The South Korean government passed a bill to prohibit the consumption of dog meat in January 2024, with full implementation expected by February 2027. While many support this policy as a milestone for animal rights, it presents a crisis for hundreds of dog farms and over 500,000 unadopted dogs.

Since the bill's passage, many dog farmers have been facing financial collapse and psychological stress, with some even considering euthanasia for their dogs. The Ministry of Agriculture indicates that local governments will take over the handling of unadopted dogs, but progress has been slow.

Most of the unadopted dogs are considered "dangerous breeds" and require special permits for ownership, complicating the adoption process. Welfare organizations note that rescue shelters are already at capacity.

The government allocates around 6 billion won annually for the expansion of shelters and compensation for farmers, but these funds are deemed inadequate. Experts stress the need for a comprehensive mechanism to ensure the welfare of both dogs and farmers.