KAWA — Korean Animal Welfare Association (Animal Freedom Korea)

The Korean Animal Welfare Association (동물자유연대, sometimes translated as Animal Freedom Korea) was set up in 2000 by Cho Hee-kyung and Lee Ok-kyung, after Korean animal lovers came together in 1999 to stop a bill that would have legalised dog meat. It describes itself as the largest non-profit for animals in Korea, and over 25 years it has campaigned for repeated reforms of the Animal Protection Act, the law on zoos and aquariums, the ban on cosmetics testing on animals and the special act ending the dog meat trade.

Rescued animals go to its own shelters, known as the On Center. The dog shelter, On Dog, opened in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, in 2013 as one of Korea's first shelters built around animal welfare rather than basic survival, with exercise yards, play areas, a building for elderly dogs, behaviour and socialisation staff and its own animal hospital. A second centre for cats, On Cat, opened in Paju in 2022 with outdoor catios and a large visitor yard. Both take in animals from cruelty cases, animal hoarders, illegal breeding operations and farms, and from disasters such as the 2025 Gyeongbuk wildfires.

According to its own 2025 review, its team went to 127 rescue call-outs and saved 191 animals, and took action on 35 cruelty cases. In December 2025 On Dog was caring for 364 animals (269 at the centre, the rest in partner kennels, foster homes or hospital) and had rehomed 130 during the year, 23 of them abroad, while On Cat cared for 125 cats and rehomed 85. It also pays vet bills for animals rescued by members of the public, funds small grassroots rescues and community cat groups, and in 2025 helped move 14 bears from bile farms to the new sanctuary in Gurye.

To adopt, browse the dogs and cats on its website and apply online; adoption counselling is on option 3 of the main phone line. You can also volunteer at the On Center, sponsor a particular animal, or give monthly. Overseas supporters can donate by PayPal through the English donation page. KAWA is an incorporated association (sadan beobin) with non-profit ID number 206-82-06985, and it publishes monthly income and spending reports and externally audited annual accounts on its website.