More Than 70 Dogs Rescued From South Korean Dog Meat Farm Ahead Of Nationwide Ban
More than 70 dogs have been rescued from a dog meat farm in Gangjin, South Korea, in Humane World for Animals’ final large-scale dog meat farm rescue before the nationwide ban takes full effect in February 2027.
The dogs include Jindos, a German shepherd, a corgi mix, a husky mix, several spitz mixes, puppies, and other small and medium-sized dogs. The animals are the final survivors at a farm that once bred and slaughtered as many as 1,000 dogs each year.
Humane World for Animals has rescued almost 3,000 dogs from South Korean dog meat farms since 2015.
Sangkyung Lee, Humane World for Animals Korea campaign manager, stated:
“For more than a decade, our rescue teams have shone a spotlight inside these dog meat farms and faced the heartbreak of witnessing the suffering involved in this industry while saving the lives of thousands of dogs. To be conducting our final farm rescue is an incredibly profound moment. These 70 dogs are among the very last few to suffer in this dying industry, and sending them to the USA and Canada to start new lives in loving families feels like the perfect closing chapter to our 10-year mission as South Korea embarks on a new relationship with dogs in which they are friends not food.”
The farm came to the attention of animal advocates earlier this year after a member of the public contacted a local animal protection group. The group and Humane World for Animals alerted local authorities, who cited the farm for violations of the Animal Protection Act relating to animal husbandry and management.
The farmer agreed to relinquish the remaining dogs and signed a written commitment to no longer participate in the dog meat industry.
On September 29, more than 70 dogs were removed from the farm and transported to secure facilities at Incheon Airport. On September 30, the first group departed South Korea for the United States and Canada.
The dogs will initially be cared for at Humane World for Animals’ rehabilitation center before being transferred to partner organizations to begin their search for adoptive families.
South Korea’s ban on the dog meat industry was unanimously passed by the National Assembly in January 2024. Beginning February 7, 2027, it will be illegal to farm, kill, butcher or sell dogs or dog meat for human consumption. Violations can carry penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to ₩30 million.
In May 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that 1,265 registered dog meat farms, representing 82% of the total, had already closed, with 272 remaining.
With its final large-scale dog meat farm rescue in South Korea now completed, Humane World for Animals says its work will shift toward monitoring compliance with and enforcement of the ban.
