Timeline of our Activities and Achievements
FOUR PAWS is committed to bringing an end to the cruel dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia
Every year, millions of dogs and cats are killed for their meat, making the trade arguably one of the most severe companion animal welfare issues in Asia.
FOUR PAWS is committed to bringing an end to the cruel dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia through government collaboration, supporting local stray animal care programs, rescues, and bringing awareness to the trade.
Our Journey to End the Dog and Cat Meat Trade in Southeast Asia
First Companion Animals Technical Working Group event held in Vietnam
Half a year since FOUR PAWS joined the Vietnam One Health Partnership for Zoonoses Control (OHP), the Companion Animals Technical Working Group (CAWG), in which FOUR PAWS is the permanent international development partner, held its first event on 26th January, in Hanoi, Vietnam. The working group will be a forum to discuss, promote and implement activities to improve the welfare of companion animals, including the risks associated with the dog and cat meat trade.
FOUR PAWS co-hosts second Animal Welfare Conference in Indonesia
On December 7th 2023, FOUR PAWS, alongside the Jakarta Animal Aid Network, hosted the second annual Animal Welfare Conference in Bogor, Indonesia. Key topics included local and international policy on animal welfare, the dog and cat meat trade and animal shelter management. The event was well attended by key scientific stakeholders and provided an opportunity for participants to collaborate to improve the welfare of animals across the country.
FOUR PAWS closes dog meat restaurant in Hoi An
Two years on from signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Hoi An’s People Committee, FOUR PAWS has closed one of the city’s last remaining dog meat restaurant.
Every year, the meat from more than 350 dogs was consumed at the restaurant. As the animals were not slaughtered on site, no dogs were at the premises when we facilitated the closure today. However, it was an eerie feeling to stand in a place known to be the final destination of so many dogs. Together with the owner, who was willing to move away from this horrible trade, we took down the sign of the restaurant and closed it for good.
Ban on dog meat in Indonesia
To date, 27 regencies and cities in Indonesia have signed on to ban the dog meat trade! Most recent to join the fight against the dog meat trade: Rembang Regency (Central Java), Jombang Regency (East Java), and Sumedang Regency, Tasikmalaya City, Banjar City and Cirebon City in West Java - the first to issue bans in the area. Each win brings us one step closer to ending this this cruel trade in Southeast Asia. Support our work to end the trade.
Run for Millions closes: 16,462 people run 2.6 million km!
In an effort to raise awareness about the dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam, nearly 17,000 supporters ran the equivalent of sixty-six times around the world. The ‘Run for Millions’ launched in April and aimed to show the Vietnamese government that the country’s citizens want more action and stronger law enforcement to phase out the dog and cat meat trade.
2 million petition signatures
Two million people from across the world have signed our petition to end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia. This major milestone illustrates the global support we have gained since 2019, when we first launched the petition. Thank you for demanding an end to this brutal practice, specifically in our regions of focus, where we will continue to push for change: Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. Read the full story here.
May 2023
FOUR PAWS becomes the first animal welfare organization to join the One Health Partnership Framework for Zoonoses Control in Vietnam. The Vietnam government and FOUR PAWS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and established a new working group under the partnership, that specifically considers One Health and welfare issues in relation to companion animals.
April 2023
FOUR PAWS launched the virtual Run for Millions to petition the government of Vietnam to end the dog and cat meat trade. Beginning 27th April, people living in Vietnam can run or walk distances of 42km, 60km, 100km, 150km, 200km cumulatively until the run closes in October.
March 2023: Jakarta Bans Dog Meat Trade
In a historic, watershed moment, FOUR PAWS, Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) – along with A-list Hollywood actors – are celebrating the news that the capital city of Jakarta has introduced a ban on the dog and cat meat trade. This is a major victory in the campaign to end this cruel, brutal trade in Southeast Asia.
