Meet the NYers saving hundreds of adorable dogs from ending up on the menu
A small animal rescue based on Long Island is working across borders to pull dogs out of the international meat trade and place them with families in the United States.
Run 2 The Rescue, launched by Sag Harbor resident Bonnie Klapper and partner Brandy Cherven, has helped save around 600 dogs so far. The group collaborates with rescuers in China who intervene before animals are sold at markets or sent to slaughter.
Klapper described the grim reality many of the dogs face, explaining that some are stolen pets or come from breeders who sell unwanted animals by weight. She recently held a toy poodle named Junebug, one of several dogs saved after a breeding facility shut down, leaving its remaining animals destined for slaughter.
According to Humane World for Animals, tens of millions of dogs are killed globally each year for consumption, including an estimated 10 million in China. Despite the scale, Cherven said there are relatively few rescuers on the ground, and even fewer willing to take in animals that are sick or severely injured. She emphasized that their organization does not turn any dog away, even in the most difficult cases.
The rescue network in China sometimes intercepts transport trucks or negotiates directly with butchers, mills, and labs to secure animals’ release. In some situations, they pressure operators by pointing out licensing violations. Once freed, the dogs are treated at a sanctuary before being flown to the U.S.
One recent arrival was a three-year-old schnauzer named Twitch, who had suffered a fractured skull. He was welcomed at John F. Kennedy International Airport and taken in by a foster family from Freeport, New York. His foster caregiver, Yolanda Lobban, said giving dogs like Twitch a chance at a better life is deeply meaningful.
That same flight also brought in several other dogs, including Junebug and a partially blind poodle named Pearl, both adopted by a couple in Syracuse experienced in caring for special-needs animals. In another operation, the group helped save 77 beagles that had been used for laboratory testing and were on their way to slaughter.
Some cases leave a lasting impression. One dog, a Malamute named Kronk, had been so severely beaten that he still struggles to walk properly. Now living with Cherven in Ohio, he has recovered significantly and gained weight in a safe environment.
For Klapper, moments like these define the work. Watching dogs recover from abuse and find stable homes, she said, is the most rewarding part of the mission—for both the animals and the people helping them.
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