Robin, the last dog rescued from a meat farm, hesitates to leave his kennel, the scars of his past reflecting the deep impact of his former life.

Robin Was the Last to Be Freed—But His New Life Is Just Beginning

Robin was the final soul to step out of a cage—one of 50 dogs rescued from a brutal dog meat farm and slaughterhouse in Yongin, South Korea. He didn’t know it then, but the moment his paws touched the earth outside that cage, his entire destiny shifted.

The conditions these innocent dogs endured were heartbreaking—locked away in cold, metal cages with no food, no water, and no hope. For many, it was the only life they had ever known.

But hope arrived just in time.

Working hand-in-hand with local animal rights advocates, international groups stepped in to prevent these dogs from being euthanized after the authorities shut down the facility. This joint effort between Humane Society International/Korea, LIFE, Korean K9 Rescue, and the Yongin Animal Care Association gave each of the 50 dogs something they had never known: a second chance.

South Korea has been making steady progress in the fight against the dog meat trade. In recent years, the infamous Taepyeong dog slaughterhouse closed its doors, followed by the Gupo market in Busan. In a powerful step forward, Seoul’s mayor declared the capital a “dog slaughter-free” city in 2020. And in a major legal win, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that killing dogs via electrocution—a common practice in the industry—violates the country’s Animal Protection Act.

That ruling may well reshape the future of the trade altogether.

As for Robin, he represents something bigger than just one rescue. He symbolizes resilience. Hope. And the belief that every dog, no matter their past, deserves love and safety.

Robin is no longer a number in a cage. He’s free. He’s safe. And he’s finally home in a world that sees his worth.