November 17th, 2023

Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, South Korea— In a landmark proposal that marks a significant milestone in animal welfare, the South Korean government has announced its commitment to end dog meat consumption by 2027. This historic proclamation has been met with widespread approval by animal rights groups, including Korean K9 Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from South Korea and placing them with loving forever families in the United States. Check out our new video, just released here.

The initiative was revealed in a tri-party meeting attended by key South Korean government officials on Nov 17th in Congress, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to eradicate the dog meat trade within the next four years. This includes a law set to be passed this year that will enforce the cessation of dog breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale for consumption purposes.

Korean K9 Rescue hails this as a pivotal step forward in undoing centuries of inhumane treatment of dogs, which has
persisted despite growing political and social pressure. The Rescue’s efforts in Bundang, South Korea, align closely with the government’s new plan, focusing on rescuing hundreds of dogs annually from the streets, dog meat farms, high-kill shelters, and puppy mills. All of these dogs face the dangers of the dog meat trade in South Korea.

“Today represents a significant triumph for the welfare of animals, a testament to the relentless efforts and unwavering commitment of Korean K9 Rescue and its allies,” stated Gina Boehler from Korean K9 Rescue. “The decisive action taken by the South Korean government to prohibit a tradition responsible for the deaths of millions of dogs marks a pivotal win in animal rights. Yet, there’s an urgency for expediting this transition; the three years ahead will pose the most challenging rescue operations we have ever faced.”

The government’s strategy includes substantial changes such as removing dogs from the livestock category and imposing severe penalties for illegal activities involving dog meat, with up to three years of imprisonment or fines up to 30 million won. By July 2024, entities involved in the dog meat trade must submit detailed plans for winding down their operations, with a complete ban on establishing new dog farms or slaughterhouses by 2027, in order to receive a government subsidy based on income generated from their cruel industry.

“In light of the impending legislative changes, we find ourselves in a critical countdown to save and safeguard as many dogs as possible from an industry potentially facing a final, desperate expansion. Anticipated government subsidies based on farm size may fuel a rise in the number of dog farms and slaughterhouses between now and 2027. However, with the unwavering support of our community, we have the power to transform this period into an era of transformation and healing rather than one of anguish,” Gina of Korean K9 Rescue conveyed. “As we embrace this legislative milestone, our commitment is stronger than ever. Korean K9 Rescue is resolute in its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and
rehome dogs in distress.”

Korean K9 Rescue extends its gratitude to the global community for their support and to the South Korean government for taking a stand for animal rights. Korean K9 Rescue pledges to persist in its advocacy and rescue efforts until every dog meat farm is shut down and every dog has the chance to live a happy and free life. We’ve saved over 3,500+ dogs from the dog meat trade, high kill shelters, puppy mills, stray, and abandoned since 2017 and have given them all a second chance in a loving home.

For more information on Korean K9 Rescue, our mission, or to support our cause, please visit Koreank9rescue.org. Korean
K9 Rescue, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation that was incorporated in New York that the Internal Revenue Service has
determined qualifies for classification as a section 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN#81-4950261). NYS charity registration # 46-48-24. NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets # RR274

Media Contact:
Rob Ferrara I Koreank9rescue.org I 631-338-5599 I robert.ferrara20@gmail.com