According to Humane Society International, about 2 million dogs are raised in South Korean dog farms each year and about 1 million are killed and eaten. The consumption of dog meat has been a part of many traditions across Asia, but fortunately, the number of people are starting to dwindle due to animal activism and modern ideas among younger generations. Based on a survey by Korean Animal Rights Advocates, 39% of South Koreans have tried dog meat, while 13% continue to consume it. The main problem with this (aside from the fact that it is inhumane) is that dogs are not even classified as livestock under South Korea’s 1962 Livestock Processing Act, which means their slaughter is not regulated. This gray area can cause even more harm towards dogs compared to other livestock, especially considering that tortured dog meat is believed to have medicinal benefits. This dog meat trade has been going on for years, but luckily some organizations are striving to put an end to it.
One organization that has truly helped the cause is Korean K9 Rescue. They are a non-profit organization that gathers volunteers in New York City to partner with South Korean dog rescuers. The dogs are brought back to the U.S., where the likelihood of them being adopted are much higher. With 50,600 followers on Instagram, Korean K9 Rescue is able to spread awareness to a large audience through their posts, and captions them with the hashtag #BanDogMeat movement. They also make it possible for anyone to help out the dog meat trade by asking for volunteers who can foster, accompany a dog on a plane, or even join their organization. You can also adopt the rescued dogs!
Supporting organizations such as the Korean K9 Rescue gives hope that one day there will be an end to the dog meat trade. If you are 24 or older and looking to adopt a dog, consider getting one from this organization as you will be contributing to the rescue of helpless dogs. Donating is also something that can really help out, especially during this pandemic where cargo flights have to be bought for triple the cost whereas flight volunteers would usually help for free. If you are interested, you can also become a patreon for Korean K9 Rescue and receive exclusive videos and photos of the rescue dogs at their Bundang, Korea facility for a membership of $5 or $10 a month. If you join the $25 membership, you can also receive early preview access to photos/videos of adoptable dogs that are scheduled to arrive in NYC!