February 2023: Open Letter sent to authorities in Vietnam after confiscation of four tons of cat meat
When FOUR PAWS learned of the confiscation of four tons of cat meat and 480 live cats from an establishment in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, we immediately reached out to the relevant authorities. This amount of meat equates to the death of roughly 2000 cats! Deeply concerned and outraged by this tragedy, we urged the authorities to take swift action to end the dog and cat meat trade, and offered our support. This cruel trade not only undermines Vietnam’s efforts to eradicate rabies by 2030, but it also poses a threat to public health, undermines animal welfare, and negatively impacts the country’s reputation. Read the open letter here.
January 2023: Petition signatures reaches 1.8M
Thanks to our supporters, our #ProtectMillions petition has now exceeded 1.8 million signatures. Help us reach our goal of 2 million signatures by the end of 2023 by signing and sharing our petition to end the dog and cat meat trade.
December 2022: FOUR PAWS United Against Rabies
FOUR PAWS joined the ‘United Against Rabies Forum’ (UAR) as part of our continued efforts to eliminate rabies. There is well-documented evidence of rabies-positive dogs being traded and slaughtered for human consumption in public markets, slaughterhouses, and even restaurants in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, with up to 20% of dogs tested being positive for rabies. By joining the UAR forum we hope to achieve further cooperation, knowledge, and learnings with professionals from around the world, sharing those solutions with communities still suffering from this preventable disease.
December 2022: 9 slaughterhouse survivors relocated to US
In February 2021, FOUR PAWS supported the Cambodian authorities with the interception of 61 dogs headed to a slaughterhouse. Our devoted team have housed, fed, and cared for these survivors since their rescue. While many of the 61 dogs found loving homes locally, several were still searching for their perfect families. Nine of these dogs made a big trip in time for the holidays to start happy lives with new families in the US.
November 2022: 13,500 international supporters send online postcards to Ministry of Tourism of Vietnam
Launched on World Responsible Tourism Day, this online action enabled supporters to send a digital postcard to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam to express their concerns and press for an end to the dog and cat meat trade. According to a recent study, 88% of Vietnamese citizens support a ban against this horrible trade happening in their own country.
November 2022: DCMT reporting tool launches in two provinces in Vietnam
As the trade is operating all over the region, we need more eyes and ears on the ground to help us locate cases of animals being stolen, trafficked or killed. That is why we have launched a tool with which locals can report any incidents, whether it be of pet theft, restaurant and slaughterhouse locations or animals being transported for the trade. All these reports will help us advocate for long-term action against the dog and cat meat trade and help us save innocent lives. The tool is being piloted in Hoi An and the wider Quang Nam province, and in Da Nang. By the end of 2022, more than 150 reports had been received.
October 2022: 20 cities and regencies in Indonesia now committed to being dog meat trade free
Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java province, Kebumen Regency and Pekalongan city, both in Central Java, have all passed directives banning the dog meat trade. This brings the total number of cities and regencies in Indonesia that have passed local Directives prohibiting the trade from their jurisdictions to 20, generally citing concerns for disease (rabies) transmission, public health, and animal welfare. These directives are critical first steps to eliminating the dog meat trade and send strong messages to traders and consumers, and, if enforced, will save tens of thousands of dogs each month.
September 2022: 80 tourism companies pledge to support an end to the dog and cat meat trade
On World Tourism Day, FOUR PAWS highlighted the importance of travel that is respectful towards nature and the animals living in the holiday destination. The tourism sector plays a major role in responsible travel and 80 of the world’s leading tourism businesses have signed a FOUR PAWS pledge against the dog and cat meat trade. Traveling to another part of the world enables oneself to experience different cultures – however, it does not mean supporting immense animal suffering.
September 2022: Dogs rescued from slaughterhouse safe and sound in Switzerland
Brinkman, Rhodey, Sassy, Shark and Wanda were on route to a slaughterhouse near Siem Reap Cambodia when the transport was stopped by local authorities in February 2021. They were amongst the total of 61 traumatized, injured dogs saved that day. In September, the five dogs were brought to Switzerland to find new permanent homes. These resilient, happy pups have settled in well in their temporary new home as the team works to find loving families to adopt them.
