The number of cats and dogs kept as pets in South Korea increased by more than 5% in 2025, the latest census data from the government showed. This development comes on the heels of an absolute national ban on dog meat farming by Feb. 7, 2027.
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said 3.67 million pets were registered in 2025, up 5.3% from a year earlier. But newly registered animals declined 4.9% to some 247,000 over the cited period.
South Korea requires the registration of pet dogs but keeps it optional for pet cats. This policy aims to curb the number of stray animals, especially dogs, many of which end up in the old dog meat farms. The number of stray pets rescued in 2025 was 96,000, down 10.4% from the previous year, according to ministry data.
The ministry also said more than 82% of South Korea's registered dog meat farms have already closed ahead of the complete ban in February. Over 1,200 of the original 1,537 farms have shut down early to comply with the law passed in January 2024, which prohibits breeding, slaughtering, distributing and selling dogs for human consumption.
To encourage dog meat farm proprietors to close shop ahead of the February 2027 deadline, the government has offered up to 600,000 won (about US$439) in compensation per dog, along with low-interest loans and support programs, including job-transition assistance and reemployment counseling. But those who fail to comply after the deadline could face three years in prison. The government estimates at least 20,000 dogs are still kept in the 300 dog meat farms that remain open.
Pet food import rules get more time
As South Korea welcomes more pets into homes, the government has elected to extend implementation of its amended Notice of Import Health Requirements for Pet Food until Dec. 31, 2027.
The move gives pet food exporters and importers more time to comply with new import health requirements. The extension, however, doesn't apply to pet food containing ruminant ingredients, which must still comply with the new requirements.
