Dr. Katherine Polak

27/08/2025

In Mexico, companion animals face enormous challenges: shelter euthanasia rates have historically been among the highest in the world, affordable vet care is often out of reach, and a rampant gifting culture of pets frequently leads to abandonment when families can’t cope. Low spay/neuter rates only add to the cycle of overpopulation.

That’s why I’m so proud of our Humane World for Animals Mexico team. Through their mobile veterinary clinic pilot, they’ve already exceeded their 2025 goal, treating more than 3,000 dogs and cats in just the first half of the year. These clinics bring free, lifesaving services like vaccines, deworming, and flea/tick treatment directly into underserved communities.

One small but powerful story: Pat, a puppy who survived parvovirus thanks to emergency care from the mobile team, is now healthy and thriving.

Every Friday and Saturday, the mobile clinic continues rolling into neighborhoods where it’s needed most, changing the future for animals and families alike.

https://lnkd.in/etXAGcvT

01/08/2025

Earlier this week in Seoul, more than 100 people and their dogs joined Humane World for Animals Korea’s “BoksRun at Bok Nal” - a symbolic walk marking South Korea’s historic decision to end the dog meat trade.

Participants walked 4,600 steps, representing the estimated 460,000 dogs still trapped in the trade. The event replaced a day once associated with dog meat consumption with something far more powerful: joy, advocacy, and progress.

09/05/2025

Today is rescue day here in South Korea with Humane World for Animals. A dog farm that has been in operation for more than 40 years is finally closed. Since securing a legislative ban on the dog meat trade last year, an estimated 50% of all dog farms are scheduled to close by the end of this year year. This farm, like so many, are already closing their doors for good.

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.