Fri, 23 February 2018 at 7:59 pm

Olympian Gus Kenworthy Rescues Pup From South Korean Dog Meat Farm

Olympian Gus Kenworthy Rescues Pup From South Korean Dog Meat Farm

Gus Kenworthy is finishing up another Winter Olympics by saving dogs in need.

The Team USA Olympic skier shared his latest experience with fans on Instagram on Friday (February 23) during the 2018 Winter Olympics, explaining that he and his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas adopted a puppy named Beemo from one of South Korea’s numerous dog meat farms.

“This morning Matt and I had a heart-wrenching visited to one of the 17,000 dog farms here in South Korea,” Gus captioned the slideshow below. “Across the country there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable. Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while [I] don’t personally agree with it, I do agree that it’s not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty.”

Beemo was one of 90 dogs living in cold, cramped outdoor cages and neglectful, cruel conditions.

Good news: Gus shared that the farm they visited is being shut down, and all of the pups are being flown to the U.S. and Canada, where they will be put up for adoption with the help of Humane Society International.

“I’m hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade here in Korea and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes!” Gus added. “Go to @hsiglobal’s page to see how you can help.”

Gus also rescued five stray dogs at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

See his full post below.

This morning Matt and I had a heart-wrenching visited to one of the 17,000 dog farms here in South Korea. Across the country there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable. Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while don't personally agree with it, I do agree that it's not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty. I was told that the dogs on this particular farm were kept in "good conditions" by comparison to other farms. The dogs here are malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions. When it comes time to put one down it is done so in front of the other dogs by means of electrocution sometimes taking up to 20 agonizing minutes. Despite the beliefs of the Korean public at large, these dogs are no different from the ones we call pets back home. Some of them were even pets at one time and were stolen or found and sold into the dog meat trade. Luckily, this particular farm (thanks to the hard work of the Humane Society International and the cooperation of a farmer who's seen the error of his ways) is being permanently shut down and all 90 of the dogs here will be brought to the US and Canada where they'll find their fur-ever homes. I adopted the sweet baby in the first pic (we named her Beemo) and she'll be coming to the US to live with me as soon as she's through with her vaccinations in a short couple of weeks. I cannot wait to give her the best life possible! There are still millions of dogs here in need of help though (like the Great Pyrenees in the 2nd pic who was truly the sweetest dog ever). I'm hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade here in Korea and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes! Go to @hsiglobal's page to see how you can help. #dogsarefriendsnotfood #adoptdontshop ❤️🐶

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on

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Photos: Instagram
Posted to: 2018 Winter Olympics, gus kenworthy, Matthew Wilkas

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