For Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, competing at the Winter Olympics wasn’t the only mission on his mind. During his time in South Korea, the American athlete became part of a powerful animal-rescue effort that saved dozens of dogs from a meat farm, and one of those dogs ended up becoming part of his family.
Credit: gus kenworthy/instagram
Key Takeaways
- Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy helped rescue dozens of dogs from a South Korean meat farm.
- The mission was part of a Humane Society International campaign to close dog farms and rehome animals.
- Kenworthy personally adopted one puppy named Beemo.
- His actions helped raise awareness about animal welfare worldwide.
- The story highlights how compassion and advocacy can create real change.
Kenworthy, a 2014 Olympic silver medalist in freestyle skiing, has long been known for his love of animals. But his visit to a dog meat farm in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul, became one of the most emotional moments of his career away from the slopes.
In February 2018, while attending the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Kenworthy visited a dog meat farm with Humane Society International (HSI) alongside his boyfriend, actor Matthew Wilkas. The visit was meant to raise awareness about the conditions many dogs face in the industry.
What he saw shocked him.
Dogs were confined in small wire cages, exposed to harsh weather conditions and packed tightly together with little room to move. Kenworthy later described the place as one of the most heartbreaking environments he had ever witnessed.
Credit: gus kenworthy/instagram
Despite the terrible conditions, the dogs were still gentle and eager for affection, something that deeply moved him during the visit.
The visit was part of a larger rescue effort led by Humane Society International, which worked with the farm owner to permanently close the facility. As part of the operation, more than 80 dogs were rescued and prepared to be relocated to new homes in the United States and Canada.
The organization has used similar agreements to help farmers transition to other livelihoods, such as growing mushrooms or peppers, while shutting down dog farms and saving animals from slaughter.
For Kenworthy, the mission wasn’t just about raising awareness. It became personal.
While touring the farm, Kenworthy and Wilkas met a small gray-and-white puppy they instantly connected with. They decided to adopt her and named her Beemo.
After vaccinations and quarantine, Beemo was transported to North America, where she joined Kenworthy’s family.
Kenworthy later explained that the moment he picked her up, he knew she would come home with him.
He also used his platform to highlight the larger issue, noting that millions of dogs are still raised for meat in parts of the world and that the rescue effort was meant to encourage humane solutions for both animals and farmers.
Credit: gus kenworthy/instagram
Kenworthy’s rescue work didn’t begin in South Korea.
During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, he gained international attention after rescuing five stray puppies he found near the Olympic village and bringing them home.
That earlier experience sparked his long-term commitment to animal welfare.
Beemo became a beloved companion for Kenworthy and quickly gained fans online through social media posts showing the pup adjusting to her new life.
Although Beemo later passed away due to a congenital heart condition, Kenworthy continued advocating for rescued animals and later adopted another dog connected to the same rescue effort.
For him, the mission was never about a single dog, it was about drawing attention to the larger issue of animal welfare.
When Kenworthy shared photos and stories about the rescue mission, people across social media responded strongly.
Instagram comments
“Thank you for giving these dogs a chance at life.”
“This is the kind of hero story we need more of.”
Twitter / X
“Using Olympic fame to help animals, respect.”
“Dogs are friends, not food.”
Reddit discussions
“Celebrities can make a real difference when they highlight issues like this.”
“It’s amazing how one visit changed the lives of dozens of dogs.”
Many people said the story reminded them that compassion can come from unexpected places, even during the intensity of the Olympic Games.
Stories like this show how one person’s compassion can change the lives of many animals. If this story moved you, consider supporting local animal shelters or adopting a rescue pet.
For more uplifting stories about animals, kindness, and people making a difference, keep reading Simply Wholesome, where we celebrate the moments that remind us how powerful compassion can be.
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