An estimated 30 million dogs are killed for their meat every year worldwide. In Defense of Animals and its partners have saved hudreds of dogs and cats from the meat trade. A very important part of this work is getting survivors to loving forever homes in the U.S. and Canada.
In order to save so many dogs and cats, we rely on travelers who volunteer to bring animals with them when they fly from Asia to the U.S.
Dog meat survivor Tigress got her flight to freedom thanks to a flight volunteer
If you, or someone you know, is flying from Asia to the U.S. you, or they, can help give a dog saved from the horrific meat trade an entirely new life. Please click here to get started by letting us know your flight details. If you’re traveling from South Korea, please read our guide below.
Since 2017, In Defense of Animals has partnered with Jindo Love Rescue to save hundreds of dogs each year. We currently need flight volunteers flying directly from Seoul, South Korea to:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas (DFW)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York (JFK)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington, D.C. (Dulles and IAD)
Volunteering is easy. If you are a traveler who wants to help, just follow the steps below. We will take care of everything.
What You Can Do
- Contact Jindo Love Rescue at least one week before you fly, so there is time to prepare. A dog will be booked onto your flight.
- Meet your dog meat survivor and our rescue partners at customs in Incheon International Airport before you check-in. Our partners will handle all the paperwork and get the dog checked in.
- Check-in to your flight as usual. After landing, simply collect your dog from the baggage collection area and head out to meet the adopter who will be waiting at the airport to meet their new furry friend!
Overall, being a flight volunteer really doesn’t take anything more than sparing some extra time before departing and after arriving — and you can literally save a life!
IMPORTANT UPDATE
New CDC regulations have made our need for flight volunteers even more important.
The price to fly from some countries has doubled, meaning we can only save half as many dogs unless more donors or flight volunteers step up.
Not only is this affecting the dogs waiting to embark on flights to their new lives, and adopters who are excitedly waiting to welcome them, it’s hurting efforts to save even more who desperately need help.
It’s become a rescue traffic jam, while costs to care for rescued dogs continue to mount — it costs $150 every month to cover care for an individual dog. Many dogs with adopters are waiting for a flight volunteer. More still are waiting to be adopted.
If you’re not traveling, but want to help dog meat survivors, you can support our lifesaving work here.