For more than a decade, our rescue teams have saved the lives of thousands of dogs who have endured unimaginable suffering on South Korea’s dog meat farms. Earlier this week, with only months to go before South Korea’s ban on dog meat takes full effect, we completed our final large-scale rescue there.
This last rescue in South Korea represents a major milestone in our mission to end this cruel industry.
Having joined our teams when they conducted rescue operations and dog meat farm closures, I know firsthand how heartbreaking it can be to take that first step onto the farm.
Seeing dog after dog, each one looking at us with such desperation, is something I will never forget. Some of them were strong enough to stand and wag their tails, reminding me of my own dog at home. Others were too weak or frightened to move, huddled in the corners of their cages. It seemed as if they had already given up on living their life.
Jean Chung/For Humane World for Animals International
When our team arrived at the farm in Gangjin, which once bred and slaughtered as many as 1,000 dogs a year, it was clear that the dogs there had endured immense suffering, both physically and mentally. Forced to spend their lives in rows of rusting wire cages, these dogs went without proper food, water, stimulation, comfort, shelter or veterinary care.
Our team found the ground strewn with abandoned collars, a chilling reminder of the countless dogs who had suffered and died there.
Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals
The more than 70 rescued dogs from this farm will be flown out to the U.S. and Canada, where they will find families who can give them the safety, care and love they’ve been deprived of for so long.
Since 2024, when enforcement of the ban began throughout South Korea, more than 1,200 dog farms—about over 80% of all dog farms in the country—have closed.
While this is our last large-scale dog meat farm rescue operation in South Korea, our work is far from over. We will continue monitoring the implementation of the ban in South Korea and working to end the dog and cat meat trade in countries across Asia through locally led efforts.
For decades, countless dogs suffered within South Korea’s dog meat industry. But as attitudes changed and awareness of the industry’s cruelty grew, meaningful progress became possible. We are currently working on ending the dog and cat meat trade in other countries across Asia.
And it is knowing that these dogs are safe, and that the ban that few thought would ever be possible will soon take full effect, that gives us momentum to keep working towards a more compassionate world for all animals.
Humane World for Animals/
End the dog and cat meat trade
Dogs and cats who are victims of the meat trade are mostly stolen pets or street animals that endure immense suffering before being slaughtered. Take action to speak out about this cruel and dangerous practice.
Kitty Block is president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. Follow Kitty Block.