June 2022: 33,000 Vietnamese supporters call for an end to the dog and cat meat trade
Following the launch of our "This is not Vietnam" campaign in December 2021, 33,000 people sent letters to the office of Deputy Prime Minister, Vu Duc Dam, asking for an end to the trade. These letters were symbolically handed over at our event in Hanoi "Vietnam and the World – Together to Protect Millions", where Vietnamese authorities, and representatives from the diplomatic sector and the tourism industry were present.
June 2022: Two more regencies and a city go dog meat free
The list of provinces that are putting an end to the cruel dog meat trade keeps growing: the Indonesian provincial capital Medan of North Sumatra passed the necessary regulations for the ban. This can be considered a massive win given that Medan city is a major hub for the dog meat trade, where up to 200 dogs are slaughtered every day. Almost at the same time, the regencies Temanggung and Magelang in Central Java also declared that they will join the movement and become dog meat free. While we are worried that the actual enforcement of these bans could bring some challenges ahead, we are excited about this major step in the right direction! Millions of dogs are killed for the dog meat trade in Southeast Asia. Please sign our petition against it.
June 2022: Dog slaughterhouse owner in Indonesia sentenced to 12 months in jail
The intercepted transportation of 53 dogs in Indonesia continues to create breaking news: After the driver of the truck was sentenced to prison a couple of weeks ago, now the owner of the slaughterhouse received his verdict that has put him in prison, along with receiving a 150 million Rupiah ($10,000 USD) fine. This marks the country’s third conviction of a dog meat trafficker since the national government’s declaration in 2018 that “dogs are not food.”
April 2022: Five cities and regencies in Indonesia pass directives to prohibit the dog meat trade
As a result of continued lobbying by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, of which FOUR PAWS is a member, five more cities and regencies have passed local directives prohibiting the dog meat trade in Central Java – Magelang City and Jepara and in East Java – Blitar City, Mojokerto City, Mojokerto Regency. Please sign our petition to help us end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia.
March 2022: Indonesian dog trafficker sentenced to 17 months in prison
Following the news of the dog meat truck owner going to trial in February 2022, we are pleased to report that the Indonesian dog trafficker has been sentenced to 17 months in prison. Despite the government’s declaration that dogs are not considered food, this is only the second conviction of a dog trafficker in Indonesia. Both cases send a strong message to those operating in this illegal trade, that it will not be tolerated.
February 2022: Semarang passes regulations to prohibit the dog meat trade city-wide
On 11th February 2022, the Mayor of Semarang City announced regulations explicitly prohibiting the dog meat trade city-wide. Officially signed on 27th January 2022, Semarang has now become the first capital city of the Central Java Province and the fifth region in Indonesia to pass such regulations. The announcement follows meetings in October 2021, between the Head of Agriculture Department and the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, which resulted in an agreement to introduce regulations on the prohibition of the dog meat trade in Semarang City.
February 2022: Owner of dog meat truck to go to trial in Indonesia!
Last November, 53 dogs were loaded on a truck, headed for slaughter. Unfortunately, this is nothing unusual in Indonesia. However, as we reported back then, this time local police stepped in and intercepted the truck on its way to the slaughterhouse. We have just learnt that authorities are sending the owner of the dog meat truck for trial. We see this as an encouraging sign that Indonesian officials want to end this illegal trade and will follow the progress of the case.
January 2022: Our #ProtectMillions petition exceeds 1.5 million signatures!
We have achieved many successes with our campaign. Thanks to your support, we are pleased to announce that our #ProtectMillions petition has now exceeded an amazing 1.5 million signatures. Help us reach our goal of 2 million signatures by signing and sharing our petition to end the dog and meat trade.
January 2022: Another Indonesian city goes dog meat free
Officials from the city of Malang in East Java, Indonesia have issued a Circular letter pertaining to the prohibition of the dog meat trade city-wide. Following three years of investigations and continued lobbying, the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, of which FOUR PAWS is a member, welcomes the move by Malang officials and we hope that more cities and provinces will follow. Please sign our petition to end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia.
