Dogs rescued from Korean dog meat farm arrive in California for adoption

With tentative steps and a few plaintive whines, 15 dogs explored their new digs at an San Francisco, California animal shelter unaware of the bright futures and loving owners that await.

Far from the "dog meat" farm in South Korea they once called home, the overwhelming experience of flying halfway across the world was only topped by the fact they had never been outside of their cages before Thursday.

Scared and unsure after spending a lifetime in crowded cells for the sole purpose of being harvested for meat, many needed to be carried.

"Some of these dogs were in a terrible state both physically and mentally. They've been starved of love their whole lives, living in fear and deprivation," said Lola Webber, who headed the Human Society International operation to rescue some 57 dogs from the South Korean dog meat trade.

"As soon as we opened their cage doors and they realized we weren't going to harm them, they wagged their tails and licked our faces.

"I felt very privileged to give these dogs the first ever cuddle and kiss of their lives."

The rescued dogs began arriving at San Francisco's SPCA's shelter on March 16, with the final 15 delivered this week.

After a brief quarantine they will be desexed, vaccinated and put up for adoption.

Source: CBS San Francisco