Simon Cowell's £25,000 Donation Aids Closure of Dog Meat Farm in South Korea

Cowell's donation was part of HSI’s broader campaign against dog meat farming in the region, which had already seen the closure of 12 farms and the rescue of nearly 1,400 dogs by September 2018. Following Cowell's contribution, HSI successfully closed its 13th farm, assisting the animals in finding shelter care and eventual adoption abroad, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Canada. Among them were approximately 90 puppies born shortly before the rescue.

Cowell had previously spoken out against the dog meat industry during an interview on Good Morning Britain in 2017, expressing his dismay at the treatment of animals on meat farms. His 2018 donation came as HSI was preparing another rescue operation, providing vital support for their efforts. Claire Bass, then executive director of HSI UK, praised Cowell's generosity, stating it significantly bolstered their initiatives to combat the dog meat trade.

The South Korean farm had been operational for 14 years before its owner sought assistance from HSI to exit the industry, intending to switch to cultivating medicinal herbs instead. Kitty Block, president of HSI, noted that the dogs were kept in cramped cages with iron bars, which were uncomfortable, especially during the cold winters.

The rescue team discovered several breeds, including golden retrievers and Great Danes, many of which were underweight or suffering from medical issues. One of the rescued dogs, a Belgian Malinois named Jean Claude, was notably weak and craved human affection, illustrating the emotional toll of their confinement. Another dog, a shar-pei named Quentin, was nearly blind due to a chronic untreated eye infection.

After the farm closure, HSI began relocating the dogs to various shelters across North America and Europe. Initially anticipating that most animals would go to Canada, updates later identified additional destinations including the U.S. and the Netherlands. As caretakers began nurturing the rescued animals, they became more responsive, displaying positive behavioral changes, such as wagging tails and vocalizations.

At the time of the rescue, HSI estimated that around 2.5 million dogs were raised for meat on thousands of farms in South Korea; however, public sentiment was shifting against the trade. A July 2018 petition to end the practice had garnered over 200,000 signatures, prompting the government to contemplate changes in the legal status of dogs within the livestock definition.