Over the weekend, SPCA Cincinnati welcomed 23 dogs to their Sharonville rescue that were saved from the South Korean dog meat trade.
The operation was facilitated by Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States, which rescued a total of 196 dogs, who are going to various shelters throughout Ohio, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania.
"Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, HSI’s U.S. team quarantined for two weeks at a government-sanctioned hotel in Seoul before being allowed to head to a dog meat farm in Haemi to rescue the dogs," a press release from SPCA Cincinnati reads.
"These dogs include golden retrievers, a poodle, Korean jindos and mastiffs, pomeranians, terriers and a labrador."
The dogs arrived at the Cincinnati rescue on Saturday morning (Oct. 24) and are in the process of being evaluated and treated for any medical conditions, as well as getting comfortable with cozy beds and nutritious meals for the first time in their lives.
Our focus is rehabilitating these animals from a medical and behavioral standpoint with every available resource, ensuring that they are healthy and adoptable," the release says.
A large portion of the rescue mission was carried out at one specific dog meat farm that was "closed down by a charity in partnership with the farmer." According to the release, South Korea is the only country where large-scale dog farming for consumption takes place (roughly 2 million dogs per year are raised for meat), and local animal welfare groups and Korean TV have been working hard to bring awareness to the industry.
If you'd like to donate in support of SPCA rescue efforts, visit spcacincinnati.org/donate-now. Follow along on their Facebook page for updates about the dogs.
SPCA Cincinnati, 11900 Conrey Road, Sharonville.
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