Seeing how they run, jump, and play, you would never guess what these dogs had to endure.

Back in South Korea, on backyards of dirt and junk, cages lined the fences. Dogs press their snouts against the rusty metal bars, barking, yelping, and gnawing on the rails.

Metal bowls intended for food and water sit where the dogs also relieve themselves. This is the cage where they are born, and this is the world they’ll ever know. Because once they get out, it’s only because they’re headed for slaughter.

South Korea is one of the last holdouts for canine cuisine.

Just last 2018, as the country inched closer towards the Winter Olympics, the South Korean government asked 12 restaurants in the Pyeongchang area to stop selling dog meat. And as the media converged on the rapidly-dying culinary practice, it spurred the debate to whether South Koreans are being portrayed unfairly.

In a poll conducted in 2020, Nielsen found out that a vast majority of South Koreans have never consumed dog meat or say that they don’t intend to do so. And as the market quickly dwindles, dog farms now had to face the reality of disposing of the dogs.

Animal rights organizations that have been pushing back against the dog-eating culture have since worked tirelessly to redirect these dogs to other countries where they could be adopted.

One such organization is the Humane Society International.

The organization has been working with these dog farms since 2015. So far, they have rescued thousands of dogs and managed to find loving homes for them in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe.

They work closely with dog farmers, especially those who wanted to leave the trade but have no means to do so, and with the South Korean government.

Their aim is to transition these dog farmers to other sustainable businesses so they could permanently shut down the operation.

Just recently, over a hundred dogs arrived at one of the Human Society’s facilities.

Morgan Rivera from the organization’s Animal Rescue and Response excitedly shared that seventy dogs were turned over to the organization’s care. She said that these dogs will receive the care they deserve physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The plan is to rehabilitate these dogs so they could be endorsed for adoption.

To get them ready for their forever homes, the staff engage them in mental exercises involving easy puzzles, treats and toys. More than that, they spend time with the dogs daily to improve their socialization skills.

It’s still a long journey for these dogs but they are now safe from hurt.

Meanwhile, the government of South Korea has been mulling over a law to ban dog meat consumption. Their president said it’s a good time to consider the legislation as the demand continues to plummet and with the majority of South Koreans supporting such a move.

While dog meat is not part of any mainstream culinary culture, the practice can still be seen in China, Southeast Asia, India, some parts of Africa, and Switzerland.

Watch how this organization takes care of dogs rescued from meat farms.

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Source: YouTube – The Humane Society of the United States, BBC, South China Morning Post, National Geographic, Humane Society, Faceboook – Humane Society International