Operation of Gwanak-gu 'Emergency and Severe Trauma Treatment Center for Abandoned Animals'

Medical Support for 40 Urgent and Severe Trauma Abandoned and Lost Animals Under Protection at Animal Protection Center... Providing Medical Care Regardless of Adoption Confirmation, Contributing to Closing Treatment Blind Spots for Abandoned Animals

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is operating the "Emergency and Severe Trauma Treatment Center for Abandoned Animals" to provide prompt and effective treatment for emergency and severe trauma cases of abandoned animals occurring within the district.

The center offers medical support for lost and abandoned animals requiring immediate emergency care due to accidents or those with severe trauma that are difficult to treat at animal protection centers, aiming to improve animal protection standards and increase adoption rates.

Until now, Seoul City has operated three emergency treatment centers and rescue teams for abandoned animals during holidays and nighttime since last year to establish a 24-hour seamless rescue, protection, and treatment system.

However, admission to Seoul City's emergency treatment centers was limited to cases where an adopter had been confirmed, making it impossible for abandoned animals without confirmed adoption to use the facilities.

To address this issue, the district accepted proposals from the "Gwanak-gu Council Research Group with Animals" (Council members Wang Jeong-sun, Min Young-jin, Kim Soon-mi) and began operating its own emergency treatment center for abandoned animals starting in June.

The Emergency and Severe Trauma Treatment Center for Abandoned Animals is operated at a significantly reduced cost of 50-70% exclusively for Gwanak-gu's abandoned animals, thanks to the talent donation from the Emergency Medical Center (Department of Emergency Medicine, Professor Kim Min-su) at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital.

Through this, medical support will be provided for 40 abandoned animals in critical condition under protection at the animal protection center and those with severe trauma requiring highly specialized treatment.

Meanwhile, the district has previously received the "Minister of the Interior and Safety Award (Excellence Award)" in the public and local government category at the "2020 Korea Animal Welfare Awards" for implementing various animal welfare policies aimed at creating a "Happy Gwanak with Companion Animals."

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, "By operating the emergency treatment center, we will establish a medical support system where lost and abandoned animals in the region can receive treatment unconditionally, taking the lead in eliminating blind spots in abandoned animal treatment. We will continue to actively promote various animal welfare projects in cooperation with the local community and residents to create a happier Gwanak-gu where people and companion animals live together."