Help us extend the ban on the slaughter and consumption of dog in Cambodia by signing and sharing our petition below. Khmer petition here.
Every year in Cambodia, between 2-3 million dogs are slaughtered for their meat.
Using poisoned bait and machetes – or sometimes traded for cooking pots in poorer areas – dogs are beaten and forced into cramped motorcycle cages, with up to 10 others per bike, packed in so tight they can’t move.
Those that survive the broken bones, wounds and dehydration face execution via drowning, bludgeoning, electrocution and choking, while live beatings in sacks are administered to ‘tenderise’ their meat. While many of these are strays, collars often found on victims.
The Siem Reap ban of 2020 showed that Cambodia can thrive without it. Rabies, Cholera, E. coli, salmonella, Trichinella parasites and residual poisons threaten not just those who consume it – but the trade puts every single Cambodian at risk. Cambodia has one of the highest rabies death rates per capita of any country in the world. But since the provincial ban, dog related deaths have decreased, showing that the global rabies campaign Zero by 30 will only be possible through cooperation between NGOs and governments to end the trade for good.
This isn’t about Westerners interfering or valuing one species over another; its about taking the most effective steps to improve animal welfare and public safety in Cambodia. Spay and neuter campaigns are vital to control diseases in areas with high stray counts, but many NGOs won’t work in Cambodia until the trade is banned. We ourselves have lost dogs who have recovered with our help.
Animals of Our World is choosing 2026 as the year to end the slaughter, trade and consumption of dogs across all of Cambodia for good. By working with a coalition of Cambodian and International organisations, we will stop this dangerous, violent and cruel practice.
90% of Cambodians (including our Khmer team) want to see this cruelty end. Will you help them be heard?
Our plan
By working with a range of animal rights charities and people focussed NGOs, we will work on:
Education – Working with the school curriculum on workbooks and workshops, information about stray dogs and rabies reduction will keep a generation safe. Leaflets and resources dispelling the health myths about the often-diseased meat will also be distributed.
Sterilisation and Vaccination – A huge part of our mission is controlling diseases and population numbers for stray animals. Working towards herd immunity massively reduces suffering for both humans and animals.
Retraining – Those involved in the trade often express a “desperation to exit“. We will work to ensure a smooth transition to a sustainable career, as proven possible after the 2020 Siem Reap ban.
Rescue, outreach and adoption – With your help, we will continue our work to provide safety for those who need it.
Our petition
Signatures
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You can also share our Care2 Petition link here.
Please check your email to validate the signature.
If you are signing the petition because you are against the idea of dogs being exploited, please also acknowledge that exploiting other species isn’t right either. You can find out more about this here.
Our Appeal
Meet Zola, a survivor
Please sign and share our campaign for the millions of dogs like her, but weren’t as lucky.
WARNING. GRAPHIC IMAGES
Footage we have obtained, including of a caged Piccalilli, who is now safe in our sanctuary.
Where do we draw the line?
Rusty and JJ are ambassadors, not just for dogs, but for all animals who deserve love but need our help to be free. Find out more here.
What Cambodians want
Khmer people overwhelmingly want this to end. It is estimated just 10% of the population, mostly men, consume dog. There is no need.
In The Media
A stolen pet. A terrified animal crammed into a rusted cage. A family left wondering why their dog never came home. Behind Cambodia’s little-discussed dog meat trade lies a world of cruelty, grief, and growing public health fears—one that animal welfare advocates say can no longer be ignored.
Now, campaigners are pushing for urgent nationwide action, warning that the slaughter of an estimated three million dogs each year is not only inhumane but also a serious public health threat in a country that continues to battle one of the world’s highest rabies death rates per capita.
Read more on Cambodianess here.
Endorsements
Want to add your endorsement of the petition or help us further our goal? Contact hos@animalsofourworld.co.uk
Report what you see
The most obvious sign of dog catchers in Cambodia you’ll see are the motorbikes with metal pots. These are traded with locals for their pets, exploiting those in need to part with their loved ones.
Our friends at Four Paws have just created their Dog and Cat Meat reporting tool to gather data on the trades. You can report any activities here.