December 2021: Vietnam establishes first ever dog and cat meat-free tourist-friendly city
BREAKING NEWS: We are excited to announce that FOUR PAWS and the Hoi An city government in Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to phase out the dog and cat meat trade in the city. Commitments from the Hoi An city government, within the two-year agreement, include the city becoming the first-ever dog and cat meat-free tourist friendly city in Vietnam, along with rabies eradication efforts and activities to improve companion animal welfare.
November 2021: Police in Indonesia intercept a notorious dog meat trader, saving over 50 terrified dogs awaiting slaughter
A dog meat trader in Java, Indonesia has been arrested, and a delivery truck packed with 53 dogs intercepted, as part of the country’s first ever large-scale police raid on an illegal dog meat slaughterhouse. As part of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, the local team rescued the dogs that were tied up in hessian sacks, with their mouths tightly bound with string. We consider the positive action taken by the Sukoharjo authorities as a turning point in fighting against this outlawed, outdated, and cruel trade. Read more here.
October 2021: Provincial capital city of Semarang to pass regulations to prohibit the dog meat trade in Indonesia
In October 2021, meetings attended by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, of which FOUR PAWS is a member, achieved ground-breaking results in Central Java. The announcement followed that the provincial capital city of Semarang will pass regulations to explicitly prohibit the dog meat trade city-wide. Additionally, Central Java will soon become the first province in Indonesia to promote mass education to support kinder societies through animal welfare education. With their enthusiastic approach and openness to collaboration, Central Java is set to become a flagship for other Indonesian provinces to follow.
Please sign our petition to #protectmillions.
October 2021: Dog meat trader sentenced to 10 months in prison and a $10,000 fine following police interception of 78 dogs in Indonesia
The dog meat trader in Kulon Progo, who illegally transported 78 dogs bound for slaughter, has been found guilty and sentenced to 10 months in prison and a fine of $10,000. Sadly 16 dogs did not survive the horror and brutality, but thankfully 62 were saved and taken to Ron Ron Dog Care for care. This guilty verdict sends a strong message to dog meat traders operating illegally that this trade will not be tolerated. This also sends a strong message to the authorities, who continue to let dog meat traders operate in their jurisdictions, that there are existing laws that make this trade illegal which should be acted upon.
August 2021: Historical moment as dog meat traders to be prosecuted after police interception of 78 dogs in Indonesia
Following a police interception of 78 dogs destined for slaughter for human consumption in May 2021, Kulon Progo District Attorney’s Office officials have confirmed that they will prosecute the traders. Just the interception itself was a monumental event as this hasn’t happened in Indonesia – and the prosecution is another monumental event for the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, of which FOUR PAWS is a member.
May 2021: 78 dogs intercepted on their way to slaughterhouse in Indonesia
Following the recent ban of dog meat in Salatiga, Indonesia, the police stopped a truck carrying 78 dogs headed to a slaughterhouse. This is the first ever interception of dogs destined for slaughter in the country! Sadly, several dogs had already died during the transport due to the horrible conditions, with another one sadly passing away later that evening, leaving 67 dogs alive. The Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, of which FOUR PAWS is member of, received a call to support taking care of these animals, of which many were injured and severely traumatized. This is a huge win as incidents like these add pressure to local governments to step up against this horrible trade that is happening right in front of their eyes. Please sign our petition to #protectmillions.
April 2021: Another Indonesian regency goes dog meat free
Sukoharjo Regency has become the latest region in the Indonesian province Central Java to announce an official ban on the sale and consumption of dog meat. The government has confirmed that this is a permanent ban.
This announcement follows bans passed by two other Central Java regencies: Wonogiri and Karanganyar. Central Java is key to ending the brutal dog meat trade in Indonesia given that there are thousands of dogs trafficked and slaughtered throughout the province every month, and the island is home to more than 50% of Indonesia’s human population. These bans are thanks to the dedication and preservice of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia coalition of which FOUR PAWS is a member. The more places we can add to that list, the higher the pressure for other regions to follow suit. Let's get that list of hope growing to #protectmillions - please sign our petition against the dog and cat meat trade.
