Reflections on South Korea dog meat ban

These dogs will be amazing ambassadors for our efforts to end the cruelty of the dog meat trade, and we hope to open a dialogue with the South Korean government about doing just that.

Before Humane Society International, I wouldn’t talk to the dogs, and I stopped myself from caring about them because it made it harder selling them to traders. But after I decided to work with [HSI], I started to talk to these dogs and told them to hang on. I told them they are going to have a much better life. And I mean it. I feel really great and happy for them.

The images of empty cages after all the dogs were rescued deeply move me. When we walked through the cages during previous visits to the farms, I was overwhelmed by the noise, and my heart ached seeing injured dogs covered in filth. But after the rescue, the crying ceased, and the brutal scenes were replaced by a sense of calm. This project couldn’t have been so successful without my colleagues from around the world. The strong connection, support and seamless teamwork I felt underscored our collective efforts. I have learned from this experience that we need to talk to animals with our heart and talk to humans with kind words.

This new law means Korea acknowledging the brutality and cruelty involved in the dog meat industry and opening a new chapter for not only dogs but for overall animal welfare. This also symbolizes a win for everyone in the Humane Society family whose sweat, tears and souls have gone into making this happen.

I grew up thinking the dogs we Koreans ate were different from pet dogs. The general perception of the dogs on the farms in Korea has changed dramatically thanks to the animal welfare groups and concerned citizens, and meat trading will be banned in three years. I am really glad to know that Koreans are now more aware of animal rights, especially dogs and cats. That means more and more Koreans see no difference between the dogs used for food and dogs we live together with as a family. I hope this can be the first step to a better life for these dogs and that this helps reduce the consumption of other animals.

We permanently closed 18 dog meat farms and assisted with the closure of the nation’s dog meat markets and largest dog slaughterhouse, rescuing more than 2,700 dogs and ending the cycle of suffering for countless more. The process of closing the farms took many months of working with the farmers to understand them and explain how we can help them make the transition. Many months of preparing the dogs—vet checks, vaccinations, finding placements in the U.S., UK or Canada. Months of visits and seeing the dogs watch you walk away, not knowing that you are coming back. During every farm closure, I would wonder when it would be the last one, when we would finally succeed in our shared promise. It was a campaign of such heartache at times, but we knew we would never give up because we knew this was a fight we had to win. Failing was never an option.

In early 2016, I recall visiting dog meat farms in South Korea we were then unable to close, facing the heartache of leaving dogs behind in freezing conditions. Despite the emotional toll, I felt a flicker of hope when the National Institutes of Health announced its intention to end chimpanzee testing and retire the animals. I dreamt of similar success for Korean dogs, though the task felt daunting. Over years of advocacy and countless trips to Korea, things began to change. Now, just eight years later, the announcement of the ban feels surreal. South Korea may lead the end of dog meat, a testament to perseverance and progress.

No matter how many dog farms I’ve been to, it’s always shocking to be confronted by the deafening noise of hundreds of panicked dogs barking, the overpowering stench and the devastating injustice of this awful existence these remarkable animals are forced to endure. I am always amazed to see how resilient these dog meat trade survivors can be despite the ordeal they have been through. Although mental scars may linger, that doesn’t stop them living their best lives in their loving families and enjoying all the toys, treats, long walks, belly rubs and kisses that every dog deserves. Nothing beats seeing dog meat trade survivors running zoomies. They spend so long locked away in a tiny metal cage, the freedom to finally be able to use up their energy and race around must feel so liberating. I never get tired of seeing that.