(Photo courtesy of videoworksbend.com)
Together the Humane Society of Central Oregon and BrightSide Animal Center received twenty-eight dogs, formerly part of the Korean dog meat trade, over the Easter holiday. After an international flight from South Korea through Humane Society International’s (HSI) rescue program, the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) and BrightSide Animal Center (BSAC) transported 28 dogs from San Francisco to Central Oregon.
The organizations will provide these dogs and puppies an opportunity to live a full life, away from the deplorable conditions they were raised in.
The 28 rescued South Korean dogs are a variety of breed mixes including Labrador, Mastiff, Jindo and Elkhound. The dogs range from four months and six pounds to two years and 150 pounds. The dogs received medical evaluations over the holiday weekend at HSCO and BSAC. Veterinarians, a behaviorist and animal care staff from each organization will spend the coming days ascertaining the health and well-being of the dogs. The final leg of their journey will be finding homes after an adjustment period to their new environment, and learning more about each dog.
When approached by the Humane Society of the United States to care for 28 of the 250 dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea, both non-profits were in the position to help these dogs in desperate need. Due to the impact on resources, you can help the animals by donating to both shelters at hsco.org and brightsideanimals.org. Donations will enable BSAC and HSCO to provide necessary care and medical treatments each dog may need.
Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement for HSI, said “We are proud to work with HSUS Emergency Placement Partner, Humane Society of Central Oregon and Brightside Animal Center, to help find these dogs permanent homes with loving and caring families in Oregon.
Both the Humane Society of Central Oregon and BrightSide Animal Center are 501c3 nonprofit animal shelters dedicated to finding homes for pets and reducing pet homelessness. For more information, visit brightsideanimals.org and www.hsco.org.
Becky Stock, BrightSide Executive Director, 541-923-0882 becky@brightsideanimals.org
Lynne Ouchida, Humane Society of Central OR, Outreach Manager, 541-350-2589 Lynne@hsco.org
Raul Arce-Contreras, Humane Society International, 240-620-3263, rcontreras@humanesociety.org
Background from Humane Society International
The dogs are part of a group of 250 dogs and puppies rescued 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 in the U.S., the dogs are being flown out in several shipments that began in February 2016. Many of the dogs are being transported to shelters that are part of The Humane Society of the United States’ Emergency Placement Partner program, as well as to foster families in Ottawa, Canada. About 175 remaining dogs will make their way to the U.S. in late April to an emergency shelter in New Jersey managed by HSI.
HSI worked with the farm owner to remove the dogs from miserable conditions. As part of the plan, the farmer signed an agreement with HSI to stop raising dogs for meat. HSI provided assistance to make the transition possible and will follow the farmer’s progress to ensure compliance.
HSI is working to reduce the dog meat trade in Asia, including South Korea where dogs are farmed for the trade – and where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held. HSI will work with other dog farmers who agree to get out of the inhumane dog meat trade permanently and transition into non-animal based trades.
