Against All Odds: ARK Shelter’s Legal Fight and Hope for the Future 🏠

Sharing from: https://koreandogs.org/ark-new-shelter/

Sharing for Animal Rights Korea (ARK) Shelter.

In November 2020, a dedicated coalition of 150 volunteers, alongside the animal rights organization Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), successfully shut down a dog farm in Incheon that had been operating for 30 years. Located on land leased from Lotte Corporation, a major South Korean conglomerate, the farm had been supplying dogs to the meat trade.

The volunteers rescued 250 dogs from being sent to slaughterhouses by negotiating with the farmer and paying for their release. With no alternative shelter available, the team repurposed the site, dismantling the existing raised wire cages and building new kennels and greenhouses to protect the dogs from the harsh winter. They named the newly established refuge the Animal Rights Korea (ARK) Shelter.

Since then, 150 dogs have found loving homes — 7 within South Korea and 143 abroad — while 120 dogs remain at the ARK Shelter, still awaiting adoption.

Despite the shelter’s efforts to provide a safe haven for these animals, both Lotte Corporation and the Incheon Gyeyang District Government have been actively opposing the shelter’s continued operation at this site.

ARK has been engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the Gyeyang District Office for official recognition as a shelter. This process has lasted four years, beginning with a victory in the first trial, followed by a loss in the second, and ultimately reaching a final appeal at the Supreme Court.

Unfortunately, ARK recently lost the final appeal. Despite their best efforts and seeking additional legal advice, the law did not align with their intentions.

As a result, ARK must vacate its current location. The site, which has been a dog farm for three decades, is located in a restricted development zone. Zoning regulations prohibit the installation of greenhouses, and both the district office and Lotte Corporation are demanding ARK’s departure.

On a positive note, ARK sees this as an opportunity to move to a new location that will offer a better environment for the aging animals.

ARK has completed the lease contract for the new space and are currently undergoing construction. The deposit is 55 million KRW (approx. $38,000 USD), and the construction cost is approximately 130 million KRW (approx. $90,000 USD). For now, the ARK management team has paid part of the deposit through a loan, but they still require ongoing support to cover the remaining balance.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in giving these animals a better future. Please consider supporting ARK Shelter today and help create a space where these dogs can live in peace and dignity. Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of ARK’s mission to give these animals the life they deserve. 🙏💗🐕

DONATION INFORMATION

🆘 Paypal — https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lotte250dogs2020

Monthly donations are also available:
🖌️ $100 per month — https://bit.ly/3vwcEvx
🖌️ $50 per month — https://bit.ly/3MeCY3T
🖌️ $30 per month — https://bit.ly/3vs56tI

💗 $100 a Month Sponsorship

💗 $50 a Month Sponsorship

💗 $30 a Month Sponsorship

💗 One Time Donation

💗 To donate to Animal Rights Korea (ARK) Shelter, the best option is to contribute directly to them. However, we have set up a GoFundMe page for those who prefer an alternative where you can donate and share with your friends and family. Rest assured, 100% of the funds raised on GoFundMe will be donated to ARK Shelter. (South Korea is not on the list of Countries supported on GoFundMe, so KoreanDogs.org is raising money for ARK instead.) 👉 GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/dc86edd4

📢 Please keep in touch and stay up to date with us via the following links!
👉 Instagram
👉 Facebook
👉 YouTube
👉 Adoptable dogs

Photo: A small gesture can make a huge difference in the lives of these dogs. No dog should be treated as food. ARK Shelter.

Thank you!