May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Throughout the month, Broadway Stages will feature and celebrate exceptional people, businesses, and organizations of Asian and Pacific Island heritage. We invite you to join us in recognizing their accomplishments and contributions! Today, we would like to share the story of Korean K9 Rescue with you.

Some in Korea falsely believe dog meat has medicinal benefits. As a result, an estimated 2.5 million dogs fall prey to the dog meat trade every year. Korean K9 Rescue has been fighting to end the trade and liberate the dogs at stake. To date, they have rescued and adopted out over 3,500 dogs.

Centered in Long Island City, Queens, Korean K9 is a volunteer-oriented nonprofit that works with local and regional South Korean dog rescues/activists and high-kill shelters. Their efforts resulted in a final bill passing in Korea this past January ending the dog meat trade by 2027.

Beyond this, they have been working hard to pass additional legislation similar to England's "Lucy Law," which will end puppy mills by banning third-party sales of pet stores and dealers. The bill would also promote responsible breeding and foster a more humane welfare approach to pet ownership.

However, because there is a stigma against "mixed" dogs in South Korea, many dogs there have to be brought across the ocean for adoption. This is where Korean K9's American team comes into play. The organization brings at-risk dogs to New York City for a second chance at a loving forever home. From their home base in Queens, they open up adoptions to qualified homes in NYC, Long Island, NJ, CT, PA, Washington D.C., and Maryland.

As Korean K9 runs on volunteer help, it is always looking for more dedicated and animal-loving friends to join its mission. If you feel passionate about their mission and want to be part of it, visit their volunteer page to learn more. Your financial support is also welcome.

A great way to help out is by fostering a dog. Foster homes give the dogs time to decompress and adjust to their new lives. They also provide valuable information to help the dogs successfully find forever homes.

And, of course, there is adoption. Korean K9 tries to set each dog and adopter up for success. This includes having a thorough adoption screening process, ensuring that adopters possess the proper dog supplies, requiring adopters to enroll in training, and being responsive to any questions that adopters have along the way. There is a fee to cover costs, but a portion of the adoption fee goes back to groups in Korea. If you are considering adopting a dog, visit one of their many adoption events!

One recent patron summed up their experience: "With so many rescue organizations in NYC, it can be hard to find the best fit. As a volunteer, former foster parent, and recent adopter at Korean K9 Rescue, I can say that the team is incredible, the process is very clear and hands-on. I could not be happier with my experience and my rescue pup.

They have extensive resources for prospective and new adopters, including orientation, manuals, vet recommendations, trainers, etc. An important piece for me is KK9R's post-adoption check-in process and the wonderful community they have built for "alumni" adopters. I can't recommend them enough!”

Broadway Stages is more than a film, television, live streaming and music video studio production company. We value the flora and fauna in our neighborhoods and worldwide. We are thrilled with the continued progress and commitment of Korean K9 Rescue. We encourage you to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more news about adoptions and their efforts to make a world where the well-being of dogs is a priority.