function onPlayerReadyVidible(e){'undefined'!=typeof HPTrack&&HPTrack.Vid.Vidible_track(e)}!function(e,i){if(e.vdb_Player){if('object'==typeof commercial_video){var a='',o='m.fwsitesection='+commercial_video.site_and_category;if(a+=o,commercial_video['package']){var c='&m.fwkeyvalues=sponsorship%3D'+commercial_video['package'];a+=c}e.setAttribute('vdb_params',a)}i(e.vdb_Player)}else{var t=arguments.callee;setTimeout(function(){t(e,i)},0)}}(document.getElementById('vidible_1'),onPlayerReadyVidible); Dozens of dogs rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm are destined for lives of belly rubs and squeaky toys after being flown to shelters in the U.S. over the weekend.Humane Society International removed the 55 dogs from a farm in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, after reaching an agreement with the owners, the animal welfare group announced.Shelters in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland are accepting the majority of the dogs, which eventually will be up for adoption. Nine of them are being sent to Dallas, where they can also be adopted, an HSI spokesperson said by phone Monday.According to HSI, this was the seventh dog meat farm to close in South Korea because of its efforts, collectively saving more than 800 canine lives.In a Facebook Live video published Thursday, a worker was seen removing the animals from dark, filthy cages that had been packed closely together like a maze. Their capacity to bounce back from the worst situations is astonishing to me, HSIs Adam Parascandola, director of animal protection and crisis response, said in a statement. A number of the dogs are already super friendly, and one of the Jindo mothers who appeared nervous at first, just sat in my lap and wouldnt move. It was like shed found comfort at last and she wasnt giving it up. She doesnt know it yet but shell have a soft warm bed for the rest of her life now.Parascandola, who said hes participated in rescues over the last two years with the HSI, described the farm in Goyang as the worst hes seen.I thought Id seen it all until I first saw this facility. It literally took my breath away, not least because when we first entered the darkness, the stench was overpowering, he said. The ammonia burned the back of our throats. We could hear the dogs desperate barks but we couldnt see their faces properly, just their eyes peering out.In past situations, the HSI said, the group has helped dog farmers transition to chili or blueberry farming. In the case of this Goyang farm, the owners were in their 70s and wanting to retire, but just werent sure where to begin.The owner, identified only as Mr. Kim, told the HSI through a translator that he had increasingly regretted the work and personally never slaughtered the dogs, but allowed buyers to come and select the animals.I used to have around 20 dogs and I tried to leave the dog meat industry several times but somehow people gave me dogs and I restarted, he said.That doesnt mean its a growing industry, he said.Ive heard that more and more dog meat restaurants are shutting down and now its not a business that people are willing to do for a living, he said. Dog meat consumers are also getting less and less, so although I cant say it will be ended, I can say it is a dying business for sure. Those wanting to adopt one of the many dogs can contact the following shelters:In Maryland, the Animal Welfare League of Queen Annes County.In New York, the Animal Haven.In Pennsylvania, the South Hill Pet Rescue, Camp Haven Kennels orRescue Our Furry Friends.In Texas, the SPCA of Texas in Dallas.type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=Related Coverage + articlesList=58b4d9aae4b0658fc20f9983,57c098b8e4b04193420f1bc9,56e84f3ae4b0b25c9183790a,56796820e4b0b958f657ec53 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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