Pets Raised Out of Loneliness During COVID-19... Now Being Forced Onto the Streets

One in Four Koreans Own Pets
130,000 Pets Abandoned Last Year... 21% Euthanized
Experts: "Awareness and Consciousness Change Among Pet Owners Is Crucial"

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the time people spend at home, more individuals are adopting pets to alleviate boredom and loneliness. However, impulsive adoptions followed by an inability to afford monthly care expenses have led to cases of pet abandonment or relinquishment, becoming a social issue.

In particular, some people have cruelly abused pets before abandoning them, sparking public outrage. Experts emphasize that one must not neglect the duties and responsibilities toward pets due to impulsive adoption.

Recently, the number of 'Petfam' (Pet + Family) who consider pets as family members has steadily increased. According to the '2021 Korea Pet Report' published by KB Financial Group Management Research Institute, as of the end of last year, 14.48 million people owned pets, and pet-owning households accounted for 29.7% of all households. This means that one in four Koreans owns a pet.

Especially after the spread of COVID-19, with outdoor activities significantly restricted, many people feeling frustrated and lonely have adopted pets.

Office worker Park (25) also adopted a Shiba Inu in June last year. He said, "I have always liked dogs and wanted to raise one. But since I live alone, I was worried because there was no one to take care of the dog when I went to work." He added, "However, due to COVID-19, I started working from home and had fewer appointments with acquaintances, so I thought I could afford to raise a dog and decided to adopt one."

Last May, a dog was found abandoned in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, with its eyes severely damaged, sparking controversy. Photo by Animal Protection Management System.

The problem is that as the number of pet owners increases, the number of abandoned animals left on the streets is also rising.

According to the '2020 Survey on the Protection and Welfare of Pets' released by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 130,401 lost or abandoned animals were rescued or protected last year. This means that about 357 pets are found on the streets every day. However, when including abandoned animals not captured in the statistics, the actual number is expected to be higher.

Among the rescued lost or abandoned animals, the outcomes were adoption (29.6%), natural death (25.1%), euthanasia (20.8%), return to owner (11.4%), and protection (10.4%).

Some owners cruelly abused animals before abandoning them, causing public outrage. In May, in Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province, a dog was found abandoned with both eyes severely damaged, sparking controversy. At that time, the abandoned dog had hollowed-out eyes and was reported to be in a severe condition with pus oozing from its face.

Meanwhile, in February, the story of an abandoned dog named 'Sunsu,' wandering the streets with a damaged nose and mouth, drew sympathy.

A netizen who said they rescued and are currently caring for Sunsu posted on Instagram, "(Sunsu) was rescued with his nose and mouth cut off due to abuse, and a cable tie was tightened around his neck, digging into the flesh." They added, "Humans and dogs are clearly different species, but they have been family who have shared long-term interaction and coexistence."

Given this situation, citizens point out the need to strengthen punishments for pet abuse and abandonment. Although the government strengthened penalties for animal abuse and abandonment in February, there is a growing opinion that harsher punishments are necessary as related incidents continue to recur.

Kim (27), an owner of a Pomeranian, said, "It is inappropriate to keep animals merely as tools to alleviate one's loneliness. Raising animals requires responsibility, and costs such as care and medical expenses cannot be ignored." He added, "Only those who are prepared should raise animals."

He continued, "Strong punishments are needed for those who impulsively decide to adopt pets and then abandon them," adding, "I hope animal-related laws will be further strengthened."

The government strengthened penalties for animal abuse and abandonment in February. According to the revised law, those who kill animals in cruel ways face up to three years in prison or fines up to 30 million won. Additionally, owners who abandon animals face fines up to 3 million won, increased from previous administrative fines.

Experts point out that although penalties for animal abandonment and abuse have been raised, they are still insufficient.

Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Association, said, "There are many cases of indiscriminate pet adoption followed by abandonment or relinquishment. Also, many abandon their responsibilities and duties due to burdens such as care expenses after impulsive adoption." He added, "Although punishments for abandonment have been increased, related crimes still occur. Changing the awareness and consciousness of pet owners is important."

He continued, "Just as the term changed from 'pet' to 'companion animal,' including the meaning of family, social recognition that animals are family must spread. For this, related campaign activities need to be carried out, and institutional measures should be supplemented." He emphasized, "One must not neglect the responsibilities and duties toward companion animals."