2018 Toronto Protest against Korea’s Dog and Cat Meat Trade (c) Michael Zender
Mission
Each year in Korea, millions of dogs are slaughtered to make dog meat soup. Many dogs are brutally tortured before they are slaughtered. This is due to the belief among some Koreans that the more the dog suffers, the more tasty the meat. Most dogs are warehoused in tiny cages at dog meat farms, with only human food waste to eat, no water and no shelter from the elements.
Korea is the only country in the world that commercially farms dogs for food. There is no legislation regulating the Korean dog meat trade, so there are no standards for safety or humane treatment. The dog meat trade in Korea is a legislative gray area and political landmine that nobody in power wants to address.
Free Korean Dogs leading a protest against the dog meat trade in front of Moran dog meat market in Korea.
Our goal is to end the Korean dog meat trade. Our international rescue and adoption program saves hundreds of dogs each year from the Korean dog meat trade. We also promote public awareness to create a cultural shift from cruelty to compassion for dogs in Korea. We are an international community of volunteers and animal welfare activists. We are the voice of the voiceless dogs of Korea.
Free Korean dogs was founded on July 1st in 2015. We are a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization (Corporation #942567-5). Our head office is located in Toronto, Canada.
Method
We achieve our mission through a simple three-part strategy that drives our day-to-day operations:
Rescue
We negotiate with dog meat farmers to close their operation and assist with the transition to a more humane livelihood. Then we remove the remaining dogs from the dog meat farm and board them in our rescue shelter. Finally, we return to the dog meat farm and destroy the cages to ensure that no more dogs will ever suffer the same fate as those who came before.
Adoption
Dogs boarded at our shelter are made available for domestic and international adoption. Many Koreans prefer smaller breeds as companion animals, larger breeds such as Dosa and Jindo are considered “meat dogs” not suitable as pets. Those dogs not adopted within Korea are sent to Canada, where they are adopted into their forever homes.
Awareness
With the volume of dogs slaughtered each year in Korea, rescue and adoption alone are not the answer. For real change to take place in Korea, public awareness and social change are critical. The dogs we rescue become ambassadors for those left behind. We also publish documentary films, blog articles and a barrage of social media content to build public awareness, foster discussion and stimulate change.
Our Team
EK Park
Founder and Executive Director
EK Park is the founder of Free Korean Dogs. Born in South Korea and based in Toronto, Canada, EK is a photographer, videographer, and animal lover.
Although she grew up on a farm in the Korean countryside, it wasn’t until she returned many years later that she truly realized the cruelty that Korean dogs endure as a result of the dog meat industry. That’s when she realized that she must use all available means to give Korean dogs the love they deserve. Read EK’s story »
William Yang
Board of Directors
With 22 years of work experience in the financial industry, William’s in-depth knowledge in business operation, finances & leadership complements well with the progress and momentum Free Korean Dogs has built in the last two years. William was inspired by Free Korean Dogs and its mission to bring public awareness to animal welfare. In 2017, he participated as a volunteer in numerous Free Korean Dogs events, and adopted a dog – WooJoo in August 2017! He is active in helping Free Korean Dogs to find qualified foster homes & flight volunteers to facilitate the adoption process.
Amélie Arteta
Board of Directors
Amelie has been an animal love her whole life according to her mother, “Amelie would rescue all the animals until our garden is fully occupied!” She grew up in France and moved to England to purse her degree in Business Management. In 2013, Amelie moved to Toronto where she volunteered for various local shelters and non-profit organization. She met EK thought volunteering at Toronto Street Cats, building shelters for feral cats; and since then, Amelie has been a strong supporter for Free Korean Dogs.
Sara Liao
Adoption Facilitator, Toronto
Sara has always been active member the non-profit community, both professionally and in volunteer roles. She is also a lifelong animal lover and known to always stop to pet stray dogs and cats during her travels. Her two passions match well in her role in helping dogs find their forever homes. Along with dogs, Sara is a lover of pigs, cows, and goats, and believes in the words of her favorite activists, “be kind to all kinds”.
Raymond Wong
Adoption Facilitator, Vancouver
Raymond has a vast range of knowledge of procedural organizational policies after working many years in the finance industry. As a lifelong animal lover, he connected with Free Korean Dogs with the desire to utilize his professional experiences towards his passion of helping animals. He is currently active in facilitating the transportation of our adopted dogs to their forever homes.
Join Us
Want to help us stop the suffering of dogs in Korea and end the Korean dog meat industry? Here’s how you can get involved right now:
- Adopt a dog rescued from the Korean dog meat trade.
- Donate today to support our adoption, awareness and community building efforts.
- Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to track our progress.
- Contact us with any questions or to learn more.
Help us end the needless torture and suffering of dogs in Korea. Together we will end the Korean dog meat trade.
