South Korea Closes 87% of Dog Meat Farms, but 7,600 Dogs Still Remain
South Korea is approaching a historic turning point in animal welfare. Nearly nine out of ten registered dog meat breeding farms have closed as the country prepares to end the industry in February 2027. New government figures show that 1,339 farms have already shut down, leaving 198 still to close. Yet approximately 7,600 dogs remain, raising an urgent question: what will happen to these animals as the final deadline approaches? Mafra
A Major Change in South Korea
For decades, dogs have occupied a complicated position in South Korean society. While millions of families keep dogs as companions, a separate industry has continued breeding and raising animals for human consumption.That industry is now approaching its legally mandated end.
On 11 October 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that 87% of the country’s registered dog meat breeding farms had closed. According to the ministry, 1,339 of the original 1,537 farms had completed closure procedures by 21 September. The figures are considerably better than the government’s original timetable, which anticipated 1,030 closures by that stage. Officials attribute the faster progress partly to financial incentives encouraging farmers to leave the industry early, alongside inspections conducted during the summer.
From 468,000 Dogs to 7,600
The reduction in the number of dogs registered at breeding farms is even more striking. When operators submitted their closure plans in August 2024, they reported approximately 468,000 dogs. The latest government figures indicate that around 7,600 remain in the registered farming sector. That represents a reduction of approximately 460,400 animals over just over two years. However, the figures require careful interpretation. A reduction in the number of dogs on farms does not mean that all those animals were rescued or rehomed.
The ministry’s announcement records changes in the industry’s population but does not provide a complete account of what happened to every dog that disappeared from the farming statistics. For animal-welfare organisations, that distinction remains important. Closing a farm and securing a safe future for its animals are two separate challenges.
The February 2027 Deadline
South Korea’s National Assembly passed legislation to end the dog meat industry in January 2024. The law entered into force in August that year, beginning a transition period during which businesses could close or change their activities. From 7 February 2027, breeding, raising, slaughtering, distributing and selling dogs for human consumption will be prohibited.
The legislation targets the commercial dog meat industry rather than making the individual act of eating dog meat a separate criminal offence. To encourage early compliance, the government established a system of financial support for farmers who close their businesses. Those leaving earlier receive higher payments than operators who wait until the final stages of the transition. The programme is intended to help dismantle the industry before the legal prohibition becomes fully enforceable.
More Than 70 Dogs Rescued in Gangjin
While the government manages the industry’s closure, animal-protection organisations have continued rescuing dogs from individual farms. On 29 September, Humane World for Animals completed a major rescue operation at a farm in Gangjin, South Korea. More than 70 dogs were removed from the property, including puppies and animals of different breeds and sizes.
According to the organisation, the farm had previously housed as many as 1,000 dogs. Many of its cages were already empty when rescuers arrived. Some of the remaining animals were wearing collars, raising questions about whether they had originally been household pets. The first group departed South Korea on 30 September for rehabilitation and eventual adoption programmes in the United States and Canada.
Humane World for Animals described the operation as its final large-scale dog meat farm rescue in the country before the February deadline. Since beginning its South Korean programme in 2015, the organisation says it has rescued nearly 3,000 dogs from the industry.
What Happens to the Remaining Dogs?
With fewer than four months remaining, the South Korean government is preparing additional inspections. During November and December, authorities plan to examine dog breeding farms across the country. Inspectors will check whether businesses that have officially closed have resumed breeding and whether farms still operating are following their closure commitments. Particular attention will be paid to preventing operators from increasing their dog populations. The ministry has also announced plans for managing animals that remain after farms close.
Officials intend to develop guidance for local authorities, taking account of individual dogs’ breeds, sizes, ages and ability to socialise. These considerations matter because dogs raised in commercial facilities may require veterinary care, behavioural support and suitable accommodation before they can enter ordinary homes. The detailed protection arrangements are still being developed in consultation with relevant organisations.
The Final Challenge
South Korea’s progress represents a major change in national animal-welfare policy. The closure of 87% of registered farms demonstrates that the transition is advancing faster than originally expected. But the final months will test whether the remaining businesses can close without leaving thousands of animals in uncertain circumstances. Enforcement will also matter after February 2027. Authorities will need to prevent illegal operations from replacing the businesses that have officially disappeared.
For the international animal-welfare community, South Korea offers an important example of how an established commercial industry can be phased out through legislation, financial support and enforcement. The numbers tell a story of substantial progress. The future of the remaining 7,600 dogs will help determine how successfully that transition is completed.
Primary Sources
1. South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Official government announcement, published 11 October 2026.
Title: 개 사육 농장 87% 폐업, 개 식용 종식, 마무리 단계로.
The announcement provides the latest farm closure figures, remaining dog population, inspection plans and February 2027 deadline.
Read the original Korean government announcement
2. Ministry of Agriculture — English-language background
Official press release, 2 January 2026.
Title: 78% of Dog Breeding Farms Closed Down Their Business as of 21 December 2025.
This document explains the legislation, transition periods and earlier closure figures.
Download the official English-language government report
3. Humane World for Animals — Gangjin Rescue
Firsthand documentation of the September 2026 rescue operation, including dated updates from 15, 28, 29 and 30 September.
Gangjin dog meat farm rescue — Official report
4. Humane World for Animals — International Press Release
Published 30 September 2026.
Documents the rescue of more than 70 dogs and provides background on the organisation’s work in South Korea.
