South Korea has one of the worst reputations when it comes to animal rights. One South Korean man is trying to change that.

Being an animal in South Korea is tough.

An estimated two million dogs are killed annually due to dog-meat demands.

The country is one of a handful in Asia (China, Vietnam, and the Philippines being the others) that still eat dog.

Stray and lost dogs are often picked up and sold to meat markets. Not to mention the countless other animals in the country that are used for cosmetic or laboratory testing.

However, one South Korean man literally spends his life trying to save as many animals as he can.

Located just southwest of Seoul, Asan Animal Shelter is a no-kill facility that provides refuge for stray, abandoned and abused dogs and cats.

Owned by Mr. Park, the shelter is assisted by volunteers who work to rehabilitate animals and find them homes before it’s too late.

For more information on adoptable animals from this shelter, please visit Animal Rescue Korea website or their facebook page.

Also check out the article A Dog’s Last Hope in Korea, a photo essay about the shelter by photographer Brent Sheffield.

Information about the dog meat trade in Korea and how you can help can be found at the following sites:

Animal Welfare Institute

Korea Animal Rights Advocates

International Aid for Korean Animals

Animal Cruelty Worldwide – Korea

35.907757 127.766922