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Life just got a lot better for Sky the Golden Retriever thanks to the combined effort of many people and organizations. A volunteer from the Samoyed rescue group, YNot Save a Sam, saw Sky when they were on a trip to save several dogs from a South Korean dog meat farm. The group was unable to rescue Sky at the time, but volunteers could not get this Golden Retriever’s smiling face out of their heads.


After a kind person who adopted one of the rescued Somayeds heard of Sky’s plight, they put YNot in contact with Mark Dahlberg, a friend who serves on the board of Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida (GRRSWF). In no time at all, YNot contacted Dahlberg and got GRRSWF on board to make arrangements for Sky’s rescue. An anonymous benefactor agreed to foot the $450 bill to fly Sky to the U.S. and the beginning of a new life for this smiling pup was set in action.

Janet Brettner, a dog rescuer located in Korea who works with YNot, was able to get Sky to safety and arranged for her trip to the U.S. The happy Golden Retriever made the 14-hour flight across the Pacific and was greeted by Dahlberg upon arrival in Atlanta.


“Considering where she was and what she endured, she looks great,” said Dahlberg.


Sky and her hero spent the next few days going to the vet and taking pictures, she was then ready for her foster home – the first home she would ever experience.


Though rescuing Sky was part of the Golden Retriever Rescue’s goal, they are also using her situation to spread awareness about the dog meat trade in Korea.

While the thought of eating dog meat is abhorrent to Americans, the dog meat trade thrives in Korea and throughout other Asian countries. Dogs who are part of this cruel trade are kept in extremely crowded conditions, deprived of ample food and water, and never given proper veterinary attention.

“Realizing Korea has a completely different culture when it comes to dogs does not change the fact that is horrible and inhumane and needs to be stopped,” said Alesia Galuppo of Estero, GRRSWF’s president.

Animal lovers from all over the world were excited for Sky’s rescue and followed her trip through GRRSWF’s Facebook page. By bringing awareness to the plight of dogs, like Sky, and many others who are suffering in the dog meat trade, we can start to change how people perceive this industry.

“There are thousands, millions of people who care how dogs are treated not only here but around the world. They can make a difference if they understand what is going on and how they can help,” said Dennis Guyitt, vice president and medical director of the rescue. “One life saved may not seem like much, but it highlights the deplorable conditions these beautiful animals endure in their short lives.”


Image source: Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida/Facebook