About CARE

Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE)

The Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) was founded in 2002. It is the largest animal rights organization in South Korea, with more than 80,000 members and is the only non-governmental organization in the country that actively rescues animals and runs its own shelter. Recently, CARE has opened an adoption center for rescued animals in Seoul. This center is designed to reduce overpopulation and promote the adoption of companion animals. CARE also works with an animal health center to provide medical assistance to animals in low-income families.

The CARE shelter, located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, was designed to prevent lost, stray and abandoned animals from being abused, neglected or traded into the dog meat industry. The shelter is currently housing 300 rescued animals, while actively seeking safe new homes.

As a campaigning organization, CARE continues to lobby the Korean government for improvements to animal welfare legislation. Their efforts have recently seen amendments to the South Korean Animal Protection Act, which now includes much better safeguards for animals and penalties for abuse and cruelty.

CARE regularly runs public awareness and public education campaigns to promote animal welfare knowledge and animal rights issues throughout the country. CARE continues to investigate and report on a wide range of animal-related issues. In 2011, CARE’s undercover investigations exposed millions of pigs being buried alive by the Korean government.

CARE also actively campaigns against South Korea’s dog meat industry by exposing the terrible animal cruelty involved. CARE believes there is no difference between a “meat dog” and a “pet dog.”

CARE also promotes vegetarianism as it is a significant and effective way to decrease animal suffering.