In South Korea, a decade-long dog rescue effort ended with 70 saved from one last meat farm

Humane World for Animals said it has completed its final large-scale rescue from South Korea's dog meat industry, removing more than 70 dogs from a farm in Gangjin.

The farm once raised and killed up to 1,000 dogs each year, and this rescue marks the end of the organization's large-scale rescue operations in South Korea after over a decade of saving dogs from the industry.

Here's what to know

Humane World for Animals stated the Gangjin operation will be its last major dog meat farm rescue in the country. Over more than 10 years, its rescue teams have saved thousands of dogs from farms across the country. 

The organization said the Gangjin operation was a pivotal breakthrough: "This last rescue in South Korea represents a major milestone in our mission to end this cruel industry."

Collars left behind littered the Gangjin property, which the organization said underscored how many animals had already suffered and died there. The dogs still on the farm were being kept in rusting wire cages without basics such as food, water, shelter, stimulation, veterinary care, and comfort.

The rescue happened as the industry rapidly shrinks under the ban on dog meat. The organization said that, since the ban started being enforced in 2024, more than 1,200 dog farms — over 80% of the country's total — have closed.

More background

For animal welfare groups, the Gangjin operation closes out a fight that has lasted for years. Humane World for Animals said arriving at farms such as this can be emotionally wrenching, with rows of animals in desperate condition confronting rescuers.

At Gangjin, the group said some dogs still managed to stand and wag. Others stayed huddled in the corners of their cages, too weak or frightened to move. According to Humane World for Animals, the contrasting behaviors reflected both the physical harm and the psychological trauma they had endured.

Looking ahead, Humane World for Animals said that with changing public views and growing awareness of the industry's cruelty, "meaningful progress became possible."

What's being done?

Humane World for Animals said the more than 70 dogs from the Gangjin farm are being taken to the U.S. and Canada to find families.

Humane World for Animals said it will stay engaged in the region even though this was its last large-scale South Korea rescue. The group plans to monitor how the ban is carried out and continue supporting locally led efforts against the dog and cat meat trade elsewhere in Asia.

"While this is our last large-scale dog meat farm rescue operation in South Korea, our work is far from over," the organization said.

Where can I learn more?

For more on how animal rescues and animal welfare policy are unfolding elsewhere, these stories follow animals removed from abusive farms, dogs saved from dangerous conditions, and lawmakers moving against another controversial meat trade.

• In Ohio, rescuers plucked hundreds of animals from a fur farm after shocking conditions surfaced.

• In Malaysia, volunteers freed a stray dog from a plastic container after weeks trapped.

• Animal rescuers issued an urgent warning as more strays were found tangled in plastic waste.

• With handler Rita Santos, rescue dog Hera now helps locate wildlife scat for conservation work.

• In Belgium, Flemish lawmakers mandated a ban on kangaroo meat from a controversial trade.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.