South Korea's Dog Meat Ban

South Korea has implemented a significant change in its laws, banning the sale of dog meat for consumption. This new legislation, which came into effect in 2024, gives dog meat farmers until February 2027 to close their businesses and sell their remaining animals.

However, this transition is not without its challenges. There are approximately 500,000 dogs currently on farms across the country, and finding new homes for all of them is proving to be a difficult task. Many of these dogs are large breeds, which are less popular as pets in South Korea's urban areas where people often live in small apartments.

Farmers are also facing significant hardships. Many have invested their life savings into their farms and are now struggling to find alternative sources of income. Some are calling for an extension of the grace period to allow for a more gradual transition.

Animal rights groups and authorities are grappling with the logistics of rescuing and rehoming the remaining dogs. There are concerns that if suitable homes cannot be found, some dogs may face euthanasia, which would be a tragic outcome for animals that were meant to be saved by this ban.