In a significant move towards animal welfare, South Korea has enacted legislation to ban the sale of dog meat for consumption, effective in February 2027. This decision has prompted both support and concern from various sectors, primarily affecting those directly involved in the dog meat trade. Reverend Joo Yeong-bong, a dog farmer and president of the Korean Association of Edible Dogs, reveals that the urgent reality of the ban is leaving dog farmers trapped in a cycle of debt without prospective buyers for their animals.
The legislation, which was initiated amid rising animal rights sentiments, has placed an immense pressure on dog farmers who fear losing their lifelong livelihood. For Chan-woo, another farmer, the impending deadline looms large with over 600 dogs to unburden from his trade within 18 months. "The law was created without a proper plan for the dogs or farmers," he explained, underscoring the lack of guidance on how to manage the abandoned canines.
Animal rights groups have expressed their commitment to addressing the situation but face their own challenges. Lee Sangkyung from Humane World for Animals Korea (Hwak) emphasized the urgent need for strategies on how to care for the dogs left in limbo. Compounding the issues, society-wide stigmas against dogs from meat farms make adoption increasingly difficult, and overcrowded shelters are further struggling to care for these animals.
While there is some government backing to facilitate this transition, including financial compensation for closing down, experts warn that many animals may ultimately face euthanasia as a last resort if suitable homes cannot be found. "It’s devastating," remarked Cho Hee-kyung, from the Korean Animal Welfare Association, acknowledging that while efforts to rescue as many dogs as possible continue, there will likely still be dogs that are left behind.
In an attempt to adapt, some dog farmers are seeking international solutions, sending dogs to adoption networks in countries like Canada and the U.S. However, this is only a partial fix amid an overwhelming situation for those involved in the trade. The larger question remains: as a culture evolves away from the acceptance of dog meat, what safety nets can be established for those losing their livelihoods and the dogs caught in the crossfire?
As farmers like Joo and Chan-woo navigate these uncharted waters, their future hangs precariously in the balance, illustrating the need for a comprehensive and humane approach to both their financial wellbeing and the welfare of the dogs. "There is a desperate need for a practical plan," said Joo, as he voiced a collective fear among farmers that the situation could lead some to even more disheartening outcomes by the deadline in 2027.
The legislation, which was initiated amid rising animal rights sentiments, has placed an immense pressure on dog farmers who fear losing their lifelong livelihood. For Chan-woo, another farmer, the impending deadline looms large with over 600 dogs to unburden from his trade within 18 months. "The law was created without a proper plan for the dogs or farmers," he explained, underscoring the lack of guidance on how to manage the abandoned canines.
Animal rights groups have expressed their commitment to addressing the situation but face their own challenges. Lee Sangkyung from Humane World for Animals Korea (Hwak) emphasized the urgent need for strategies on how to care for the dogs left in limbo. Compounding the issues, society-wide stigmas against dogs from meat farms make adoption increasingly difficult, and overcrowded shelters are further struggling to care for these animals.
While there is some government backing to facilitate this transition, including financial compensation for closing down, experts warn that many animals may ultimately face euthanasia as a last resort if suitable homes cannot be found. "It’s devastating," remarked Cho Hee-kyung, from the Korean Animal Welfare Association, acknowledging that while efforts to rescue as many dogs as possible continue, there will likely still be dogs that are left behind.
In an attempt to adapt, some dog farmers are seeking international solutions, sending dogs to adoption networks in countries like Canada and the U.S. However, this is only a partial fix amid an overwhelming situation for those involved in the trade. The larger question remains: as a culture evolves away from the acceptance of dog meat, what safety nets can be established for those losing their livelihoods and the dogs caught in the crossfire?
As farmers like Joo and Chan-woo navigate these uncharted waters, their future hangs precariously in the balance, illustrating the need for a comprehensive and humane approach to both their financial wellbeing and the welfare of the dogs. "There is a desperate need for a practical plan," said Joo, as he voiced a collective fear among farmers that the situation could lead some to even more disheartening outcomes by the deadline in 2027.
