JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The non- profit Nana’s Haven is giving dogs from the meat trade another chance at life.
Lauren Wise, the founder of the organization introduced Action News Jax to Ariel, a rescued toy poodle.
Her life began crowded in a small cage with other dogs, she was set to be sold to the meat trade.
“We don’t know what caused her bones to break, she is a little bit handicapped.” Wise who is fostering her said.
Ariel is one of about 140 dogs rescued from the meat trade in China and South Korea.
Nana’s Haven works with partners overseas to rescue and fly the dogs to the United States.
“We have people there on the ground literally fighting for us.” Wise said.
According to the Humane Society International the majority of people living in Asian countries do not eat dog meat, but there are hot spot areas where dog meat is consumed more regularly.
On May 1st, the City of Shenzhen in Southeastern China became the first City in the country to officially ban eating dogs or cats.
Many dogs in the meat trade are strays or stolen pets, their lives often end brutally.
Eliza Jacobs, the senior director of Nana’s Haven rescued three pups from the trade.
“Even when we saved certain dogs, I would obsess over all the other ones we couldn’t. I would stay up at night and wonder what became of them.” Jacobs said.
Jordan Reis adopted her dog Scout who was rescued from South Korea.
“Scout was one of the ones that wasn’t going to make it, and they were very worried about him.” Reid said.
The organization wants to raise awareness about the humane treatment of dogs and wants anyone who is considering adoption to think about Nana’s Haven.
Meat market sellers will typically surrender dogs that are not sold at the end of each day to volunteer groups.
Those same groups also report businesses to the police that do not have proper paperwork for the dogs because they are stolen or strays.
Before arriving to the U.S. each animal will get its own passport and must be fully vaccinated and approved by the U.S. Department of agriculture upon entry.
To see a list of dogs that need a forever home and how to donate visit: https://nanashaven.org
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