Some of the dogs were days away from joining the two million others who are eaten in South Korea every year

Dog consumption as a 'tradition' was condemned by Korean-based Change for Animals who helped rescue pups

They were rescued by Humane Society International who flew them to California where they will all be adopted


Fifty-seven dogs have been rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea where they spent their entire lives in small, filthy cages.

The mistreated pups as young as two-days-old were set to become some of the two million dogs consumed in the country every year - before two animal rights groups heroically intervened.

They will all arrive at a shelter in northern California today, before being put up for adoption early next week thanks to Human Society International and the Change for Animals Foundation in South Korea.

Animals rights groups inside the country have condemned the defence of eating dog meat as tradition or native culture - and claim the meat trade is not only cruel, but its consumption is harmful to human health.

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Trapped: Dogs as young as two-days-old were rescued from a dog meat factory in South Korea where they were waiting to be killed

Freedom: Thanks to the Humane Society and the Change for Animals Foundation, these puppies will avoid the dinner table but millions more will not be so lucky this year

Horrible fate: The 57 dogs rescued from Hongseung farm in South Korea were set to become among two million dogs consumed in the country every year

Cruelty: Humane Society International who worked with South Korean partners to rescue the dogs found two-day-old puppies sleeping in mounds of old newspaper

One of the rescuers Lola Webber (pictured) said the poor animals had been 'starved of love' their whole lives

Check up: The rescued pups were all vaccinated and medically evaluated before put into containers and flown to the United States

The organisation says dog meat farms in South Korea range from 'backyard operations' to 'large scale intensive farms'

Torturous: The consumption of dog meat as 'tradition or culture' has been condemned by animal rights groups inside the country

Troubled: Some of the dogs rescued from the dirty cages showed worrying signs of both mental and physical stress

Heroes: This is Humane Society's second big rescue this year after they saved 23 dogs from another South Korean farm in January

Frightened: The terrified animals who have never been cared for as pets peered quizzically at their rescuers

Affection: But Lola added: 'As soon as we opened their cage doors and they realised we weren't going to harm them, they wagged their tails and licked our faces'

The dogs which range from beagles and poodles to native Korean Jindo's were discovered living in squalid enclosures where they waited to be killed for their meat.

Most of them were snatched from the streets but an undisclosed number of the dogs were specially bred in farms designed to supply the industry.

The dogs were discovered in a 'terrible state, both physically and mentally', according to Humane Society International's campaign manager in Asia.

Lola Webber said: 'They've been starved of love their whole lives, living in fear and deprivation.

'As soon as we opened their cage doors and they realised we weren't going to harm them, they wagged their tails and licked our faces. I felt very privileged to give these dogs the first ever cuddle and kiss of their lives.'

Her company partners similar groups in South Korea to end the dog meat trade in the country and promote alternatives such as crop growing.

The dog meat trade is brutal, and the method of slaughter grisly. Most dogs raised for meat in South Korea are electrocuted in full view of others awaiting the same fate.

Thousands of dog meat farms throughout the company range from 'backyard enterprises' to 'intensive farming systems', according the South Korean organisation that helped rescue the dogs.

Change for Animals claims the farmers are profoundly indifferent to their victims' suffering, dignity and most basic needs.

The animals rights group says the animals are 'often kept crammed in row after row of barren cages... left to stand on metal bars their entire lives, fed on leftover food waste'.

Neglected: One of the organisations that helped rescue the dogs Change for Animals said the farmers are profoundly indifferent to their victims' suffering

Grateful: The rescuers thought the dogs would be hostile to humans but were surprised when they responded with affection

Cruel profession: Tae Hyung Lee (right), the farmer who was holding the recently rescued dogs, has been part of that very industry for 20 years

Extinct: But Lee (right) , says the practice is slowly dying and a lot of people 'want to get out of the dog meat trade'

Unfinished business: Although these dogs have been saved, Humane Society say millions more will die in the dog meat trade unless the industry is halted immediately

Dirty: The dogs which range from beagles and poodles to native Korean Jindo's were discovered living in squalid enclosures

The farmer holding the recently rescued dogs has been part of that very industry for 20 years, but he believes the practice is slowly dying.

Tae Hyung Lee said: 'I think a lot of people want to get out of the dog meat trade, because people don't like dog meat like in the past.'

Most of the dogs were initially flown to San Francisco for evaluation and medical treatment - while some needed emergency care.

Human Society is now working tirelessly to find happy homes for the dozens of dogs that have known nothing but the inside of dirty, rusty cages, its director of animal protection has said.

Adam Parascandola added: 'These lucky dogs will live the rest of their lives as valued and treasured members of a forever family in the United States.

'These amazing animals are full of character, and will make loving and loyal companions.

'Starved of love': Despite being caged their entire lives, the dogs responded positively and affectionately to their rescuers

Big journey: The rescued dogs were carefully placed in individual containers and taken to the airport to be flown to the United States

New adventure: The American group who saved them is now working tirelessly to find happy homes for the dozens of dogs that have known nothing but the inside of dirty, rusty cages

So long: Even the mother of the farmer who kept the dogs came to wave goodbye to the adorable pups

Loved: HSI's director of animal protection has said the dogs 'will live the rest of their lives as valued and treasured members of a forever family'

Rehomed: The dogs would be taken to San Francisco, northern California and will begin to be adopted early next week

Best friend: A Humane Society spokesperson said: 'These amazing animals are full of character, and will make loving and loyal companions'

Preparations: The animals were given one final check - and some more food - at the airport before heading on the long flight to the United States

Most of the dogs were initially flown to San Francisco (pictured) for evaluation and medical treatment - while some needed emergency care

Hugs and kisses: One of the Humane Society rescuers said: 'I felt very privileged to give these dogs the first ever cuddle and kiss of their lives.'

Big change: In the space of just 24-hours, these dogs went from being housed in dirty cages in South Korea to a shelter in the United States from where they will soon be adopted

'But millions more dogs back in South Korea will die for dog meat, so our work will continue, to shut down more farms and call for an end to this cruel trade.

'With the Winter Olympics coming to Seoul in 2018, we have a clear opportunity to end the dog meat trade as the world focuses on South Korea.'

In January, HSI and CFAF rescued 23 dogs from a South Korean dog meat farm, and worked with the farmer to convert to growing blueberries.