A total of 196 canines were saved from South Korea’s dog farms, now awaiting adoption in the US and Canada.
The rescued dogs who are Pomeranians, golden retrievers, terriers, a poodle and Labrador, Mastiffs, and Korean Jindos were tended and checked before they were shuttled to assigned shelters in North America.
Most puppies were kept and cared at the Maryland shelter while the rest stay in the Montreal, Canada shelter, both operated by the corresponding country members of the Humane Society International (HSI).
The 170 dogs were saved from a South Korean dog meat farm that was shut down by HSI, its 17th. The other 26 canines were earlier saved by the organization but were detained due to the pandemic.
In all rescue operations, HSI has partnered with other US-based pet organizations, namely, Petey and Furends, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, SPCA Cincinnati, Humane Society of Calvert County, and Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue.
Thousands of such dog meat farms still operate in South Korea despite the fact that most of the country’s citizens don’t eat dog meat and there has been an increasing clamor against such trade.
Realizing the dwindling profitability and increased protest against their trade, meat farmers have now started talks with HIS on steps to address both livelihood and canine predicament. HIS, then, hopes that, with these steps, the South Korean government will implement a nationwide end to the trade.
Images & Feature Image Source: Jean Chung / HSI & Meredith Lee / HSUS