Jeonju City Creates an 'Animal-Friendly City' Where People and Animals Are Happy

Rescue of 1,008 Abandoned Animals in the First Half of the Year, 444 Adopted

The Animal Rehabilitation Center is conducting basic etiquette and pet etiquette education for prospective adopters. Photo by Jeonju City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do, has become the first local government to designate and operate an abandoned animal rehabilitation center to create an animal-friendly city where people and animals can be happy.

According to the city on the 14th, since March, 10 animal hospitals have been operating as abandoned animal protection centers, rescuing a total of 1,008 abandoned animals in the first half of the year. Among the rescued abandoned animals, 187 returned to their owners, and 444 were re-adopted.

Along with the abandoned animal protection centers, the city has been operating an abandoned animal rehabilitation center since March to prevent euthanasia in cases where animals are not adopted even after being protected for a certain period at the protection center. So far, a total of 98 abandoned dogs have been admitted and cared for.

Among them, 25 were adopted by the general public and social welfare facilities, and currently, 22 dogs?including pets of psychiatric hospital patients and prison inmates who have abandoned their animals, as well as animals suspected of abuse?have been urgently rescued and are undergoing training in preparation for adoption.

Professional trainers at the abandoned animal rehabilitation center conduct programs such as basic training, taming, social adaptation training, and grooming for abandoned dogs over approximately two months. For prospective adopters, they also provide basic education and pet etiquette training to prevent cases of re-abandonment.

In this regard, the city has been actively promoting the pet registration system, focusing on animal-related businesses and pet owners, to prevent pet abandonment and increase return rates.

Additionally, to prevent diseases in companion dogs, the city has been conducting rabies vaccinations, operating group feeding stations for stray cats, and performing neutering surgeries. In the first half of the year, 588 stray cats underwent neutering surgery.

With the increase in the pet population, the number of abandoned animals is also rising. The city plans to continue protection activities for abandoned and companion animals to create an animal-friendly city where people and animals live happily together.

Park Yongja, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, “Through the operation of the abandoned animal protection center and rehabilitation center, we will raise awareness of respect for life and take the lead in protecting animals. We will continue to focus on pioneering animal welfare policies that differentiate us from other regions.”