Ending the dog and cat meat trade

Sickening statistics

Many people consider dogs and cats to be loyal companions, but they are still eaten in some parts of Asia.

20 million

dogs

are killed for human consumption each year in Asia

10 million

cats

are killed each year for human consumption across Asia

1000+

dogs

can be crammed onto a single trader’s truck

Take a look inside the issue

Transported for days—enduring trauma, dehydration, starvation, broken limbs, shock and disease—or cowering in the corner of a filthy slaughterhouse, awaiting their turn to die, these animals endure horrific suffering.

Cats at a slaughterhouse in Yulin, China

AP Images

A cat caught up in the cat meat trade in Yulin, China.

The problem

Traders snatch dogs and cats from the streets, steal pets from their homes and buy unwanted animals from their owners. The terrified animals are crammed together onto the backs of trucks and driven across the country. If they survive the journey, they face agonizing deaths through bludgeoning, blowtorching, drowning or hanging.

Jean Chung/For HSI

Vaccinating a dog to prevent the spread of disease.

Health risks

The World Health Organization warns that the dog meat trade poses human health risks from trichinellosis, cholera and rabies. Even if only a small percentage of people consume dog meat, the the mass movement of dogs of unknown disease status, unsanitary conditions at slaughterhouses and markets, and decreased herd immunity when vaccinated dogs are removed from their communities put millions more in danger.

Humane World for Animals

Dog meat for sale in Yulin, China.

Seasonal, regional

Across Asia, most people don’t eat dogs, but consumption is higher in certain regions and at certain times of year. In South Korea, more dog meat is eaten during Bok Nal (the three hottest days of summer) in the mistaken belief that it offers health benefits. In China, dog meat is more popular in provinces such as Guangdong, Yunnan, Guangxi (where the infamous Yulin dog meat “festival” takes place), Jilin and Liaoning.

Campaigning against the dog meat trade in South Korea

Humane World for Animals

South Korea dog meat industry ban petition hand-in.

Making progress

The public is increasingly speaking out against this cruelty. Dog meat bans exist in—among others—Hong Kong; Taiwan; Thailand; the Philippines; 80+ cities, provinces and regencies across Indonesia and in some cities in mainland China and Cambodia. In January 2024, the South Korean government passed a landmark law banning the dog meat industry, which will see a complete phase out of the industry by 2027.

Our work around the world

We are making significant progress in our campaign to end the dog meat trade in five Asian countries that drive the market: South Korea, Indonesia, China, Viet Nam and India. Our work aims to amplify local and political opposition to the trade, which reduces demand and production while strengthening and enforcing regulations to cut the supply chain.

Rescuing a dog from a dog meat farm in South Korea

Closing South Korea's dog meat farms

South Korea passed legislation banning the dog meat industry by 2027. Until then, Humane World for Animals will work to increase public support for the ban and help the animals still trapped in this cruel industry.

Cats rescued from the Viet Nam cat meat trade

Ending Viet Nam's dog and cat meat trade

Viet Nam is somewhat unique in Asia, with relatively widespread consumption of dog and cat meat. We aim to reduce the dog and cat meat trade in two target provinces, Thai Nguyen and Dong Nai.

Dogs caught up in the dog meat trade in Indonesia

Cruel and dangerous dog and cat meat trade in Indonesia

Humane World for Animals is a founding member of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia coalition. We have already achieved 80+ local dog and cat meat bans across Indonesia, and are now campaigning for a national ban.

Dogs awaiting slaughter at the Yulin dog meat festival in China

Ending the dog and cat meat trade in China

Eating dog and cat meat is not widespread in China, despite its infamous, annual Yulin "festival." Vshine serves as Humane World’s official partner there, working tirelessly to end the trade in China with our support.

Ending the dog meat trade in India

Despite it being illegal, thousands of dogs are killed each year for the dog meat trade in India. We are particularly focused on campaigning in Nagaland, where there is increasing support for a dog meat ban.