This past May, Humane Society International (HSI) rescued more than 60 dogs from the South Korean meat trade.

Now, these dogs are in the United States and in need of loving homes.

As part of an effort by HSI to end the dog meat trade in South Korea, the organization has helped rescue more than 2,000 dogs from the Korean dog farms. This most recent rescue makes it the 16th farm the organization has helped dismantle since 2015.

“Rescuing animals from suffering and neglect is as important as ever,” said Kitty Block, CEO of HSI and the Humane Society of the United States.

“Thanks to the hard work of our staff and partners – both in Korea and the U.S. – these dogs will now have the happy lives they deserve: with families who love them.”

While dog meat is eaten in many Asian countries, South Korea is the only country that practices the large-scale farming of dogs strictly for human consumption.

Here, an estimated 2 million dogs are raised on thousands of meat farms every single year.

Oftentimes, the conditions of these farms are horrific with many animals living in empty, wire cages without access to proper shelter or care. The slaughtering is also particularly cruel, with reports stating that many of the dogs are simply electrocuted or hung to death.

Most South Koreans don’t routinely eat dog meat, but many believe it’s a traditional right.

Generally, dog meat is made into a tonic or soup that is consumed by older citizens who believe that it is beneficial for their health. The soup, known as Bosintang, is most commonly eaten during “bok nal” (the three hottest days of summer) and is thought to balance the body’s heat during the extreme weather. It is reportedly during bok nal days that 70-80% of the country’s dog meat is consumed.

HSI’s program aims to work with Korean dog farmers to help them transition into more profitable and humane business models.

After the farmers sign a contract stating that they won’t breed animals for 20 years, HSI helps them get into other types of farming – like the production and planting of medicinal herbs, water parsley, or blueberries, for example. HSI hopes the success of this program helps show the Korean government that phasing out the dog meat industry can be done with the cooperation of (as opposed to conflict with) the current dog farmers.

As mentioned, HSI’s most recent rescue was the sixteenth dog farm the organization has succeeded in shutting down. After the rescue, the dogs were then vaccinated, quarantined, and flown out to various shelter and rescuer partners upon confirming the animal’s good health.

Last month, it was announced that over 100 dogs saved from meat farms had been relocated to the mid-Atlantic United States and are now in a need of a home.

According to the HSI news release, the dogs be adopted from the following shelters:

• Angels of Assisi (Roanoke, VA)
• Animal Care Sanctuary (East Smithfield, PA)
• Animal Haven (New York, NY)
• Animal Welfare Association of NJ (Vorhees, NJ)
• Homeward Trails of Animal Rescue (DC, MD, VA)
• Humane Society of Calvert County (Sunderland, MD)
• Montgomery County SPCA (Amsterdam, NY)
• Tri-County Animal Shelter (Hughesville, MD)

If you are interested in adopting one of these rescued dogs, you are encouraged to contact the shelter directly for instructions on going forward with the adoption process.

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Sources: The Human Society of the United States, VICE News, HSI News & Media