Editors

Feel-Good Friday: Meet a Rescue Dog Named Diamond

EditorsJan 31, 2020

Feel-Good Friday: Meet a Rescue Dog Named Diamond

And puppies named Emerald, Opal and Tanzanite, who rescuers are trying to bring to the U.S. from a Korean slaughterhouse.

20203131_Diamond.jpg
Meet Diamond, a retriever puppy born into a dog slaughterhouse in South Korea. Jewelry industry members are contributing to fund his, and other dogs and puppies’, medical care, boarding and flight fees to bring them to the U.S. for adoption.

The jewelry industry loves dogs.

I learned as much at one edition of American Gem Society’s annual Conclave event, when Omi Gems and Omi Prive’s Manos Phoundoulakis brought one of his two beloved rescue pups, a German Shepherd named Boots, to raise awareness about rescues.

Manos and his wife rescued Boots from a Chinese slaughterhouse.  

I learned that millions of dogs are consumed in Asia each year, often slaughtered in a painful fashion, stemming from beliefs that torturing the animal tenderizes the meat.

The experience stuck with me.

In 2018, my local New York City animal shelter, Animal Haven, posted on Instagram about one of their canine alumni rescued from a meat farm in South Korea, where it is legal to breed and raise dogs for slaughter.

They linked to the dog’s rescuers, two young women in South Korea, Annie Ham and Ivy Yoon, who physically went in to dog meat farms, trying to remove dogs and get them adopted in the U.S. (in Korea, there is a negative stigma surrounding adoption of meat farm dogs).

Following them on social media led me to adopt my own Korean slaughterhouse rescue in 2018, a shy and very loving boy named Sandwich.

This month, Ivy and Annie were working on a rescue of 65 dogs from a meat farm when they learned of another slaughterhouse fellow volunteers were trying to shut down in a city called Anseong. There, volunteers witnessed the dogs that died from sickness on the farm being fed to the others.     

Annie and Ivy were already desperately searching for funds to pay for vet bills for their 65-dog rescue. I realized this was my time to pay forward what they had done for me, rescuing my fur child from the meat trade.

A week ago, I started a GoFundMe that now goes directly to 501c3 Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, a dog rescue that was created to adopt out Korean meat trade survivors and is funneling every single donated penny to the Anseong dogs.

View this post on Instagram

HELP NEEDED! I’m raising funds to remove puppies and dogs from the Anseong slaughterhouse in South Korea, where it is legal to raise dogs for slaughter. I became aware of these 70-80 dogs, many highly adoptable and many puppies, through my fantastic volunteer contacts who rescued my dog @sandwichthejindo in 2018 They are at capacity with their rescue efforts so I’m trying to raise money for boarding in Korea, vet visits and flights to the U.S. (Per my Korean contacts it is atypical to rescue a meat farm dog in Korea which is why they focus on sending abroad.) We also need flight volunteers already traveling from Incheon airport in Seoul to any U.S. cities. We will not be able to save all of these puppies and dogs but 1 is better than none. My husband @jamesweeyums and I are adopting 1 and paying for its set of fees; fundraising is for the rest. We need ADOPTERS, organizations who will lend assistance, companies and individuals to make donations and especially people to spread the word. It is overwhelming but I know change is possible. #banthedogmeattrade #enddogmeattrade . . . . . . . . #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #rescuedogs #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #rescue #dog #adoptdontshop #adoptdontshop #jindo #puppy #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #help #puppiesofig #koreandog

A post shared by ASHLEY 〰️ Jewelry Editor (@ashleylikesgems) on Jan 23, 2020 at 2:05pm PST



With my fundraising promises intact, Annie and Ivy did the impossible, going to the Anseong dog farm and pulling out 16 puppies and dogs. Since then, they have pulled nine more.

These dogs are remarkable in part because they are extremely friendly and trusting of humans, leading volunteers to believe dogs were not slaughtered on-site but sold to other farmers for butchering.

Of our now 25 total dogs, 11 are puppies, and 10—including the one seen below—have distemper, a sometimes-fatal disease among dogs for which we vaccinate puppies in the U.S.


This is Chi-On, one of the 25 dog slaughterhouse rescues I am trying to get to the U.S. Originally thought to be one of two healthy puppies we rescued from a group of 11, she has now been admitted to the vet for distemper. The costly treatment will run about $3,000 to save her life.

Treatment requires up to a couple of months of daily in-patient care at the vet, quarantined from other dogs. While cheaper than this would be in the U.S., this will cost us up to $3,000 per puppy.

With the cost of spaying/neutering, vaccinating, boarding, flight fees and paperwork for each dog to fly to America, and especially the high costs of the sick puppies, we are looking at about a total bill of $25,000. We’re also hoping to rescue more from the farm.

We’re still naming all of the pups, but considering how precious each one is, I thought it only fitting that some be called: Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Opal, Alexandrite, Gemma, Bijou, Gypsy Ring and Goldie.


This friendly, loving bunch is what we call “highly adoptable” in the rescue world, and Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, Southern Nevada Animal Rescue League and a few other organizations have already agreed to facilitate their adoptions (and if you have a particular dog you’re interested in, let me know!).

The one step missing between the meat farm and their forever homes is, sadly, money for vet bills and the other aforementioned costs.

I’ve seen donations roll in from friends, individuals, strangers, and especially jewelry friends, who amaze me with their generosity.

I humbly ask that you share these dogs’ stories with your communities, repost their stories on your social media accounts, and, only if you’re able, donate to the GoFundMe or directly to Retriever Rescue, specifying your donation is for the Anseong dogs.

Let’s bring these gems home.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Guinness
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGov

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

Gina Ferranti
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at Diavik

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

Jewelers of America Learning Workship Logo
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This Fall

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Gold bracelets and bangles
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers List

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

Buccellati Opera high jewelry bracelet
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

Rolex Datejust ref. 16233
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jean Dinh Van Orgue Ring
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With Exhibition

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth Generation

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

Boucheron Impermanence Boucheron Dragonfly Earrings and Wisteria Hair Piece
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s Impermanence

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

James Avery Cedar Park
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More States

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford, Couture’s new brand director and former fine jewelry buyer at Neiman Marcus
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

Bench jeweler holding a ring and a tool
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic Manufacturing

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

Guzema Celestial Blue
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone Jewelry

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

Nanis Mykonos Store Exterior and Interior
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First Store

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

Long’s Jewelers Summer of Love promo
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s Jewelers

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Ethical Gem Fair
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to Seattle

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

The Edge and The Edge Retail Academy Logos
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in September

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

Miseno Arco Earrings
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ Earrings

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy