The Humane Society reported some great news! 171 dogs from South Korean dog meat farms landed at Dulles International airport at the end of May to find new homes.

The dogs will now find new homes in the United States and Canada after receiving rehabilitation, assessments and veterinary care.

“No matter how many dogs we rescue from this brutal trade, it never gets easier to stomach the harsh, terrifying conditions we find the survivors enduring,” said Kitty Block, CEO of Humane Society International and president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “On the most recent dog farm rescue that HSI worked on, the scene that greeted our team was particularly sobering because slaughter had been conducted on-site at this farm. Because of the tireless work of our staff and our partner groups in Korea, these dogs are one step closer to a new beginning as cherished family members.”

The dogs were saved from meat farms and terrible conditions in Gimpo, Haemi, and Yongin by the team at Humane Society International and network partners. In one former dog meat farm, rows and rows of cages lined the block where many starving and skeletal dogs were living.

According to In Defense of Animals, an estimated 2.5 million dogs are raised and killed each year for meat in South Korea. They are kept in cramped cages and get no exercise or medical care. Many pups are taken from the streets as well as from people’s homes. Read more about the dog meat trade in South Korea including the closing of a notorious market, dogs rescued from South Korea, how these rescue dogs found families in California, and an investigation inside the dog meat trade.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt instead of shop. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!

Sign this petition to end the dog meat trade in South Korea!

Related Content:

• Footage from South Korean Dog Meat Auction Shows 200 Dogs Stuffed in Crates, Barking in Fear and Being Prodded with Metal Hooks
• Korean Dog Meat Survivors Find Forever Homes in California!
• 3 Major Health Concerns Associated with Dog Meat Trade
• Cambodian Dog Meat Slaughterhouse Shut Down by Animal Welfare Group; Rescued Dogs Happily Recovering
• Where do Dogs for the Meat Trade Come From? Turns Out Most are Stolen From Rural Homes
• Criminal Minds Actor Daniel Henney Adopts Sweet Pup Rescued from South Korean Dog Meat Farm
• The Real, Tragic Stories of Pet Dogs Stolen From Their Homes and Sold Into the Meat Trade

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!