Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/survivors-of-dog-meat-trade-photo-series/

A photo is worth a thousand words but in a series of photos taken by award-winning photographer, Sophie Gamand, each photo is worth a thousand tail wags.

She is known for her life-altering photos that changed the way the world views pit bulls. “Since 2014, I have been taking photographs of adoptable pit bulls, for free, from all around the United States. Many had been waiting for homes for years. The portraits celebrate these dogs’ inherent personality, vulnerability, and individuality and have not only led to hundreds of dogs finding loving, forever homes, but have spurred efforts to destigmatize an animal whose reputation for violence says more about us than the characters of the dogs themselves,” wrote Gamand about her Pit Bull Flower Power series.

The Humane Society International (HSI) reached out to have Gamand work her “magic” to showcase the transformations of dogs rescued from South Korean dog meat farms in a campaign to end the dog meat trade in the country. She happily accepted and decided to make handmade collars, which she views as a sign of commitment, for each of the rescue dogs to showcase their amazing transformations.

“Through this series I want people to see these dogs for the strong and beautiful beings that they are. I created handmade collars for these survivors because dog collars are a powerful symbol of love, commitment and care. Joining Humane Society International on one of its dog meat farm rescue missions opened my eyes to both the disturbing conditions in which these dogs live, and the resilience they constantly show,” stated Gamand.

HSI has rescued over 2,500 dogs from South Korean dog meat farms and while only a handful were featured in the photo series titled Survivors of the Dog Meat Trade, they are all spokes-dogs for the millions of dogs still suffering in dog meat farms around the world.

The featured dogs were adopted by loving families in the United States and are now living their best lives.

Luna, rescued from HSI’s first South Korean dog meat farm closure, now lives in the Washington, DC area with her adoring family. She looked stunning in her custom collar and is sporting the biggest smile.

One of the dogs, a golden retriever named Chewbacca, stole the heart of HSI’s president Jeffrey Flocken who said, “HSI’s campaign is focused on ending the dog meat industry in South Korea, the only country in the world that intensively farms dogs for consumption, and we’re making incredible progress. The real goal is to get a ban passed that will end this industry forever so that no more dogs have to suffer. And, on a personal note, this campaign means a lot to me because it brought me and my family Chewbacca, who was rescued from HSI’s fifteenth dog meat farm closure, and is now a beloved member of our family.”

Chewbacca is living life to the fullest and always brings one of his stuffed animals on his daily walks.

A little dog named Ruby now calls Las Vegas home and eagerly waits for the mail to be delivered every day.

Several dogs were rescued by volunteers or staff who were on the ground witnessing the heartbreaking conditions the dogs were forced to live in.

Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy adopted Birdie, a Jindo/Labrador mix, and they live together in Los Angeles. The two are inseparable and Kenworthy encourages everyone to adopt.

The Wheel of Time actor Daniel Henney rescued Juliette while filming a movie in South Korea. He said, “I’m immensely proud that my dog Juliette is one of the dog meat trade survivors featured in Sophie Gamand’s portrait project for Humane Society International. I hope to see an end, a complete end, to the dog meat trade in South Korea. I think it’s not a matter of if, but when it will happen.”

HSI shared that a dog meat ban is currently being considered in South Korea. The team has been on the ground since 2015 working with farmers to close over a dozen dog meat farms and save the lives of thousands of dogs.

HSI said in a press release, “Newly elected President Yoon Seok-yeol, who has four dogs including Tori a rescued Jindo – a breed typically found on dog meat farms – confirmed his support for a ban on dog meat during the presidential election campaign, provided there is social consensus.”

The portraits of the rescued dogs will be on display for a limited time at the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery in West Hollywood.

Learn more about the rescued dogs and Gamand’s process in creating the photo series in the video below.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog