Violet, Blue, Orange, Green – 11 Beagles rescued from the South Korean meat trade are currently identified only by the colored ribbons around their necks. They are slated to arrive in the United States in May where they will be given names and loving homes for the first time. Seattle Beagle Rescue (SBR) has agreed to welcome all 11 dogs, ranging in age from two to seven, and embark on the rewarding journey of preparing them physically and emotionally for adoption.
Violet and company were liberated from a puppy mill by the Korean rescue group, Empathy for Life. Their prior lives consisted of being repeatedly bred in filthy outdoor pens. Their puppies were sold off to research laboratories. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, the mill owner devised a plan to sell the remaining animals into the dog meat trade.
Empathy for Life saved them from this brutal fate, but they needed an American partner to join in their crusade. When the tight-knit group of volunteers at Seattle Beagle Rescue heard about the dogs’ plight, they knew they wanted to get involved.
They foster and rehome Beagles from several states and regularly work with a high-kill shelter in California, but they have never participated in an international rescue.
As the reported number of Korean dogs rose from four to eight and then 10 to 11, the group never wavered. They were determined to provide the little refugees with a port in the storm, no matter the cost.
While preparations are made for their one-way trip to America, the dogs are receiving some much needed love and human contact from their friends at Empathy for Life. Each day volunteers spend time with the dogs individually, desensitizing them to the feel of a gentle touch and the sound of a kind voice.
The 11 Beagles have not been spayed or neutered and at least seven of them are heartworm positive. Connie Wheeler, vice president of Seattle Beagle Rescue, told iHeartDogs that despite their medical concerns, what they need above all else is the stability and reassurance of a loving home.
“Socialization is going to be key for these dogs. Absolutely every sight, sound and smell is going to be new to them. Luckily we have several trainers and a wonderful group of experienced fosters willing to take a chance on them.”
Many of SBR’s current foster pawrents have committed to taking in dogs from South Korea, but to ensure every dog – including those rescued locally – has a safe place to land, they need more fosters!
If you live in Washington state and are willing to open your home to a Beagle in need, send an email to info@beaglerescue.org or fill out a foster form.
On top of the sizable veterinary expenses the group is expecting, they will also be covering the dogs’ transportation costs from Korea to the west coast – an estimated $8,000! Learn more and pledge your support on their GoFundMe page or make a fee-free contribution via the Seattle Beagle Rescue website.
Let’s help SBR make their first international rescue effort a huge success!
All images via Seattle Beagle Rescue
