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Second Chance Helping Dogs Rescued from the South Korean Meat Trade

Dogs Who Faced a Certain Death Ready a Second Chance

EAST BROOKFIELD, MA (April 7, 2023) – To look at one-year old Liam, an adorable Labrador retriever mix, you would be hard pressed to guess all that he’s been through in his short life.  Liam eyes every visitor to the dog room at the Second Chance Animal Services Adoption Center and barks to make sure he’s got your attention.  Liam is one of five dogs that Second Chance brought back from a Maryland rehabilitation center last month.  They were part of a group of approximately 120 dogs rescued from the South Korean Meat Trade that were being cared for by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“Second Chance has long partnered with the HSUS as an emergency placement partner and we are often called upon to help with cases like this,” said Second Chance CEO and Founder Sheryl Blancato.  “South Korea is currently contemplating a dog meat ban and the farm where Liam and the other dogs came from is transitioning to growing cabbage and other crops through the Humane Society International/South Korea’s “Model for Change Program”. We are proud to work with the HSUS to give these dogs the best start at a new life.”

Wendy Hall, Second Chance’s Animal Relocation Director, says all five dogs are doing amazing.  “They’ve obviously been through a lot in their short lives, but the dogs have made great progress.  They were so shy when we first met them, and we have been in awe watching them get brave enough to explore our play yard and begin to come out of their shells.”

“Since they’ve never had the chance to be a dog, they will need patient families who can help with things like walking on leash who are ready to give them the great life they deserve,” added Hall.

Liam is currently available for adoption. Jackson, Star and Buttons are still at the nonprofit’s Almost Home facility in North Brookfield where shelter pets entering Massachusetts complete their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and receive any care they may need before they are ready for adoption.  “They are just waiting for kennel space to open up at the adoption center so they too can find their forever homes,” according to Hall who notes that the fifth pup is being fostered and she suspects he has already stolen his foster’s heart.

Those interested in adopting can find the available dogs’ bios on the Second Chance website: www.secondchanceanimals.org/adoptable-dogs/ or come visit during adoption hours: Monday through Friday – 10am to 3pm, Thursday evenings from 5 to 7pm and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.