MONTREAL, Québec—Today, Humane World for Animals Canada (formerly called Humane Society International/Canada) and Humane World Foundation Canada are welcoming 20 dogs rescued by the charity’s global and Korean team from a dog meat farm in Cheongju, South Korea. The dogs will receive critical veterinary services, customized behavioural therapy, love and attention at the organization’s care and rehabilitation centre (CCRC) near Montreal. The CCRC is one of the only facilities in Canada equipped to help severely traumatized dogs. There, safe from the abuse, suffering and neglect they have experienced, they can recover so they are able to be adopted by loving families.
The dogs were rescued by Humane World for Animals on May 8 after local authorities permanently shut down a dog meat farm for cruelty violations and asked the animal group to step in and help the dogs. In total, all 67 dogs who had been languishing on the farm were saved. South Korea is currently phasing out the dog meat industry following a full ban passed by the National Assembly in 2024 that comes into effect in 2027. An estimated 1,500 dog meat farms still operate in South Korea, but closures are accelerating as the ban looms.
“These poor dogs have endured lives of immense suffering, confined in barren cages while waiting to be slaughtered for human consumption. Now, for the first time, they will receive the specialized care and love they so urgently need. Our expert team has extensive experience working with dogs rescued from similar situations of cruelty and we can’t wait to help these dogs begin their journey to recovery”, said Ewa Demianowicz, program director for Humane World for Animals Canada.
Since the passage of the Special Act that banned the trade in January 2024, approximately 40% of dog meat farms in South Korea have closed. The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture expects that number to reach 60% by the end of 2025. While some farmers are choosing to retire, others are transitioning to alternative livelihoods with government support.
Humane World for Animals has played a critical role in achieving legislative change in the country, including through its Models for Change program, launched in 2015, which provided a blueprint adopted into the 2024 ban. The program has worked constructively with farmers to permanently shut down 18 dog meat farms and rescue more than 2,700 dogs. To date, more than 750 of these dogs have found homes in Canada.
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