Dogs Saved from South Korean Dog Meat Farm Now in NH

STRATHAM, NH - Five dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea by Humane Society International (HSI) arrived at the New Hampshire SPCA (NHSPCA) on May 9, 2016, where they are being evaluated and treated for any medical or behavioral issues and later be put up for adoption, according to a press statement from the organization.

Despite their lengthy journey and new surroundings, the five rescued dogs appear to be settling in to the NHSPCA well, according to Sheila E. Ryan, the director of development and marketing.

"Over the last week the animal care and behavior teams have allowed the dogs to slowly acclimate while developing a plan to prepare them for new homes," she said. "The team will slowly socialize the dogs and help them work through a large number of new experiences prior to placing them up for adoption."

The dogs are part of a group of 250 dogs and puppies rescued by HSI’s Animal Rescue Team from a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea. Due to the complex logistical planning needed to transport and place the high number of dogs to the United States, the HSI flew 79 dogs out in several shipments that began in February 2016. All of those dogs are now with shelters that are part of The Humane Society of the United States’ Emergency Placement Partner program.

In the final leg of the mission, HSI brought the remaining 171 dogs to the United States and Canada; 121 dogs were placed at its emergency shelter in Madison, NJ. Fifty dogs were transported nationwide to Emergency Placement Partner shelters, including the New Hampshire SPCA, as well as to foster families in Ottawa, Canada.

Due to the condition of the animals, they need to be handled gently, according to the organization.

“The New Hampshire SPCA is a proud Emergency Placement Partner shelter for the Humane Society of the United States,” said Lisa Dennison, the executive director of the NHSPCA. “The first line of our mission statement reads ‘To save the lives of companion animals through rescue, rehabilitation and adoption’ and while that typically refers to local animals and those rescued from overcrowded shelters in other parts of this country, when HSI contacted us, we could not turn our backs on these animals. They are dogs in need and we wanted to be here to help them find the life as a beloved companion just as we would for any dog in need.”

The HSI worked with the farm owner to permanently shut down his farm and remove all dogs from the farm. The HSI released video here showing the conditions of the farm before the dogs were prepared to shipped out for the Asian meat trade.

For more information about the New Hampshire SPCA, please visit nhspca.org.

Follow the New Hampshire SPCA on Facebook at facebook.com/NewHampshireSPCA.