Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS joined forces with TEARS Animal Rescue in a cross-border adoption campaign hoping to change the lives of five dogs who were rescued from the throes of a Cambodian slaughterhouse.
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Meet Gamora, Pietro Maximoff, Falcon, Shadow and Doctor Drax Walfram.
They are part of the 61 dogs that were rescued in February 2021 when local authorities intercepted a minivan en route to a Cambodian slaughterhouse, thanks to a law passed in July 2020, which banned the dog meat trade in Siem Reap, and the relentless advocacy of FOUR PAWS.
FOUR PAWS has been working closely with the Cambodian government since 2018 advocating for a ban on the dog meat trade due to the extreme animal cruelty involved and public health risks, according to IOL.
‘Barely a year old at the time, they were starving, dehydrated and terrified,’ said TEARS. ‘No one knew whether they could learn to trust humans ever again’.
Following the rescue and the arrest of the trafficker, as well as months of care and rehabilitation, the Cambodian government reached out to the organisation to assist in taking care of the animals.
‘Despite tireless efforts, local adoption in Cambodia proved challenging,’ said FOUR PAWS. ‘Now, we’re thrilled to announce our first Cross Border Adoption campaign in collaboration with TEARS Animal Rescue.’
According to the organisation, of the 61 dogs that were rescued in Cambodia, only 31 have found a new home locally since adoptions of stray animals do not have a long tradition in Southeast Asia and are only slowly establishing themselves.
‘To ensure that the animals quickly find a loving home after their traumatic experiences, FOUR PAWS, through its offices globally, decided to place these animals in those countries as an exception,’ the organisation said. ‘Some of them went to Switzerland and the United States.’
Thus, the long-awaited five #FromCageToCapeTown doggos arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday.
While the dogs have each received a clean bill of health, they will be kept in quarantine between seven and 14 days as part of the standard travel regulations for dogs traveling between countries, before being transported to TEARS, reported IOL.
‘These five dogs are ambassadors and a voice for millions of dogs who remain in those circumstances, and for other dogs in South Africa and globally that are subjected to cruelty,’ added FOUR PAWS.
The hope now is that they will each find their loving forever home with the help of the TEARS Adoption Team.
To meet or adopt any of the #FromCageToCapeTown fabulous five, click here.
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Picture: FOUR PAWS / Facebook