In Defense of Animals is working with Jindo Love Rescue which urgently needs help after a devastating fire last week affected the rescue’s foster center in Gimhae, South Korea. The center was housing more than 120 dogs rescued from the dog meat trade.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but the toll it took on the animals and facility was disastrous. Sixteen dogs have died and others that are in critical condition are being treated by a veterinarian. In total, 60 dogs are now in Jindo Love Rescue’s care, but many others are missing and neighbors and volunteers are continuing to search for them with the aid of a professional drone pilot.
Dogs who have been recovered and are not critically injured are being temporarily housed at a shelter and under 72-hour watch for injuries and health issues related to the fire. More permanent housing for the dogs is being sought.
Fourteen of the dogs in Jindo Love Rescue’s care that were included in the original numbers were at Han’s Care School Coop in Gyeongju for special training when the fire broke out and are safe; 17 more will be joining them and nine will be moved to a foster home.
Adopters who were waiting for the dogs to be flown to the United States are heartbroken, as are the nonprofits supporting these rescue efforts.
Since partnering in 2017, In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love Rescue have saved more than 700 dogs from South Korea’s dog meat trade and flown them to forever homes in North America. Pobee, one of the dogs who died when the fire broke out was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on the day of the fire.
“This is a worst case nightmare scenario for anyone involved in rescue. We are beyond heartbroken and desperately searching for survivors who have already been through so much in their lives,” Patti Kim, President of Jindo Love Rescue, said in a statement. “We are blessed to have such wonderful supporters who are already chipping in, but we have a long way to go to care for the survivors and rebuild.”
It is tentatively expected that insurance will cover the exterior of the building, but Jindo Love Rescue estimates that it will cost approximately $80,000 to rebuild the facility, which is being leased until October 2023.
The organizations are now fundraising to cover the most immediate needs of the dogs affected, including critical veterinary care, which is estimated to be as much as $20,000. Any additional funds will support rebuilding the facility and repurchasing everything that was lost inside.
