Aurora, a three-year-old dog, was rescued in March 2023 from a brutal dog-meat farm in Miryang, South Korea. She had been tied up with a short chain, deprived of consistent food and water, and was headed for slaughter. When rescuers from the nonprofit Jindo Love Rescue found her, they realized she was pregnant — a surprise that turned her rescue mission into something even more urgent.
Motherhood and waiting
After giving birth to four puppies and raising them until adoption, Aurora spent two long years at Jindo Love Rescue, quietly waiting for someone to open their home and heart to her.
“She is a gentle, shy soul who deserves nothing but love and happiness,” said Patti Kim, president of Jindo Love Rescue, reflecting on Aurora’s transformation from a scared, neglected dog to a hopeful mother in recovery.
A 5,000-mile leap of faith
Aurora’s journey from South Korea to San Francisco was made possible by a collaboration between Jindo Love Rescue and the advocacy organization In Defense of Animals. Together, they’ve helped more than 1,200 dogs escape the meat trade since 2017 — a reminder that rescue work can span continents and cross cultures.
On August 28, 2025, Aurora landed on U.S. soil and met her adoptive mom, Natasha Lee, for the first time. “I am very lucky and fortunate to adopt her,” Lee said, adding that Aurora will soon have a new four-legged sibling, Solo.
A second chance worth every mile
Michael Angelo Torres, a Bay Area campaigner for In Defense of Animals, described the airport reunion as “incredibly moving.” For him, Aurora’s rescue and rehoming “truly proves how special these dogs are, and hints at how much joy and love comes from adopting a dog-meat survivor.”
Aurora’s story isn’t just one dog’s remarkable escape. It’s a reminder that when people organize, travel, advocate, and open their homes, healing can stretch across oceans. From a dark past she didn’t choose to a bright future she barely dared to hope for — Aurora’s journey shows what a second chance really looks like.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
