Guwahati: In what animal welfare groups describe as one of the biggest setbacks to the dog meat trade in northeast India in recent years, three long-time dog meat wholesalers in Nagaland have permanently abandoned the business after more than two decades, surrendering the last 18 dogs in their possession and switching to alternative livelihoods.
The three wholesalers, who supplied dogs to meat markets in Dimapur and Mokokchung districts as well as neighbouring Manipur, have joined a livelihood transition programme that trains former traders in sustainable businesses such as mushroom cultivation and pickle making.
Their exit is expected to significantly disrupt a key supply chain of the trade, which depends on networks of traffickers, wholesalers and vendors to move dogs into markets across Nagaland and other northeastern states.
The transition was facilitated under the Models for Change programme, implemented by grassroots NGO Pro Rural with support from Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International/India).
As part of their decision to leave the trade, the wholesalers voluntarily surrendered the surviving 18 dogs they had recently purchased. Many of the rescued animals were immediately adopted by families in Nagaland, while the rest have been moved to shelters in Assam for veterinary care, rehabilitation and eventual adoption. All the dogs were examined, treated, vaccinated and microchipped before being transported.
The development comes as the livelihood programme gains momentum in Nagaland. Since its launch in 2025, 30 women dog meat vendors have already exited the trade, with another 30 expected to join the programme in the coming months.
According to Humane World for Animals India, many people involved in the trade had remained in it because they lacked viable economic alternatives. The programme seeks to provide training, mentoring and financial support to help them establish safer and more sustainable businesses.
“The dog meat trade exploits people in vulnerable socio-economic situations,” said Keren Nazareth, Senior Director of Companion Animals and Engagement at Humane World for Animals India.
“Changing that isn’t just about rescuing dogs. It’s also about disrupting a system that exposes women to physical and financial risks and communities to preventable health risks such as rabies. We are grateful to these wholesalers for making the courageous decision to leave the trade and hope others will follow.”
Wangshikokla Jamir, Project Coordinator at Pro Rural, said many women involved in the trade wanted a different future but lacked opportunities.
“Our programme gives them the training, mentoring and practical support to build livelihoods that are safe, humane and sustainable. We are seeing more women reaching out to join,” she said.
One of the former wholesalers said the decision had been under consideration for a long time.
“I received pickle-making training in May and within a couple of months I exited the trade. Besides making pickles, I have started a small shop and plan to learn mushroom cultivation and baking. I want others in the trade to know there are more humane businesses available,” the former trader said.
Animal welfare groups say dogs sold in the meat trade are often stolen or captured from villages in neighbouring states before being transported into Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Besides concerns over animal cruelty, the trade has also been linked to the spread of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
Humane World for Animals India said it will continue working with local organisations, communities and law enforcement agencies across the region to curb the trade through animal rescue, community engagement, rabies prevention and livelihood transition programmes.
The organisation has been working in India since 2012 on programmes covering street dog welfare, wildlife protection, farm animal welfare, disaster response and cruelty prevention.