On Sunday evening 14 travel-weary dogs from South Korea arrived At Dulles International Airport. They were rescued from deplorable conditions and certain death at an illegal dog meat farm in Jeonju.
Their 2-day journey to freedom – and the new lives that come next – were made possible by the combined efforts of Humane Society International and the Richmond SPCA.
Korean officials were tipped off by neighbors about the illegal dog meat operation and it has since been shut down. The Virginia group consists of 9 males and 5 females, including a mama dog and her pups. Most of the adults are around one or two years old.
After receiving vaccinations and undergoing a period of quarantine, the dogs were first flown to San Francisco before eventually arriving in Virginia. They were lovingly welcomed by staff members from the Richmond SPCA and brought back to the shelter to begin their lives in America.
This is the Richmond SPCA’s first experience with international rescue, although they have teamed up with HSI in the past to help pets displaced by natural disasters across the country.
Robin Robertson-Starr, CEO of the Richmond SPCA said that the dogs will see a veterinarian and undergo behavioral analysis before being officially put up for adoption She expects them to be ready to go the next few weeks.
She described the dogs to WBAY News as “frightened, but very nice,” and added:
“These dogs have never really known human kindness.”
Since 2014, Humane Society International has rescued 540 South Korean dogs from brutal fates. Along with partners across the United States and Canada, they have made it their mission to end the dog meat trade by closing down meat farms and offering money to South Korean farmers to plant crops instead.
The annual Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, China, has helped to place the dog meat trade squarely in the sights of animal lovers and activists the world over. Rescue organizations are combining their efforts and working to make this cruel and savage practice a thing of the past.
To find out when the dogs will be available for adoption and track their ongoing story, follow the Richmond SPCA on Facebook. The “Jeonju 14” have yet to receive names, but word has it their new pals at the shelter may name them after South Korean cities or Korean pop stars.
H/T to Richmond Times Dispatch
