Gallery: Dogs from South Korea arrive in San Diego [8 Images] Click any image to expand.
Dogs Arrive in San Diego from a South Korea “Dog Meat Farm”
By Chris O’Connell
It was a press release I received last month that I could not believe or maybe did not want to believe. Twenty nine dogs, out of 103, were coming to San Diego via San Francisco International Airport rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea.
Where we think of our pets as family members, dogs in South Korea are not considered living beings with personalities, they were described by Adam Parascandola, Director of Animal Protection and Crisis Response for Humane Society International (HSI) as “soulless”.
This was the 3rd farm shut down this year by HSI. The goal of HSI is to shut down as many farms as possible by 2018 as well as bring more exposure to this practice and to end the dog trade. The media coverage and success stories of dogs being adopted is also being reported back to South Korea to show there are alternatives to the dog meat trade. The first two previous farms shut down have been converted to a blueberry farm and a chili pepper farm. At the time this farm owner where 103 dogs were rescued is hoping to convert to a rice farm.
Adoptions have begun at the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) for the mostly mastiffs, Jindo-mixes and Chihuahuas. Most of the dogs are between 6 months and 2 years old. All dogs will be spayed/neutered, given a full health exam, vaccinated as well as microchipped.
SDHS has officially joined as an HSI partner with other rescues, in the Bay Area, Washington DC, & Washington State.
If you are interested in the remaining dogs from South Korea or any of the pets at the SDHS they can be reached San Diego Humane Society 5500 Gaines Street San Diego, CA 92110. (619) 299 7012 and www.sdhumane.org for more information on Humane Society International visit www.hsi.org
