Rescued South Korean ‘dog meat dogs’ find temporary home in U.S.

Thanks to the efforts of the Humane Society International with an assist from a Rockville, Md., shelter, more than 30 “dog meat dogs” raised for food in South Korea will find new homes in a nation where they will be loved, not turned into dinner.

Twenty-four of the dogs, rescued from a South Korean dog farm by the Humane Society, arrived at Pet Dominion, a veterinary and boarding service in Rockville, earlier this week, and there stare on the way. Alas, the dogs will not become Maryland residents, but are merely resting on their long trip to North Carolina, where they will be sent to no kill shelters for adoption.

“They are doing really well,” said Kim Kirkman, Pet Dominion’s manager. “The ones that came Tuesday night were very fearful and afraid, and even in just a couple days have opened up to the staff for the most part.”

Theformerdog-meatdogs come in all shapes and sizes, Ms. Kirk man said. There are J in dos--a dog native to South Korea. There are terrier mixes and a grey hound mix. There is a 100-plus-pound mastiff on its way in a custom-made crate after it was clear he was too big for a standard-issue carrier.

According to the Humane Society, the dogs were rescued from an unlicensed operation in Jeonju, a city about 120 miles south of Seoul. Most dogs raised for meat are slaughtered by the time they turn 1.

Kelly O’ Meara, a director at the Humane Society, said the dogs live in metal cages empty except for a food bowl and“essentially suffer daily neglect.”

“They are exposed to all extremes, all weather, whether extremely hot or cold,” she said. “Korean winters are brutal.”