Shutting Down a Dog Meat Farm

Jean Chung/For HSI
A Second Chance

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Please, help 200 dogs recover from a dog meat farm, and other animals still suffering worldwide

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Home Our Work Shutting Down a Dog Meat Farm

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Rescued from a dog meat farmHSI

UPDATE April 12, 2023:

The nearly 200 dogs rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm are safe! See a video live from the shelter.

Rescued from a dog meat farmHSI

UPDATE March 9, 2023:

Justin was born into frigid cold and terrible conditions on a South Korean dog meat farm.
But the scary journey on the farm is over for this little one. Justin has been rescued and is on his way to a new life. See the video. Meanwhile, Romeo won’t suffer painful feet any longer. See a video of what he endured for so long before rescue.

Rescued from a dog meat farmHSI

UPDATE March 8, 2023:

Watch our report live from Incheon airport and the story of Eva and her one surviving puppy, Sky, who will have a second chance at life, thanks to you.

On a dog meat farmHSI

UPDATE March 6, 2023:

Today’s the day! We removed our first 45 dogs from the farm today and loaded them up to head to the airport in Incheon. They were understandably frightened, so we tried to reassure them as much as possible. There were tears of happiness from our HSI team to see these beautiful dogs finally leave this miserable farm behind them. Watch our Facebook live from the scene, video of Samsun, who will never again be forced to breed, and a video of Max, a tiny, fragile puppy.

On a dog meat farmHSI

UPDATE March 4, 2023:

Thanks to your generosity, our Animal Rescue Team is now on the ground in South Korea. See a video of Mia, who has been stuck in a barren cage at the end of a long corridor. She could see light, but not access it. Soon, Mia will get to walk through that door and into a new, happier life.

Removing dogs from a dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE March 3, 2023:

Our rescue teams from around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, India, Latin America and Indonesia, have all set off headed for South Korea to join our HSI/Korea team on the ground in Asan-si, Chungcheong province, to close our 18th dog meat farm!

A dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE February 27, 2023:

Our flights for the dogs to the United States have been confirmed, and our HSI/Korea dog meat campaign manager, Sangkyung Lee, says that the dog crates of varying sizes are being delivered to the farm so that they are ready to be assembled. Not long to go now before these dogs can start their new lives.

Removing dogs from a dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE February 22, 2023:

Our HSI/Korea dog meat campaign manager, Sangkyung Lee, visited the farm to look in on the dogs. We are working closely with the farmer to ensure food and proper care has been given. We were able to remove vulnerable puppies and heavily pregnant dogs into temporary boarding to protect them from the freezing temperatures.

Dog on a dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE February 17, 2023:

Nutritious food has been delivered to the farm. The response from our generous donors has ensured that no dog goes hungry. Thank you to all those who have donated so far.

Dog on a dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE February 14, 2023:

The dogs have been vaccinated and given health checks by a veterinarian. Straw has been laid down in their cages to help keep the dogs and puppies warm, especially at night when temperatures often fall below freezing. This initial contact with the dogs offers some comfort while we wait.

A dog meat farmJean Chung

UPDATE February 9, 2023:

Many dogs are pregnant, and mother dogs have been desperately trying to keep their newborn pups alive in the cold. Others are frightened, malnourished and completely isolated.

Past rescues

Saved from the dog meat trade, meet Sunshine

“She literally would have died had she not been saved… I want to do whatever I can to help those other dogs.” -Sunshine’s mom

Rescued from a dog meat farm, Max is loving life after surgery!

“He now has the world at his feet—and mouth!.” –Katherine Polak, VP, HSI companion animals and engagement

Meet Hayden, rescued from a dog meat farm

“She truly is the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful dog I’ve ever known.” -Hayden’s new mom

Myles and Sofia, reunited after rescue

“I can’t imagine my life without her now.” -Myles

Fanny experiences life after a dog meat farm

“Your support gives dogs like Fanny a chance to experience life.” -Katherine Polak, VP, HSI companion animals and engagement

How we kept fighting to save dogs and end the dog meat trade in 2022

“Rest assured, we won’t stop fighting until the last commercial dog meat farm and slaughterhouse is closed, and until the value of a dog or cat is never again weighed on scales.” -Kitty Block, CEO of HSI

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Speak out against the dog meat trade

Dogs suffer terribly for human consumption.

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FAQs

1. Who is HSI?

One of the world’s leading animal protection charities, we are active in more than 50 countries, driving positive change for animals for almost 30 years. HSI is approved by the Better Business Bureau for all 20 standards for charity accountability. Through our rescue efforts, disaster response, veterinary clinics, and our work empowering local organizations, we serve a critical and expanding role in tackling animal suffering all over the world.

