Shelter takes in dogs from South Korean dog-meat trade

BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond has a core group of volunteers working with 11 dogs they received over the Easter holiday that were rescued from a dog-meat farm in South Korea.

Together, the Humane Society of Central Oregon and BrightSide Animal Center took in 28 dogs. After an international flight from South Korea through Humane Society International's (HSI) rescue program, the dogs were transported from San Francisco to Central Oregon.

Patty Eiseman of Sisters is a dog buddy volunteer for BrightSide and is part of the core group that has been helping with the rehabilitation of the South Korean dogs.

"We've been slowly socializing the 11 dogs we received and are trying to get them used to humans in a positive manner. They came here with no reason to trust any humans," explained Eiseman. "We are working with the dogs. We just want them to feel safe where they are. Since some of them are very shy of any humans, we are going into their kennels and just sitting there getting them used to us. I have brought in a collar and leash and just hold it and let them smell it. Then we throw them treats so they associate us with something positive."

HSI is working in countries across Asia to end the dog-meat trade. The nonprofit rescued 250 dogs and puppies from a meat farm in Wonju, the fifth meat farm that they have closed down as part of their campaign to end the eating of dogs in South Korea. This is in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Emergency Placement Partner Program (HIS is the HSUS international affiliate).

Adam Parascandola, director of animal protection and crisis response for HSI, knows firsthand what it is like to remove dogs from a meat farm in South Korea.

"We step in and work with the families to transition them to a different business for income. We brought the dogs over to the U.S. in three different shifts, and they have been flown to shelters and rescues in the U.S. and Canada for a second chance at life," Parascandola said.

"Most people in South Korea have never seen a dog- meat farm and are unaware of the suffering experienced by the dogs. Many dog-meat farmers want to leave this business behind them.

"Once we fly the dogs to the U.S., we partner with Kim Alboum, director of the Emergency Placement Partner Program for HSUS, and she places the dogs," added Parascandola.

The Emergency Placement Partners are a crucial element in the HSUS national mission to rescue abused animals.

Shelter manager Pat Bowling was at BrightSide when the dogs arrived last March.

"When they first came in they were frightened to death and would cower at the back of the kennel. These dogs were totally out of their element," Bowling told The Nugget. "You would take them outside and they didn't know how to walk. Some of their legs were bowed. These dogs were bred for meat and they were kept in cages. It's already been an amazing transformation."

The 28 rescued South Korean dogs are a variety of breed mixes, including Labrador, mastiff, jingo and elkhound. The dogs ranged in age from four months to two years old.

BrightSide's dog trainer Andrea Martin of Redmond has been training with the dogs since they arrived.

"The whole issue with these dogs is trusting people," Martin said. "I have noticed a shift in them from the first few weeks to now. They cowered in the corner of the kennel in the beginning and now when a person approaches them, their tails are wagging and some jump up to greet us. It takes a lot of patience, and it is sure worth it in the end."

BrightSide adoption specialist Jen Cross has been busy finding homes for the dogs.

"I'm already starting to make the really hard decisions about what dog goes to which home. We are really going to take our time in finding the right forever homes for these dogs," Cross said. "We have to explain to all applicants what these dogs have been through. They were so scared when they first arrived that they shut down. They had rarely been handled by people. It was a very sad scenario. Some of them also had some physical ailments, possibly from lack of care. Some of the younger ones bounced back and a couple of the puppies have already been adopted."

Most of the dogs are going to be available soon. They will have their vaccinations and will be spayed and neutered before going to any homes. Their photos and information are on BrightSide's website, BrightSideanimals.org.