For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Rebecca Bryan

Executive Director

423-624-5302 x223

rebeccabryan@heschatt.org


Humane Educational Society Assists with 200-Dog Rescue in South Korean Dog Meat Market

Thursday, March 23, HES will intake 10 of nearly 200 dogs rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm as part of Humane Society International campaign.

CHATTANOOGA, TN - Humane Educational Society (HES) is preparing for the arrival of 10 dogs from a closed Korean dog meat farm. Staff are en route to Maryland and will return Thursday evening with 10 of the dogs. Nearly 200 dogs and puppies rescued from South Korea were flown to the United States for placement with partner agencies. HES readily answered the call.


After arrival, HES staff and volunteers will assess the animals and place them directly in foster homes. Each dog will receive medical care and behavioral evaluation in preparation for adoption. 


HES expects a large public demand for these dogs, and will conduct a thorough screening process of potential adopters so that they will each be placed in homes suited for their individual needs. Applications are being accepted at www.heschatt.org/marketdogs. We will start calling applicants before the weekend.


"Every time HES has an opportunity to help with a large-scale case, the staff, volunteers, fosters, and community do not hesitate to rise to the occasion," says Rebecca Bryan, Executive Director of HES. 


HES Board Member, Skip Schwartz, has experience with adopting a meat market dog. He was living in Hong Kong when he adopted Lucky.


"While we didn’t set out to rescue a dog with such a traumatic puppyhood, Lucky has turned out to be an exceptionally dedicated family member," Skip says. "There is no doubt she had a horrible first few months of life, but she quickly came to appreciate the love and warmth our family showered on her and has rewarded us with unconditional loyalty for the last 5-plus years."


HES wants to encourage the public to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate. HES is a local, independent nonprofit organization and relies on local support to make an impact. 


Today’s dog meat industry is not representative of Korean culture, and most Koreans would be appalled to be associated with this industry. Eating dog meat is largely a habit of the older generations, and one that most Koreans don’t wish to see sustained. 


Koreans are making this change themselves and international organizations are assisting with the effort and hope to create a permanent ban. This is the latest of 18 successful rescue missions by Humane Society International in partnership with local Korean agencies. 



Press release photos and B roll of the Farm 18 rescue:

https://newsroom.humanesociety.org/fetcher/index.php?searchMerlin=1&searchBrightcove=1&submitted=1&mw=d&q=SKFarm180223


For more information about Humane Society International dog meat market campaigns: www.hsi.org/issues/dog-meat-trade/


To apply for adoption: heschatt.org/marketdogs

To apply for fostering: heschatt.org/foster



HES Hours: 

Tuesday through Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Sunday 12pm - 4pm


Photos of HSI rescue in South Korea

To download without watermark: Photos

About HES

Humane Educational Society is an independent 501(c) animal shelter located in Chattanooga, TN. Approximately 4,500 homeless pets are served through HES each year. We provide animal protection services in Hamilton County, adoptions, community vaccine clinics, youth educational programs, volunteer and foster opportunities, and more.

About Humane Society International

Advancing the welfare of animals in more than 50 countries, Humane Society International works around the globe to promote the human-animal bond, rescue and protect dogs and cats, improve farm animal welfare, protect wildlife, promote animal-free testing and research, respond to disasters and confront cruelty to animals in all of its forms.

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