Buying a Dog with Emergency Disaster Relief Funds?… Controversy Over Usage of Support Funds

Expert: "Indiscriminate Sale Practices Lead to Abuse and Neglect"

Amid the government's distribution of emergency disaster relief funds due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, controversy has arisen as some pet adoption agencies are promoting that pets can be adopted using the emergency disaster relief funds. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Amid the government's distribution of emergency disaster relief funds to revitalize economic activities due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), some pet adoption businesses (pet shops) have been promoting that pets can be purchased with the relief funds, drawing criticism that this goes against the original purpose of the support funds. On the other hand, there are also claims that it is a consumer's personal right, leading to intense controversy.

Experts pointed out that the perception that pets can be easily purchased is a cause leading to animal abuse and abandonment.

Recently, some pet shops promoted through blogs that "pets can be purchased with emergency disaster relief funds." The business stated, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of customers coming to adopt puppies has doubled compared to usual," and "Recently, the price of pet adoption has increased significantly, but at our business, adoption of pets is possible with emergency disaster relief funds," promoting this message.

As this fact became known, netizens expressed negative reactions, saying they could not understand it.

A 28-year-old office worker A, who revealed that they raise a pet cat, said, "Pets are not goods, so does it make sense to promote buying animals with that money?" and added, "Some pet shops are trying to use the government's relief funds as a means to make money. Animals are not items that can be easily bought and sold like toys."

A said, "The very idea of getting a pet for free just because you have extra money is worrisome. Buying a pet with relief funds feels like a consumable meaning that if you don't have money, you can abandon it anytime," and pointed out, "Pets are not just about adoption. More expenses are needed afterward. Can an owner who thought of getting a pet for free raise that pet healthily and happily in the future?"

Recently, numerous posts have appeared mainly on online site blogs claiming that "emergency disaster relief funds can be used to purchase pets," causing controversy. Photo by portal site screen capture

There is also criticism that purchasing pets with emergency disaster relief funds does not align with the original intent.

A netizen B said, "Emergency disaster relief funds are emergency living expenses provided due to the impact of COVID-19. Buying pets is not necessarily an essential expense," and added, "There are plenty of other uses such as groceries and daily necessities besides pet shops. Using the funds specifically to buy pets seems inappropriate."

On the other hand, some argue that excessive criticism of individuals using emergency disaster relief funds according to their needs is unwarranted.

Another netizen C said, "Emergency disaster relief funds were provided by the government to promote economic circulation and consumption. Pet shops are legitimate private businesses and self-employed people. As long as the government has not prohibited spending the money on something, it is not anyone's business what someone consumes with it," they claimed.

Experts expressed concern that the easy buying and selling of pets could lead to animal abuse and abandonment.

Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Association, recently commented on such pet shop promotional activities, saying, "It seems they are overlooking the fact that pets are living beings," and "Buying and selling pets easily with emergency disaster relief funds encourages impulsive purchases of pets irresponsibly and indiscriminately. Easy buying and selling of pets ultimately leads to animal abuse and abandonment," he warned.

He continued, "While the act of adopting out animals itself is not illegal, the number of abandoned animals is increasing every year due to indiscriminate and irresponsible pet adoption," and emphasized, "In countries abroad, selling pets in pet shops is completely banned, and only adoption is allowed. People need to understand that purchasing pets from pet shops itself supports animal abuse."