As part of HSI Korea’s efforts to end the dog meat industry, 73-year-old Mr. Yang joined the charity’s Models for Change program in South Korea’s Chungcheong province.
As a result of his work with HSI/Korea, Mr. Yang has been able to transition from dog meat farming to producing cabbage and other crops. He plans to transport 200 dogs and puppies destined for slaughter from his farm to Canada and the United States where they can be adopted by loving families.
Dog meat industry closures occur during a time of increasing public and political support for the industry’s demise.According to latest survey results, 87.5% of South Koreans don’t eat dog meat, and 56% support a ban. Last year, First Lady Kim Keon-hee openly called for a ban, and latest opinion surveys show that 56% support a ban.
HSI/Korea is advocating that the South Korean government begin a phase-out program that mirrors HSI’s Models for Change after the government formed a task force on dog meat in December 2021.
After farming dogs for nearly 30 years in Asan-si, Yang now agrees that phasing out this industry would be the best solution for South Korea. Despite being legally registered, his farm has no future, unlike many others in the country. Dog meat farming is something Mr. Yang wants to leave behind.
It was rare for anyone to report violations or criticize dog meat farms in the early years. Mr. Yang said the world, as well as Korean people, is changing as time has passed due to animal groups such as HSI/Korea. As a member of the Dog Meat Task Force, I understand the issues relating to compensation and phase-out. I knew it was a good opportunity to leave the industry now, regardless of the Task Force’s recommendation, since I was considering leaving the industry in the next few years anyway.
“After this, I plan to grow cabbages and share them with the locals. Mr. Yang continued, “HSI will rescue the animals, and I will provide cabbages for the people.”
A nonprofit organization called Models for Change launched in 2015 and works cooperatively with farmers looking to exit the dog meat industry, such as Mr. Yang. In the campaign, farmers are assisted in finding alternative livelihoods that are humane and sustainable.
It is evident that many of these dogs have been traumatized by their experience in the dog meat industry, and we must give them all the love and patience we can to help them recover, said Sangkyung Lee, campaign manager for End Dog Meat at HSI/Korea. As a result, farmers like Mr. Yang are symbols of change in South Korea, because a new generation of animal lovers does not wish that this suffering remains. My Models for Change program demonstrates that there is a desire for change, and that dogs are not just food, but friends.”
Over 2,700 dogs have been rescued since the program began as HSI/Korea has permanently closed 18 dog meat farms. A small number of rescued dogs have been adopted in South Korea, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The dogs on his farm will now have a chance to live a happy life thanks to HSI/Korea. As a result of working with HSI/Korea, I was amazed and enlightened by the way the team interacts with them. They smiled and talked to the dogs kindly, even with their clothes covered in dog poop. I was slightly shocked by this. Having handled dogs for nearly 30 years, I learned that HSI values animals much more than I do. Seeing any of these dogs suffer makes me sad. I feel sorry for them.” I am happy that these dogs will go to a good place.
If you would like to help HSI continue their incredible work saving more dogs from the dog meat trade, you can make a donation here.
