WASHINGTON — More than two dozen dogs rescued from a South Korea meat farm are now in the D.C. area, and are being prepared for new loving homes.

Some of the dogs are skittish around people and awkward walking on a leash. They’ve lived their entire lives in cages that are open to the elements and suspended over the ground.

“They never actually even walk physically on the ground at any point in time. They don’t even know what grass feels like beneath their feet. And then within a year they’re sold off to slaughter,” says Director of Companion Animals and Engagement with Humane Society International Kelly O’Meara

The dogs aren’t immediately available for adoption. It will take a few weeks to get them ready for new homes.

“We’ll make sure that medically, they’ve gotten all their vaccinations and that they’re in good health. We’ll need to spay and neuter them,” says Abbie Hubbard of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“Then we’ll take a look at their behavior and if they need any support, we’ll make sure we provide that either to a foster or an adoptive parent.”

The dogs soon will be available for adoption from the Washington Animal Rescue League, Washington Humane Society, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

This batch of animals comes from the fourth dog meat farm shutdown this year by Humane Society International. O’Meara says the farmers are happy to give up the animals.

“We offer them seed funding to make a transition into new business. We take custody of the dogs and remove them and we demolition all of their property so that it becomes a farm that can be used for another purpose such as crop growing,” O’Meara says.

To read about other pets that are up for adoption, check out WTOP’s Pet of the Week page.