Dogs Rescued From Korean Meat Farm Get New Lease On Life
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Nearly two dozen dogs rescued from a meat farm in South Korea are one step closer to getting real homes. The Humane Society helped bring the dogs to the D.C. area.
Meghan McCorkell reports they're being transferred to shelters.
Twenty-three dogs were rescued from South Korea.
"Those dogs have lived their entire lives, years, in tiny cages," said Megan Webb, Animal Welfare League.
The animals were raised on a meat farm, where they were going to be slaughtered for food.
"Multiple dogs in a cage, wire floor. They may not even know how to walk on a floor," said Webb.
Now they're getting a new lease on life.
Friday, the dogs, including 12 puppies, were transferred to six D.C. area shelters, where they'll be available for adoption.
"Each dog's different and will acclimate at their own pace. And when they're ready and they let us know they're ready to go to their forever home, that information will be on our website," said Tawny Hammond, Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
The Humane Society rescued the dogs last week after negotiating with the owner of the dog meat farm. He agreed to stop raising the animals for slaughter and handed over the 23 pups.
Up to 2 million dogs a year are killed for meat in South Korea. Humane Society officials hope these dogs are the first of many that will be saved.
"Really these dogs are serving as ambassadors. There's a lot of other dogs," said Webb.
The Humane Society has spent a year trying to close down dog meat farms. This is the first time a farmer has agreed. They hope others will follow suit.
The shelters will evaluate the dogs' behavior before they are available for adoption.
Shelter officials hope the interest in the dogs from Korea will also lead to a spike in local adoptions.
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