began. The festival has been criticised by animal welfare supporters.