Rescuers save 20 golden retrievers from China meat market and fly them to Miami to meet their new families
Christmas and New Year celebrations came early for twenty golden retrievers and some families in Florida as the dogs were rescued from a Chinese meat trade market and flown to Miami to meet their new families. The happy moment took place last weekend when the animals reached their destination — Miami International Airport — and met their new families for the first time. Katie Brown, one of the new owners of the pooches, was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail, “This is the happiest day in 2020 for me. The fact that we've been waiting so long for these dogs to arrive, it's been such a long journey, and to have her here, it means everything. It truly is making our year. This is what rescue is all about. Taking the time to give the unconditional love to animals that they give to us.”
Reports said that Golden Rescue South Florida — an organization whose mission is to save golden retrievers around the country and now worldwide — was behind the mission. “We are committed to bring these amazing Goldens from their terrifyingly horrible lives in China to America. It is a huge undertaking. Especially, for a small rescue organization. But we believe with the help of our followers, volunteers and others who love this amazing breed. WE CAN DO THIS!” the organization stated on its website.
The step to rescue the dogs was taken after a rescue center in China called the Golden Rescue South Florida for assistance. The whole operation took six months of time, which included a fundraising drive to generate the required $60,000. However, even after that, to fly the animals to another country was not easy at all. “It was very stressful. We had an over 40-hour delay. The dogs were supposed to arrive Friday at 4.30 pm and unfortunately, their flight had a mechanical issue, so they were delayed,” coordinator Kristine Menerva, said.
The agency also wrote on its website: “The worst happened. Mechanical problem. The flight was delayed, scheduled to leave and delayed AGAIN. The dogs were stranded in Taiwan for an additional 40 hours! Never allowed out of their crates. We were horrified and terrified. The Taiwan SPCA and PETA got involved. As well as our partners assisting in this rescue in China and Chicago. The dogs were monitored, fed and given water. No one in the Rescue slept Friday night or Saturday night. But, NOW THE GOOD NEWS! They arrived Sunday morning.”
Menerva added: “With the help of the Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, PETA, the China rescue that we've been working with, TCA, another organization in Chicago, we all came together. Currently in China, they're for meat consumption. They eat the dogs for meat, so this has been a rescue six months in the making. These dogs have been through traumatic experiences, so some of them really don't know how to act like a dog. So it's going to take a lot of patience, a lot of training and a lot of determination to get the dog to that golden breed and that golden demeanor, which we know that they all can be. The dogs were fed, and they were given water and constantly 24-hour care while they were held up in their facility.” Reports also said that the families who came forward to adopt the dogs were interviewed first to ensure they are the right choice for the pups.