April 2021: Largest dog meat restaurant in Siem Reap shut down by officials
Things are starting to happen in Cambodia: This restaurant was notorious for dog meat in the area, a common meet-up spot for locals as well as tourists wanting to try out what they might perceive as an exotic dish. However, what they were consuming is a meal prepared with tremendous animal suffering. The place had been in operation for more than 10 years, selling about 60 kilograms (approx. 132 lbs) of dog meat per day. We had investigated this horrible place before and are incredibly relieved that it is now out of business and no more dogs will be killed there.
Last summer, after discussions with FOUR PAWS, the Department of Agriculture declared an official ban on the dog meat trade, the first of its kind in Cambodia which is progressively being enforced as minivans are intercepted and restaurants closed. Due to COVID, the government has allowed these businesses a transition period to find other lines of work. We are glad to see the government start to act on their promises and hope that more dog meat venues will be closed down soon #ProtectMillions!
March 2021: FOUR PAWS Closes Major Slaughterhouse In Cambodia!
We close an infamous dog slaughterhouse in Skun, Cambodia and rescue the 16 remaining dogs held there. See what happened.
FEBRUARY 2021: Slaughterhouse-bound minivan carrying 61 dogs intercepted in Cambodia
The dogs were on their way to be slaughtered in Kampong Cham for their meat. FOUR PAWS teamed up with local organizations to provide emergency feeding and medication for the 61 rescued dogs. Read more here.
December 2020: The cat slaughterhouse is now shut down!
The sign is taken down, the 20 cats and 5 dogs are out and in our care, and no animal will ever have to die at the former slaughterhouse in Thai Binh, Vietnam. Read more!
Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.
December 2020: ONE MILLION people worldwide have signed our petition to #ProtectMillions of animals from the dog and cat meat trade!
We’ve achieved incredible things in the last year for cats and dogs in Southeast Asia, none of which would have been possible without your help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every one of you who has signed and shared our petition.
November 2020: Freedom Flight to the U.S.
11 more dogs are scheduled to fly to the U.S. for adoption
August 2020: More Freedom Flights
Three dogs, Andy, Mason and Daisy, make their journey to the U.S.
Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.
AUGUST 2020: Release of Report and video on The Cat Meat Trade in Vietnam
FOUR PAWS and Change For Animals Foundation published a first-of-its-kind report on Vietnam’s cat meat trade in English, German and Vietnamese. This video, from footage collected during the investigation, was also released. Read our press release here!
August 2020: FOUR PAWS shuts down dog slaughterhouse in Cambodia critical to the trade
Thousands of dogs are spared a gruesome death by drowning, choking, and asphyxiation. Read our press release here!
Read the story of the rescued dogs here!
May 2020: Joint Letter to Vietnamese Government
FOUR PAWS is a member of the Asia Canine Protection Alliance who organized and sent a letter to Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam about the risks of the Dog and Cat Meat Trade. Read the full letter here: https://bit.ly/OpenLetterVietnam
FEBRUARY 2020: We release groundbreaking report on the Dog and Cat Meat Trade in Southeast Asia
We released a first-of-its-kind report on the Dog and Cat Meat Trade in Southeast Asia in English, German, Vietnamese and Khmer, bringing attention to the scale, illegal workings, and health risks of the dog and cat meat trade.
We met with the deputy governor and multiple officials of the government of Siem Reap, home to the world-famous Angkor Wat, and presented our report. The government agreed to look into the trade and ways of addressing the issues it poses.
February 2020: Petition reaches 500,000 signatures
Our petition reaches 500,000 signatures in less than 5 months. Sign our petition now and #ProtectMillions!
JANUARY 2020: FOUR PAWS Actions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read more here.
December 2019: Rescued Slaughterhouse Dogs Fly to the U.S.
