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Our Impact

South Korea’s Animal Protection Act has been in place since 1991.

In the past decade or so, public support for animal protection has increased, and the South Korean government has updated its animal protection legislation accordingly.

What we are working on

A huge win came in 2024, when the National Assembly announced a ban on the dog meat industry beginning in 2027. Now, Humane World for Animals is continuing work on the issue. To ensure the dog meat ban is effective, we’re increasing public support for the ban during the phase-out period. And we’re focused on humane management of the remaining dogs still in the industry.

There’s more work to be done—including promoting state-of-the-art science to replace animal testing in the country.

 

Rescuing a dog from a dog meat farm in South Korea

Jean Chung/For Humane World for Animals

Dogs in South Korea have hope for a brighter future.

Ending the dog meat trade

In the past, as many as 1 million dogs were raised, farmed and killed for human consumption each year in South Korea. Along with our partners, Humane World for Animals pushed for a ban for over a decade. Before the ban was passed, we helped close 18 farms and rescued more than 2,700 dogs, who found loving homes across the world, including in South Korea, the UK, Canada, the U.S. and the Netherlands.

Mouse in a lab

Brandon Laufenberg/iStock

Mice, rabbits and other animals suffer in labs worldwide.

Ending animal testing

We led a successful campaign to ban animal testing of cosmetics in South Korea, and we championed the addition of animal protective reforms to national laws governing the testing of chemicals and biocidal products. We’ve also negotiated changes to rules for vaccine testing that have spared thousands of animals from severe suffering and death in needless tests. Now, we’re supporting a groundbreaking new law that would require all government ministries to collaborate to develop and implement a roadmap for animal-free science.

Latest News

Daniel Henney at a dog meat farm in South Korea

Jean Chung

‘Wheel of Time’ actor Daniel Henney joins Humane World for Animals to rescue 67 dogs from a dog meat farm in South Korea

SEOUL—Ahead of South Korea’s dog meat ban coming into force in February 2027, Korean American actor Daniel Henney has helped charity Humane World for Animals rescue 67 dogs who were trapped on a dog

South Korea
A new life in America for seven dogs who survived wildfire at South Korean dog meat farm that killed 700 canines

SEOUL—Seven dogs―the sole survivors of a devastating wildfire that destroyed a dog meat farm in Andong, Gyeongbuk Province in South Korea where 700 dogs burned to death―are being flown to safety in

South Korea
As South Korea government publishes Basic Plan to end dog meat, HSI/Korea says it’s an ‘important milestone’ but more action is needed to prevent unnecessary dog suffering

SEOUL—As South Korea’s government today published its much-anticipated Basic Plan for the phase out of the dog meat industry, animal campaigners at Humane Society International/Korea have welcomed it

South Korea

Give them a better life

Our Animal Rescue Team rescued nearly 70 dogs and puppies from a dog meat farm in South Korea last week. Donate to help with the urgent care of these rescued dog meat survivors and to help other animals still suffering across the globe.

Jean Chung/For Humane World for Animals