A Farm on the Edge of the Hottest Season

In early July 2022, during the height of Korea’s summer heat, a small illegal dog meat farm in Ansan stood unusually quiet.

Boknal — traditionally known as the hottest days of the year — was approaching. In the past, some believed consuming dog meat during this period would restore strength in extreme heat.

But this particular farm had already been ordered to shut down.

And inside its rusted wire cages, 21 dogs were still there.

Waiting.

With only three days left before Boknal began.

Heat, Rust, and Uncertainty

The dogs lived in metal cages under heavy summer humidity. The air was thick. The ground beneath them was hard and unforgiving.

They had no idea what season it was.

No idea what date.

But they could feel the tension.

They had been left behind after the closure order. Without intervention, they faced the risk of being sold elsewhere before the holiday period.

Daily Visits of Quiet Compassion

While legal procedures moved slowly, one person returned every single day.

Sangkyung Lee from Humane Society International (HSI) came to the farm with food and clean water.

He moved gently between the cages, speaking softly, building trust.

Some of the dogs were too frightened to come forward at first. Others watched with cautious curiosity.

There was one large dog in particular — calm eyes, steady gaze — who seemed to hold onto something fragile but powerful.

Hope.

Sangkyung promised them silently that he would not stop coming back.

Video: From Rusted Cages in Ansan to Freedom Under the Rain — The Day 21 Dogs Stepped Out

On July 13, 2022, under steady rainfall, rescue day arrived.

With only three days remaining before Boknal, teams from HSI and Korean K9 Rescue worked together quickly and carefully.

Volunteers opened each cage one by one.

Each dog was transferred gently into secure transport crates.

The rain soaked clothes. The ground turned muddy. The work was exhausting.

But no one complained.

Because this time, the doors were opening for good.

As the final crate was loaded, Sangkyung allowed himself a small smile — the kind that comes from relief, not celebration.

They would never return to those cages again.

A Journey Across Oceans

Local shelters in South Korea were already overwhelmed. So arrangements were made for all 21 dogs to travel abroad.

Flights were scheduled to the United States and Canada.

There, partner rescue groups would help place them into adoptive homes.

For the first time, these dogs would experience:

Soft beds.

Open spaces.

Hands that reach toward them without fear.

A Changing Society

The story also reflects something larger.

Recent surveys show that nearly 84% of South Koreans no longer consume dog meat, and public support for ending the trade continues to grow.

Cultural shifts take time.

But they do happen.

And with every rescue, momentum builds.

More Than One Farm

This video is not only about 21 dogs.

It’s about the quiet persistence of people who return daily with water and food.

It’s about rescue teams who work in the rain without asking for recognition.

It’s about doors opening three days before it might have been too late.

Most of all, it’s about the belief that change is possible — not just for one group of animals, but for an entire industry.

If this story moved you, consider watching the full journey in the video above — and supporting organizations working to ensure that no dog waits in a rusted cage again.