South Korea’s impending ban on the dog meat trade, which starts in 2027, is prompting questions about what happens to dogs previously bred and kept for human consumption. Reports describe the closing of dog meat farms ahead of the ban, including declining activity and abandoned facilities. An example highlighted by one outlet shows a deserted slaughterhouse area in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, with remnants of an earlier dog processing operation. Another source focuses on the lack of clear pathways for the animals after farm closures, pointing to official data showing limited numbers of adoptions or transfers to shelters. As farmers shut down and compensation is offered, animal welfare groups argue that many dogs may have been slaughtered before the ban takes effect, citing concerns about past practices and the difficulty of tracking animals once operations end. The overall situation leaves the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands of dogs uncertain, with differing explanations ranging from low recorded rehoming and transfers to potential slaughter prior to regulation.