GIMHAE, South Korea (August 14, 2022) — In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love Rescue are urgently fundraising following a devastating fire this week at Jindo Love Rescue’s foster center in Gimhae, South Korea, which was housing more than 120 dogs rescued from the dog meat trade.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but the toll it took was ruinous. Thirteen dogs died and others who are in critical condition are being treated at a veterinarian. In total, 60 dogs are now in the Jindo Love Rescue’s care, but many others are missing and are being urgently searched for by neighbors and volunteers. Dogs who have been recovered and aren’t critically injured are being temporarily housed at a shelter and under a 72-hour watch for injuries and health issues related to the fire, but more permanent housing is being sought. 

Adopters who were waiting for dogs to fly to the U.S. are heartbroken, as are the nonprofits supporting these rescue efforts. 

Since partnering in 2017, In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love Rescue have saved more than 700 dogs from South Korea’s dog meat trade and flown them to forever homes in North America. Pobee, one of the dogs who died, was scheduled on a flight to Los Angeles on the day of the fire. 

“This is a worst case nightmare scenario for anyone involved in rescue. We’re beyond heartbroken and desperately searching for survivors who have already been through so much in their lives,” said Patti Kim, president of Jindo Love Rescue. “We’re blessed to have such wonderful supporters who are already chipping in, but we have a long way to go to care for the survivors and rebuild.”

It is tentatively expected that insurance will cover the exterior of the building, but Jindo Love Rescue estimates it will cost approximately $80,000 to rebuild the facility, which is being leased until October 2023. 

The organizations are now fundraising to cover the most immediate needs, including critical veterinary care, which is estimated to be as much as $20,000 with all dogs being under supervision, and food. Any additional funds will support rebuilding the facility and repurchasing everything that was lost inside. 

“This has been incredibly shocking and devastating. We’re just grateful so many dogs survived this tragedy, and we’re going to do everything we can to recover from this,” said Marilyn Kroplick, president of In Defense of Animals. “So many of these dogs have already experienced suffering and deserve a second chance.” 

Members of the public are invited to donate at: http://idausa.org/FireEmergency

Images: https://bit.ly/RescueFire

Contacts: 

Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals, lisa@idausa.org, (215) 620-2130

Patti Kim, Jindo Love Rescue, JLR-501c@jindoloverescue.org

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, campaigns, and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org

Jindo Love Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in South Korea. With the help of our team and volunteers, we rescue as many dogs as we can from terrible conditions in South Korea’s dog meat trade, puppy mills, as well as abandoned dogs. We look for perfect, loving homes to send these dogs to in the United States of America. www.jindoloverescue.org

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