Ahead of the dog meat ban in South Korea coming into force in February next year, dog meat farms increasingly have been closing across the country. For years, even before the ban passed, our team has worked to rescue dogs from these farms, giving them a brighter future.
Back in 2025, our team arrived in Cheongju, South Korea, after a farm was shut down by authorities for illegal slaughter violations. Stella, one of the dogs rescued, was pregnant when we arrived on scene. On dog meat farms, dogs like Stella are used for breeding over and over, birthing puppies who would eventually be slaughtered for human consumption.
It’s hard to imagine the physical and emotional suffering that these dogs endured every day. They spent their entire lives in small, barren, wire cages without proper food, water, enrichment, comfort, shelter or veterinary care. The slaughter area on this farm was directly in the middle of the cages full of dogs who would have witnessed their cage mates being dragged to the floor and killed. There’s no doubt that Stella experienced immense pain on this farm, all in addition to going through pregnancy.
She will never set paw on that farm again.
After being relocated to a nearby shelter in Cheongju for her recovery, Stella gave birth to five heathy and happy puppies. Once the puppies were old enough for the journey, the whole family was flown to our care and rehabilitation center in Canada where they could receive the proper attention and care they deserved as they prepare for adoption.
Stella’s puppies have adjusted quickly and are now thriving—social, happy and full of life. And I’m pleased to reveal that Stella herself has found a loving home.
Laura Bossy/Humane World for Animals
Stella’s story is just one of so many. Since 2015, we have welcomed nearly 1,000 dog meat farm survivors in Canada. In total, we have rescued nearly 2,800 dogs from dog meat farms in South Korea since our Models for Change program began over a decade ago. They have shown us how resilient and courageous dogs can be. Despite living in horrible conditions, deprived of even basic care, these dogs have gone on to live happy and healthy lives.
We work across Asia to end the dog and cat meat trade. In South Korea, Viet Nam, Indonesia, China and India, we pursue change through legislation, community engagement, animal rescue, rabies vaccination and livelihood transition programs by working both directly and with local partners.
For decades, dog meat farms in South Korea have forced millions of dogs to endure unimaginable suffering. Without this ban, there’s no doubt that these facilities would have gone on to torment and kill countless more. The active role our team has played in securing the ban in South Korea will be an enduring and inspiring legacy of which our organization—and all those who support us—can be rightly proud.
We will continue to advocate for a permanent end to the dog and cat meat trade wherever it exists—creating a kinder, more compassionate world in the process.
Kitty Block is president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. Follow Kitty Block.
