Two dogs that were saved from the Korean dog meat trade by In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Jindo Love Rescue arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on July 13, per an email from IDA.

Source: In Defense of Animals–Jindo Love Rescue

The pups, Nabi and Jack, followed 9 other survivors that arrived in Los Angeles since May. “We couldn’t be happier for these dogs, who are so deserving of all the love in the world. We wish them and their new families the best, and hope their lives are filled with fun and adventure,” said Patti Kim, President of Jindo Love Rescue, in an emailed statement. “We’re now working hard on securing transportation for still more dogs who have been adopted during this unprecedented time, and have families who can’t wait to meet them.”

Source: In Defense of Animals–Jindo Love Rescue

The organizations rely on travelers who volunteer to act as couriers and bring dogs to North America from South Korea, but dogs who have adopters waiting have been delayed by a lack of travelers. Unaccompanied dogs must travel as cargo which is an expensive backup option, especially since costs were raised at the end of March

Source: In Defense of Animals–Jindo Love Rescue

With travel disrupted it can be difficult to save dogs from cruel conditions. “COVID-19 has seriously damaged our ability to save dogs from the dog meat trade,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director at In Defense of Animals. “But we’ve been touched by the number of people who responded to our call for help. It’s only thanks to generous people who care that we were able to get these dogs from hell to heaven despite the challenge posed by international animal rescue during a pandemic.”

According to IDA, an estimated 2.5 million dogs are raised and killed each year for meat in South Korea. Read more about the dog meat trade in South Korea including the closing of a notorious market, dogs rescued from South Korea, and an investigation inside the dog meat trade. 

If you also want to see the end of the dog meat era, sign this petition demanding that Boknal, the South Korean Dog Meat Festival be stopped!

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