Another year has gone by, and here we are already in February of a new year; 2020, the year of the white rat (“Kyung Ja Nyeon” (경자년) in Korean.) Let’s look back and review 2019.

Rescue Review

In 2019, we undertook a number of rescues—some of them involving a significant number of animals—with the help of our donors and volunteers, whether discovered through our own investigations or reported to us by members of the public.

• January: 22 dogs abandoned under a bridge in Guri City, Gyeonggi Province
• February: 18 dogs at a slaughterhouse in the town of Beolgyo in Bosung County, South Jeolla Province
• April: 15 dogs trapped in the Goseong wildfires in Gangwon Province
• May: 64 dogs at a slaughterhouse in Yangsan City, southern Gyeongsang Province 
• June: 12 dogs at a slaughterhouse in Hwasung City, Gyeonggi Province
• July: 79 dogs at a slaughterhouse in Cheonan City, southern Chungcheong Province
• October
  • 2 physically abused dogs at a gas station in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province
  • A pregnant white Jindo dog with a tight collar digging into her neck at Eurwangni Beach, Incheon City
• November
  • A mother and her 4 puppies from a hole in the ground in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province
  • A white Jindo dog roaming the streets with a broken leg in Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province
• December
  • 65 dogs and goats at a slaughterhouse in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province 
  • 4 dogs (and shutting down a slaughterhouse) in the town of Beolgyo in Bosung County, South Jeolla Province

Some of these animals have already been adopted. For the others that remain in our care, we are continuing with the task of sheltering them, treating them where necessary, and getting them adopted.

Campaign Review

In addition, we have campaigned and held press conferences to continue push for policy enforcement and to shed light on the ongoing animal rights issues in South Korea.

• April: Street campaign, “Dog Slaughterhouse Cages on the Streets”
• May: Press conference, “Refugee Status for Abused Animals”
• June: Documentary preview, “Asian Dog Meat Industry Report”
• July: Press conference, “National Assembly and Government’s Neglect of Cruel Dog Slaughter Issues”
• September: Press conference, “African Swine Fever Virus Control Sites Exposed” 
• October: 
  • Press conference, “World Farm Animal Day: How Vegetarianism Can Save Lives” 
  • Proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) for legislation that makes the 2-meter leash a “recommendation” rather than an “obligation” 
• December: 
  • Disclosure of Incheon Grand Park’s zoo animals sold to slaughterhouses for 6,000 Korean Won per animal 
  • Submission of official documents to MAFRA regarding stray animal cadavers used in dog food production in factories in South Chungcheong Province

Acievement Review

Through ongoing efforts, CARE was able to achieve a variety of results, including the following:

• Educating the public about the importance of properly rescuing animals from disaster sites
• Triggering a public discussion on the preparation of animal shelters following the investigations and large scale rescues in Yangsan and Cheonan
• Highlighting a municipality’s role and responsibility for animal protection following the demolition of the dog slaughterhouse in Cheonan
• Monitoring culling procedures following an epidemic outbreak among livestock
• Starting an open discussion on the sale of exhibition animals to slaughterhouses 
• Urging a thorough inspection of animal shelters providing the cadavers of euthanized animals to dog food manufacturers
• Pressing charges against perpetrators with numerous animal abuse cases
• Proving to the South Korean judiciary that the donations we receive are used legitimately for the rescuing, treating, and sheltering of animals

All of the above were achieved with the ongoing support of our generous donors, the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, and those others who, while unable to contribute directly, encourage us and stand with us on social media.

We sincerely thank you all!

“Kyung Ja Nyeon” (Chinese characters: 庚子年) means, “the year of the white rat” in Korean. Contrary to human prejudice against rats, white rats represent an outgoing, active, energetic, and clever spirit.

In 2020, we will strive to become everything that the white rat represents in our activism efforts.