6 dogs, Boomer, Maddie, Gabby, Hope, Archie and Widget, take their Freedom Flight
October 2019: First Freedom Flights
Six dogs, Bates, Bene, Nicky, Quentin, Sopol, and Neary, are flown from Cambodia to the U.S. for adoption
Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.
October 2019: Closure of a slaughterhouse in Cambodia
We close a slaughterhouse in Takeo province, Cambodia, where 2,000 dogs were killed every year, helping the restaurant owner to move to a cruelty-free business farming rice and selling water. We rescue 10 dogs during this closure, and rehabilitate them over the coming months. Read our press release here!
OCTOBER 2019: Launch of the petition and our campaign
We launch our petition and campaign page urging the governments of Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam to take action against the trade, aiming for 1 million signatures. Sign our petition now and #ProtectMillions!
SEPTEMBER 2019: We launch Program Dharma with the Bali Animal Welfare Association
Program Dharma will work to investigate and fight the Dog Meat Trade and improve Stray Animal Care in Bali. Read more here!
SEPTEMBER 2019: Interception of 51 dogs destined for the meat trade by authorities in Thanh Hoa province in Vietnam
On-the-ground medical care is provided to rescued dogs by the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (of which FOUR PAWS is a member). Read more here!
JULY 2019: 77 stalls selling dog meat have been closed in Bali
In Bali, Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination, a total of 77 stalls selling dog meat have been closed, with the authorities stating that they will continue to take action against those who continue to trade in and sell dog meat. The Head of Animal Health stated that the sale of dog meat is 'clearly prohibited (by law) because dog meat is not considered food' and the trade has the 'potential to spread the dangerous rabies virus'. Get more details here.
JUNE 2019: Indonesia's Regency of Karanganyar in Java pledges an action plan to end its brutal dog meat trade, saving almost 2,000 dogs each month from slaughter
The action plan involves closing 21 stalls selling dog meat in the regency, and the creation of alternative livelihoods for people currently reliant on the trade.
June 2019: FOUR PAWS holds 'Hero Dogs' workshop on the dog meat trade, with our government partner Cambodian Mine Action Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
For the first time in Cambodia, more than 70 participants from key government agencies and important stakeholders met to discuss the important role dogs play in Khmer society and commit to tackling the dog meat trade.
May 2019: FOUR PAWS partners with Jakarta Animal Aid Network
The first of its kind in Indonesia, an online educational toolkit will provide desperately needed resources on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership for the general public, teachers, and students throughout the country.
December 2018: FOUR PAWS signs MOU with Cambodian Mine Action Centre to end the dog meat trade in Cambodia
Government officials begin to recognize the importance of ending the trade for human health and animal welfare. Get more details here.
December 2018: FOUR PAWS starts 'Cats Matter Too program' alongside Vietnamese partners
This exciting program in Central Vietnam collaborates with local groups Vietnam Cat Welfare in Hoi An and PAWS for Compassion in Da Nang to tackle the cruel cat meat trade. Read more here!
October 2018: FOUR PAWS' Indonesian team holds a medical clinic in Manado, Indonesia
The clinic provides vital medical care to dogs and cats at the Animal Friends Manado Indonesia shelter, many of whom had been rescued from the extreme live animal markets of Tomohon. During the clinic, a total of 64 dogs and cats were sterilised and provided medical care.
September 2018: Indonesian government pledges to take action against dog meat trade
After lobbying and public campaigns by 'Dog Meat Free Indonesia', of which FOUR PAWS is a member, the Indonesia government issues a directive to provinces to end the dog meat trade.
September 2018: In Hanoi, Vietnam officials report dog meat sales will be banned in the city center by 2021
This announcement is a positive step forward in ending the trade, but FOUR PAWS continues to work to ensure action is taken to protect Vietnam's cats and dogs.
June 2018: FOUR PAWS launches Saving Pagoda Animals program in Cambodia
In collaboration with Animal Rescue Cambodia, FOUR PAWS provides veterinary training, free spay/neuter services and animal welfare education initiatives targeting Buddhist pagodas in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Read more here!