2. How is eating dog meat any different from eating cows, chickens, or other animals? Isn't this just a cultural thing?

HSI is working in countries around the world to end the cruel treatment of animals raised for food. With more than 88 billion farmed animals killed every year, our goal is to improve their welfare and incentivize a transformation to a plant-forward food system that is better for people, animals and the planet through our plant-based solutions campaign. We engage with public and private institutions, including food-service companies, corporations, municipalities and inter-government agencies, to replace at least 20% of their offerings with plant-based meals and lower the demand for meat, eggs, dairy and fish. In 2021, HSI secured commitments from institutions around the world which, when fully implemented, will result in more than 23.8 million plant-based meals replacing animal-based meals every year. In countries such as Indonesia and South Korea, there are currently undeniable socio-political circumstances supporting the end of the dog meat trade. As campaigners, we cannot ignore the opportunity this creates to end the suffering for millions of animals.

Most people in South Korea do not regularly eat dog meat, and local opposition to the dog meat trade is increasing. South Koreans have been conducting extremely vibrant campaigns for an end to the dog meat trade. In fact, the very idea that dog meat consumption is dictated by “culture” is being robustly challenged by South Koreans who find that concept insulting and demeaning. Change is coming from within South Korea and HSI supports that change, actively partnering with South Korean animal protection groups and working cooperatively with local campaigners and other key stakeholders.

We know that, in general, many people can relate more to dogs and cats because they have them as companions in their homes. But, our dog meat campaign should motivate people to think about other animals such as pigs, cows and chickens who also suffer enormously in the meat, dairy and egg industries, and that can motivate people to make more compassionate food choices overall.

3. What happens to the dog meat farmer/farm; are they just going to open another farm?

HSI develops a legally binding agreement with each farmer to permanently close their dog farm and have the cages destroyed. That contract with the farmer also ensures they will never return to farming dogs or any other animals in the future. We develop a business plan with them to help them transition to a humane livelihood.

4. How can I adopt one of the dogs?

The dogs we rescue from South Korea are transported to Shelter and Rescue Partners in the U.S., Canada and, sometimes, the U.K., which then facilitate adoptions after assessing and addressing any health or behavioral concerns. We have a network of Shelter and Rescue Partners and they may not be the same for each farm closure. You can find a list of Shelter and Rescue Partners at which the dogs from the farm closed down in 2023 have been placed here. We will continue to update this list as more dogs are placed with Partners.

Shutting down a dog meat farm and bringing the dogs to safety in compliance with local and international law is a huge undertaking that requires substantial funding, planning and coordination. Thank you for your patience.

If you do adopt (or have adopted) a South Korea rescue dog, please tag us in a photo @hsiglobal on Facebook and Instagram!

5. Why do you transport the dogs overseas instead of adopting them out locally in South Korea?

While pet ownership continues to increase in popularity, animal adoption is still relatively new, and there are few animal shelters, most of which are already overcrowded and under-resourced. In addition, dog meat traders have perpetuated a misconception that “meat dogs” found on dog meat farms are somehow different from “pet dogs.” HSI is helping to change this perspective by showcasing the countless adoptions of dogs rescued from farms into loving families in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and we hope to help encourage an adoption culture in South Korea over time.

6. What about dogs in shelters in the U.S. and other countries who need homes?

The placement of dogs from South Korean dog meat farms with Shelter and Rescue Partners in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom increases media and public attention on these organizations and the help that they offer to homeless dogs and cats in their communities. While it’s the compelling and, often tragic, stories of the South Korean dogs that attract potential adopters, in many cases, people find their new canine family member among other dogs in the care of these organizations and overall adoption rates increase.

7. Other than farm closures, what else is HSI doing to end the dog meat trade?

HSI employs a multi-pronged approach to ending the dog and cat meat trades across Asia, primarily in South Korea, Indonesia, Viet Nam and China. We work closely with local governments, animal welfare organizations, media, celebrities and other key stakeholders to increase public and political awareness about key issues such as animal cruelty and threats to human health from the trades.

In South Korea, our dog meat farm closures make headlines in local media, helping expose the truth behind the industry and dispelling a strong misconception that there is a difference between “pet dogs” and “meat dogs,” a claim often promulgated by the industry to appease concerns by the ever-growing pet-owning population. By working with farmers who wish to close their farms permanently, our Models for Change program provides a model that can be adopted by the Korean government to put an end to the industry for good. This approach also creates wonderful ambassadors for our calls to end the dog meat industry: the farmers with whom we work, who become allies for our campaign, and the dogs we save. The rescued dogs serve as amazing ambassadors in our public awareness campaigns in South Korea and, through social media and other media channels, HSI is gradually dispelling the misconceptions surrounding dogs on “meat farms” by showing the truth behind the trade and disseminating stories of the rescued “meat” dogs who have been adopted into loving homes. In this way, we are showing that all dogs, regardless of breed or place of birth, are companions and should be equally protected from cruelty and exploitation.

