South Korea’s pet population grows as dog meat ban nears

South Korea – South Korea’s registered pet population rose 5.3% to 3.676 million in 2025 as the country moves towards a full ban on dog meat production and introduces new requirements for imported pet food.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) said the number of newly registered pets fell 4.9% to about 247,000 during the year. 

Pet dog registration is mandatory in South Korea, while cat registration remains voluntary.

The number of lost and abandoned animals rescued also declined, falling 10.4% to 96,000 in 2025. 

MAFRA has linked its animal registration system to efforts to improve pet management and reduce the number of stray animals.

The growth in registered pets comes as South Korea prepares to fully end dog meat production. The Special Act on the Termination of Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Consumption took effect in August 2024, with the provisions prohibiting the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for human consumption scheduled to take effect on 7 February 2027.

As of May 2026, 1,265 of the country’s 1,537 registered dog-breeding farms had closed, representing about 82% of the total. 

A further 272 farms remained in operation. 

The government is carrying out inspections and providing support to encourage the remaining businesses to close or transition into other activities.

MAFRA has offered financial and business-transition support to operators, while farms that continue prohibited activities after the ban takes effect will face penalties under the Special Act.

Pet food import requirements extended

South Korea has also extended the transition period for new pet food import health requirements to 31 December 2027.

The amendment gives pet food exporters and importers additional time to comply with requirements covering health certification and approval of manufacturing facilities. 

During the grace period, qualifying products can continue to use existing health certificates, while manufacturing facilities registered with the exporting country can continue exporting without Korean facility approval.

The extension does not apply to pet food containing ruminant ingredients, which must comply with the new import health requirements. 

The new system requires pet food manufacturing facilities to undergo inspection by the exporting country’s authorities, with the results submitted to South Korean veterinary authorities for approval.

The combination of a growing registered pet population and changes to the country’s animal and pet-food regulations points to a changing operating environment for South Korea’s pet-care and pet-nutrition sectors.

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