VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A group of dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea is making big improvements.
The Virginia Beach SPCA is one of 11 shelters part of the Humane Society of the United States Emergency Placement Partner program that picked up rescued dogs and puppies last week to eventually place them for adoption into new homes.
The farm was in Wonju, South Korea and was the sixth dog meat farm closed in the country since January 2015.
The SPCA currently has two dogs and two puppies.
One of the adult dogs will have to undergo tail surgery and teeth extraction from trying to chew her way out of her cage while in South Korea.
Socially, SPCA officials say the adult dogs are responding really well to human interaction.
"We're playing with them, even walking them for the first time," says Jenny Teed, Director of Shelter Operations. "They've never seen trees shaking, wind blowing."
The puppies, both with skin infections, are still very shy.
Teed says a now 14-week-old pup, Luis, was not supposed to make it through the night last week.
" Up until the other day, his entire life has been in a rabbit sized hutch with multiple other dogs," she says. "I got a tail wag the other day when I went in, it's those little moments you know, that makes it worth it."
The Virginia Beach SPCA expects the adult dogs to be up for adoption in about two weeks to a month. The puppies may not be up for adoption for four to six weeks.
They are expecting two more dogs to arrive from South Korea in the coming weeks.
SPCA staff says you can help the dogs in the meantime by donating adaptil calming collars and enrichment games. For more information, visit their website.