Within Indonesia, as part of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, we have exposed the horrific cruelty of the trade—including at live animal markets in North Sulawesi and in slaughterhouses in Java—and are actively working with the central and local governments to crack down on the trade. A growing number of cities and regencies have passed local regulations explicitly prohibiting the dog and cat meat trades throughout their jurisdictions, including those in dog meat trading “hotspots” where thousands of dogs are trafficked to and from each month. Our ultimate goal is an enforced nationwide ban.

In Viet Nam, we conduct investigations and research to help raise the profile of the issue with the authorities and those in a position to effect change. We are also providing training to local animal protection groups to help build capacity and the skills needed to provide care for companion animals, including those rescued from the country’s dangerous and profit-driven dog and cat meat trades. In November of 2022, we officially launched our Models for Change program in Viet Nam—a program we have been operating in South Korea since 2015 whereby we work with industry workers to close their dog and cat meat-related operations permanently and help them transition to a new, humane livelihood, while also rescuing all the animals on site.

In China, HSI is supporting numerous local animal welfare organizations in addressing the dog and cat meat trades within their own country and supporting calls for local and nationwide actions to tackle the trades. Since August 2014, our partner groups have assisted in the rescue of thousands of dogs and cats across China from large transport vehicles carrying hundreds of captured animals in crowded cages to their deaths at slaughterhouses. Our partner groups are also helping to raise vital public awareness of the inherent cruelty and dangers of the trades and empower local animal advocates. Together with our partner groups Vshine and CAWA, we support two shelters in Dalian and Beijing where animal victims of the dog and cat meat trades can receive veterinary treatment and care.

To learn more about our end dog meat campaign, visit hsi.org/dogmeat.

8. Why can't the person taking the photos at the dog meat farm rescue the dogs / Why does the rescue take so long?

The dog meat farmers allow our team to take photos of the dogs on the farm as part of our efforts to raise enough funds to shut down the farm. At the same time, our team is allowed access to administer vaccinations required for the dogs’ travel. Shutting down the farm and bringing the dogs to safety in compliance with local and international law is a huge undertaking that requires substantial funding, planning and coordination, not least to find shelter partners in the receiving countries able to accommodate large volumes of dogs from overseas. Once a farm is identified, we assist the farmer with making improvements to the dogs’ living conditions. We perform random inspections to make sure the dogs are safe and well-fed and provide emergency care for those suffering injuries and illnesses until we’ve established a concrete plan to transport the dogs to our Shelter and Rescue Partners abroad.

9. What are you doing to prevent these dogs from bringing diseases into the U.S. and other countries?

HSI goes above and beyond the legal requirements for bringing dogs into the U.S. and other countries, ensuring both legal compliance and the animal’s health and welfare. Once a farm is secured, HSI staff visit with our Korean veterinarian and provide rabies, DHPP, canine coronavirus and canine influenza vaccinations, along with microchipping. We also test for the presence of canine influenza and provide treatment for endo- and ecto-parasites. Additionally, the farm is closed during this time so no new dogs come into the property and no dogs leave, except those requiring extra care, who are transferred to a different facility. This occurs for a minimum of 30 days prior to removal. During the 30-day period, our staff in Korea stays in contact with the farmer and visits the farm, checking on the animals and moving any who need veterinary care to a different facility. After 30 days, the process for flying the animals out begins. The dogs are transported to one of our care and rehabilitation centers in Canada and/or the U.S. or directly to Shelter and Rescue Partners. Upon arrival in the U.S. or Canada, the dogs are further tested for a variety of infectious diseases including heartworm and tick-borne diseases and receive booster vaccinations, are vaccinated for Bordetella and are further dewormed. An additional examination by a veterinarian is conducted before a determination is made regarding readiness for adoption.

10. Can I volunteer on the farm / Other than making a donation, how can I help?

Although we always appreciate the offer, we have a well-trained and experienced animal rescue team that specializes in the handling methods for dogs from these farms and similar situations, and for this reason we’re unable to accept the generous offers of volunteers to help with the South Korea rescues.

If you are looking for hands-on volunteering opportunities and live in the United States or Canada, you may wish to learn about volunteer opportunities with the Animal Rescue Team of our affiliate, The Humane Society of the United States.

If you are unable to donate at this time, please know how important and appreciated your advocacy is to our organization. Please like our Facebook page, continue to sign our petitions, and share our posts on social media to participate in our collective effort to achieve change for animals.

As far as general ways to help, that anybody, in any location can do, please see our web page: 25 Actions to Help Animals and HSI.

11. How are my donations being used?

We are very careful in spending donations from our generous donors. We are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and score consistently high rankings across charity review sites. 85% of our funds go toward lifesaving animal protection programs, 10% toward fundraising and 5% toward administrative costs.

12. Contact us for more information.

If you have any questions that weren’t answered above or by searching our website, please send an email to info@hsi.org and we will respond as soon as possible.

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