VOORHEES TWP. -- Kermit, Hugh and Irving would never under any circumstances become pets. Their miserable existence would be spent inside of a cage before ending up as breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Now, through efforts of the Humane Society International (HSI) and the Animal Welfare Association (AWA) shelter in Voorhees, these three pups are getting a second chance at life after being among 170 dogs recently rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm.

"A decade ago when walking through Beijing, China, I cried when I turned the corner at a market to find a dozen 3-foot by 3-foot battery cages filled with puppies stacked six feet high and dead, skinned dogs waiting for butchering," said Maya Richmond, executive director of AWA.

As part of an international effort to permanently end the farming of dogs for meat, the HSI's Animal Rescue Team worked with a farm in Wonju, South Korea and negotiated the release of the animals. In exchange, the farmers learn how to cultivate fruits and vegetables to maintain a living -- though it remains legal to eat dogs there.

After being transported to the U.S., the dogs were given medical attention before arriving at places like the no-kill AWA, a private shelter that also takes in owner surrenders and overflow from other facilities.

While a lucky hand has seemingly been dealt to Kermit, a Belgian Malinois; Hugh, a Jindo; and Irving, a Husky, the real work has only just begun.

Liz Reicheter, the AWA's behavior coordinator, is now tasked with teaching these creatures -- who know nothing about any emotions linked with being loved -- what life can really offer.

"This is a really challenging project," said Reicheter. "We're essentially creating a positive association between us and food -- kind of like what Pavlov did with his bell."

There's never an "a-ha moment" to reveal that an animal has been rehabilitated and could be put up for adoption, Reicheter said, but she is doing all she can to get them there.

"I think they are totally going to be adoptable," said Richmond, noting that a link on the shelter's website at www.awanj.org will offer updates on the dogs' progress.

Progress, shelter staff say, is being made.

On Thursday morning, for the first time in his two years of life, Hugh played with a plush toy.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.