Dr. Katherine Polak

04/04/2025

Today, on World Stray Animals Day, we recognize the millions of dogs and cats around the world who live without homes—but not without hope. Our Healthy Pets, Healthier Communities program in South Africa is proving that change is possible when we invest in compassionate, community-driven solutions.

Through free and low-cost veterinary care, humane education, and strong partnerships, we’re ensuring that animals in underserved areas receive the care they deserve. In 2024 alone, this program reached 3,774 animals, performing 1,213 spay/neuter surgeries and achieving over 80% sterilization rates in several towns—helping to break the cycle of overpopulation and suffering.

Behind every number is a story of impact: a once-itching dog now free of fleas, a beloved cat vaccinated against disease, and a community that is healthier, safer, and more connected because of the human-animal bond.

27/03/2025

Across many cities in India, the relationship between people and street dogs is complex — a mix of compassion, concern, and, sometimes, conflict. But what if there was a way to create safer, healthier communities for both humans and dogs?

In Lucknow, that's exactly what's happening. Humane World for Animals in collaboration with the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, is implementing a science-based, humane street dog management programme. Through a combination of community engagement, Animal Birth Control (ABC) initiatives, and education, this approach is not only stabilizing the street dog population but also improving public health and fostering coexistence.

Over the past six years, the team has sterilized, rabies vaccinated and prepared 89,000 dogs like Brownie for a healthier future in Lucknow, India. With 84% of dogs in Lucknow now spayed and neutered, we’re on our way to making Lucknow a safer place for countless street dogs and people.

25/03/2025

Back from South Africa, where the need for increased access to veterinary care is undeniable. Each morning, long lines of dedicated pet owners formed, seeking essential services like flea and tick treatment, vaccinations, and food for their beloved animals. Just down the street, a community center was transformed into a mobile spay-neuter clinic, providing free surgeries to those who need them most.

We are proud to be expanding this groundbreaking work, reaching more underserved townships across South Africa. Every pet deserves care, and every community deserves access. Humane World for Animals

11/03/2025

Excited to be headed back to South Africa this week to visit our Humane World for Animals Healthy Pets, Healthier Community program in Cape Agulhas. This program provides vital veterinary care and education to underserved communities, improving the health and well-being of both animals and people. Through free spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and treatment for common diseases, we help reduce pet overpopulation and prevent the spread of zoonotic illnesses. Our community-driven approach ensures that pet owners receive the knowledge and resources they need to provide better care, fostering a more compassionate and sustainable relationship between people and animals.

26/02/2025

Thrilled to receive the 2025 ICON Award in Veterinary Medicine, thanks to the The Bridge Club.

26/07/2023

The horrors at Tomohon at extreme market have haunted me for years following initial investigations in 2018. Second probably only to the market in Wuhan, China, this market is notorious for mass live animal trafficking and slaughter. The blowtorching of live cats and dogs in the thousands every month led to not only unimaginable animal suffering but also contributed to the public health risk that comes with the mass trafficking and slaughter of unvaccinated dogs, largely due to rabies.

This week, that all changed. Thanks to the incredible work of Lola Webber and our local partners in Indonesia, Tomohon market became officially dog and cat meat free, and all 6 slaughterhouses supplying dogs and cats to the market were closed, with traders transitioning to other livelihoods. Working hand in hand with the Mayor's office and the traders themselves, Humane Society International was able to secure a ban, and help ensure its enforcement. Most people said this would never be possible.

A total of 25 dogs and 3 cats were rescued, the last animals ever destined for slaughter in the market. With the help of our friends at Animal Friends Manado Indonesia, a temporary facility has been established to rehabilitate and treat these animals. These animals have a long way to go - many suffer from severe, infected bite wounds from the dogs attacking each other during their 20+ hour journeys after being trafficked, and other infectious diseases. Many are physiologically traumatized, it will take a long time for them to trust humans again.

This was made possible with the support of our amazing Humane Society International - India colleagues, who are helping get these animals the medical care they need and our friends at Dog Meat Free Indonesia who continue to pave the way for ending the dog and cat meat trades nationwide.

So incredibly proud of this team and is one step closer towards a .

22/07/2023

It's official. 💪 After years of campaigning, one of Asia's most notorious live animal markets, Tomohon Extreme Market became officially dog and cat meat-free. The permanent end of the slaughter and trade was announced Friday by the regional secretary of the city of Tomohon.

Humane Society International is currently on the ground rescuing all remaining dogs and cats from the 6 slaughterhouses supplying the market. Stay tuned ...

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-07-21/indonesian-animal-market-has-ended-its-brutal-dog-and-cat-meat-trade-campaigners-say

The Indonesian 'extreme' animal market was listed on TripAdvisor. Images of dogs and cats being bludgeoned and blow-torched sparked outrage.

28/05/2023

This week, Humane Society International/Korea launched a stunning portrait exhibition of South Korean dog meat trade survivors in Seoul. In an exhibition called Beyond Prejudice by award-winning French photographer Sophie Gamand and HSI/Korea, the event aims to show the dogs' beauty and resilience one month ahead of the annual Bok Nal dog meat 'season'.

This unique exhibition comes to the Seoul Metro Art Centre in Gyeongbokgung Station from May 28 to June 1, approximately one month before the start of Bok Nal when dog meat consumption typically increases in South Korea, and at a time of considerable political and social momentum for a ban on the dog meat industry.

It is estimated that up to 1 million dogs a year are intensively bred for human consumption in South Korea. In addition to tosas and Jindo crosses, commonly thought of as 'dog meat breeds', all breeds of dogs can be found on dog meat farms including Labradors, huskies, beagles and spaniels. We hope to showcase the resilience, beauty and individuality of these dogs, rebranding them as the true survivors that they are. 🐶🐶🐶

06/05/2023

🐕🇻🇳🐕

01/05/2023

Humane Society International had the opportunity to support work in Pata Rat, Europe's largest waste-related ghetto. Approximately 1,500 people, most Roma communities live in informal settlements around a sprawling landfill. Most live off of what they can find in the landfill and housing is made from scavenged materials. Hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, and pigs also call this area home.

This week, multiple Romanian NGOs came together in an impressive collaborative effort to support a lifesaving initiative for the animals living here, led by TAC.social. Over the week, hundreds of dogs are receiving much needed veterinary care including spay/neuter surgery, microchip/registration, vaccination and endo/ecto parasite treatment. A total of three mobile surgical vehicles and multiple catching/community engagement teams are working in tandem to reach as many animals as possible.

18/03/2023

One step closer towards a future where animals are valued and protected, not consumed as food. Last week, Jakarta, Indonesia publicly announced a formal ban on the dog and cat meat trade; the significance of this announcement cannot be understated. It represents a step towards a more compassionate and ethical society, as well as a recognition of the negative impacts of the dog meat trade on both animals and humans. Thank you Dog Meat Free Indonesia for making this a reality!

12/03/2023

After more than 28 years in operation, this dog meat farm is finally closed once and for all.

Thanks to the amazing work of Humane Society International - Korea, with support from our team around the world, almost 200 dogs were rescued from unimaginable cruelty.

The closure comes at a time of increasing public and political support for ending the dog meat industry. This is the 18th dog meat farm permanently closed by HSI/Korea, resulting in the rescue of more than 2,700 dogs since the program began.