What We Do

Our Mission

DMT DRSG is a UK registered charity dedicated to rescuing dachshunds and dachshund crosses from the horrific conditions of the dog meat trade and breeding facilities in China and South Korea. We work tirelessly to give these vulnerable dogs a second chance at life, bringing them to loving forever homes across the United Kingdom.

Since our founding, we have rescued over 300 dogs from unimaginable suffering, and we remain committed to our motto:

#NoDachshundLeftBehind

The Reality of the Dog Meat Trade

A Global Crisis

The dog meat trade across Asia remains one of the most pressing animal welfare issues of our time. An estimated 30 million dogs are killed annually for human consumption worldwide, with the majority slaughtered in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The numbers are staggering:

Approximately 10 million dogs are killed each year in China
Up to one million dogs have been killed annually in South Korea (though a ban comes into effect in 2027)
Over one million dogs are slaughtered in Indonesia each year
Around three million dogs perish in Cambodia

The Yulin Festival

Perhaps the most notorious example is the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in Guangxi, China. Held annually since 2010 over a 10-day period in June, this event sees more than 10,000 dogs slaughtered and consumed. What many don’t realise is that this is not an ancient tradition but a modern commercial venture created by traders to boost flagging dog meat sales.

Importantly, surveys show that 87.5% of Yulin residents never or rarely consume dog or cat meat, and 88% say a ban would have no impact on their lives. The narrative that this is deeply rooted in Chinese culture is simply false.

Where Do These Dogs Come From?

The brutal truth is that most dogs in the meat trade are:

Stolen pets snatched from streets and gardens
Stray dogs caught using catch poles, poisoned darts, or baited traps
Breeding farm dogs kept in horrific conditions specifically for slaughter
Trafficked animals transported illegally across borders in cramped, filthy conditions

Many dogs arrive at markets and slaughterhouses still wearing collars, heartbreaking evidence of their former lives as beloved family pets.

The Horror of Puppy Farms

Targeted by Puppy Mills

Due to their immense popularity as pets – both in Asia and internationally – dachshunds are extensively bred in puppy mills across China and South Korea. Their small size, distinctive appearance, and desirable temperament make them highly profitable for commercial breeders.

However, this popularity has a dark side:

Female dachshunds are forced into continuous breeding cycles to meet demand
When the pet market becomes saturated, prices drop and breeders look to cut losses
Individual dogs who can’t breed, have health complications, or produce smaller litters become “worthless”
Rather than providing retirement care, breeders callously discard these dogs

From Pet Trade to Meat Trade

The most heartbreaking reality is what happens to these breeding dachshunds when they’re no longer profitable:

Thrown out: Simply abandoned to die on the streets or in rural areas
Sold for meat: Directly transferred from puppy mills into the dog meat trade as a disposal method
No distinction: Whether originally bred for pets or meat, all dogs are viewed as commodities with no individual worth once unprofitable

This creates a horrific pipeline where a dachshund breeding for years to supply the pet market can end her life in a slaughterhouse, simply because she couldn’t produce another litter.

They Deserve Better

These small dogs with enormous personalities and unwavering loyalty deserve so much better. Their affectionate nature and zest for life make them wonderful companions, yet thousands suffer in cages – producing puppies for the pet trade or awaiting slaughter – never knowing the joy they could bring to a loving family.

At DMTDRSG, we believe no dachshund should be left behind – whether they were bred for pets or meat, every single one deserves rescue, rehabilitation, and a loving forever home.

What about Kill Shelters?

A number of our dogs in South Korea are rescued from “Kill shelters” but what are these exactly? Kill shelters (public animal shelters) are government-run facilities that house stray or abandoned animals for 10 days before they may be euthanised if not adopted or reclaimed. Due to limited funding, overcrowding, and low adoption rates, many animals are euthanised each year, often in poor conditions that have sparked public criticism. The system aims to control stray populations but faces backlash for prioritising killing over prevention, education, and humane treatment. In response, animal welfare groups and some local governments are promoting no-kill shelters, adoption campaigns, and stronger animal protection policies.

Our rescue partners are regularly checking the euthanasia lists in these shelters and trying to support as many dogs as they can. Including a number of our dachshunds!

Progress and Hope

Legislative Victories

There is reason for hope. In January 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly passed historic legislation banning the dog meat industry. When the law takes full effect in 2027, the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for human consumption will be illegal, with penalties of up to three years in prison.

This landmark achievement came after years of campaigning by animal welfare organisations and reflects changing attitudes, particularly among younger South Koreans. Surveys show that 87.5% of South Koreans don’t eat dog meat and 56% support a ban.

Changing Attitudes

Across Asia, attitudes are shifting:

Taiwan became the first Asian country to ban dog meat consumption in 2017
Dog meat bans now exist in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines
88 cities and jurisdictions across Indonesia have passed dog meat-free legislation
Public opposition to the trade is growing, especially among younger generations

The Fight Continues

Despite this progress, millions of dogs still suffer. China remains the world’s largest dog meat market, and enforcement of existing regulations is weak. The annual Yulin festival continues, though on a smaller scale.

This is why our work remains critically important. Every dog we rescue is a life saved, a family completed, and a voice added to the global movement demanding an end to this cruelty.

Join Our Mission

The dogs we rescue have survived unimaginable horrors, but with your support, we can continue to give them the happy endings they deserve. Every donation, every adoption, and every share of our message helps us save more lives.

Together, we can work toward a world where no dog suffers for human consumption.

#NoDachshundLeftBehind