14 Dogs Rescued From Meat Farm Bound For Tampa (Video)

TAMPA, FL — The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will soon have 14 new globetrotting dogs up for adoption. The anticipated arrivals are part of a 200-dog rescue conducted by Humane Society International to save dogs intended for slaughter at a South Korean dog meat farm in Wonju.

Humane Society and shelter locations across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are accepting the creatures with the first 10 set to arrive in Tampa on Jan. 20. The remainder will fly into Orlando on Jan. 22. They will all be housed at the Tampa society's 3607 N. Armenia Ave. shelter until new homes are found for them.

“We were absolutely thrilled to be asked to assist with this rescue effort,” Humane Society of Tampa Bay CEO Sherry Silk said in a Thursday statement. “We are here to help animals in need, no matter where they come from, and will open our doors to them whenever we are able.”

All 14 dogs bound for Tampa will eventually be placed up for adoption, Silk said. The local humane society will cover the costs of transporting the dogs and expenses related to their care until they are adopted. The society expects it will be at least several weeks after their arrival before the dogs are placed up for adoption. Updates on their progress will appear on the society’s blog and social media once they arrive.

“It has been heartwarming to see the staff’s excitement as they prepare for the arrival of these dogs,” said Pam Backer, the Tampa society's director of shelter operations. “We’ve all seen the videos and read the accounts of how much these dogs suffer and we just can’t wait to put our arms around them and tell them that they safe.”

Several other shelters in Florida are also accepting dogs from the 200-critter rescue. They include the Humane Society of Marion County, the Alachua County Humane Society and All for One Pet Rescue.

The rescue is the sixth “dog meat farm closure managed by HSI, with a total of 770 dogs rescued since January 2015 as part of the organization’s campaign to end the dog meat trade in South Korea and across Asia,” the society wrote in an email to media.

“We participate in raids on trucks crammed with dogs headed for slaughter," HSI explained on its website. “We provide funding to train officials for improved enforcement of laws and support care for confiscated animals. In China, we're fighting to end the annual Dog Meat Festival in Yulin.”

More information about Humane Society International’s work to end the dog meat trade can be found online.

To help the Humane Society of Tampa Bay cover its costs, visit the agency’s website. Donations are accepted online.

Photo and video courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States