Charity fundraiser sees animal lovers working up a sweat to raise money for the forsaken pups of Suzhou and Wuxi, James Skinner reports.

While minds have understandably been focused on the recent COVID-19 outbreak, a kindhearted bunch of expats in Jiangsu province hasn't forgotten the plight of China's many homeless dogs.

The group are running a 60-day charity weight loss fundraiser for animals living in two shelters-the Suzhou Animal Protection Association and Wuxi's Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, with the challenge having started on April 20.

It's the second year in a row that the fundraiser has been held, with the organizers hoping to raise enough cash to continue the shelters' vital work.

Last year, the group raised over 45,000 yuan ($6,360) through a weight loss challenge and sponsored dog walk.

Participants in this year's event have to pay 100 yuan to take part and must send in their current weight once a week. They can also compete in regular exercise challenges, with a host of prizes on offer.

Canadian expat Heather Bijloos, 44, has lived in Wuxi for the past eight years and is helping to run this year's event.

"I first got into this after rescuing several homeless dogs from the streets," she says. "If they were injured or sick, I would get them healthy again before trying to re-home them, although some of them became permanent family members."

Later, she was approached by someone who asked if she could help run SCARS.

"The first time I visited the shelter, I ended up adopting a dog straight away," Bijloos says.

The mother-of-two has been involved with the shelter and rescue work ever since, becoming one of a handful of "go-to" locals who regularly get contacted to help rescue animals.