Seeking an end to dog meat in South Korea

A South Korean dog farm, 2008: the highly unnatural and unsanitary conditions that cause so much distress to the dogs.
© Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA)

WSPA works with three local organisations in Korea to end the cruelty and suffering involved in all stages of the dog meat trade. We offer them support and funding to grow and campaign effectively on this crucial animal welfare issue.

As well as working with the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA)  since 2005, WSPA has grown its network of Korean member societies, which now includes Coexistence for Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) and the Korean Association for Animal Protection (KAAP).

Together we campaign to raise the status of companion animals in South Korea, by:

• raising public awareness by informing South Korean people about the cruelty within the trade and explaining the welfare needs of dogs and other animals

• highlighting the human health concerns associated with dog meat consumption

• investigating cruelty and lobbying the government in order to expose animal welfare abuses within the trade and highlight inconsistencies in the existing legislation, which only protects ‘pet’ animals from abuse.

It is crucial to battle the myth that there are two distinct types of dog: ‘pet’ dogs – of which there are approximately 5 million in South Korea – and ‘meat’ (or ‘yellow’) dogs. We are supporting local groups to educate the public, and with your generous help, we are building their skills, independence and capacity as we go.

An end in sight?

WSPA and KAWA are working to destroy the myth that ‘yellow’ dogs like this, farmed for their meat, are a species apart from Korea’s much-loved pet dogs.
© AFK supporter

While we have a long way to go, the good news is that opinion polls in South Korea – where animal welfare is a relatively new concept – suggest that the consumption of dogs and cats is reducing in popularity, especially within the younger generation.

Funded by WSPA supporters, local animal protection groups are harnessing this trend in order to promote respect for dogs, cats (who are also cruelly killed for meat), and by extension, all animals.

Please help.Make a donation to WSPA’s animal protection work >>

Read more about our work to end the dog meat trade >>